Meanwhile in the forest ...

The forest is full of fresh blooms.  Drooping Trillium are opening along the hillside.  As are Lilly of the Valley.  And just behind the brush of the marsh road a big bed of bugleweed have invaded and are blooming as well.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Red in the Forest

The hillside forest along the creek has some red spots. Red Columbine are in bloom.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Fresh in the Forest

Large Flowered Bellwort and Jack-in-the-pulpits can now be found along the path in the forest. 

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Visiting Next Door

Virginia Waterleaf

Wild Geranium

I headed next door today - to French Regional Park.  I thought I might find this flower - Virginia Waterleaf.  Although there are some along our marsh road, the 'haircut' timing usually prevents us from seeing this blossom.  Maybe this year it will be different.  Most at French are not quite open as well.  Wild Geranium are blooming in abundance though.  




Aside from these, I found a little Water Horsetail drenched in dew.

Enjoy!

~ Robin
  

Red in the Forest

One might ask, since when is white red?  When it produces fruit!  This white flower is Red Baneberry.  It is starting to flower in the forest.  

Also, a more traditionally red flower - Red Columbine is flowering.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

New In the Wood: Large and Little in the Rain

A day of on and off light rain has brought some new spring wildflowers on the scene.  Like this Large-Flowered Bellwort.  A number of patches of Wood Anemone are popping up as well.  They are just waiting for a patch of sunlight to coax their blooms open.  Little-leaf Buttercups are opening as well.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Beauty of the Underside

Click to enlarge

The carpet of leaves on the forest floor has a beauty all her own.  When coupled with a reflective pool, it reminds me of the under wing of a butterfly.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Photos taken at Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge.

White Flower, Red Baneberry

In the shadows of the forest, white flowers look brilliant when the occasional shafts of light hit them.  Curiously enough, this white beauty is Red Baneberry.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Mother and Meadow

Along the forest edge new flowers are in bloom.  Above is Motherwort. Probably named such because once upon a time not long ago, midwives used this for uterine tonic to prevent uterine infection in women.  

To the side is a male Early Meadow Rue.  This plant is diocious, meaning that the male and female flower parts are contained on separate plants.  I wonder if his lady is nearby?  Maybe I will find her on another day.  She is less showy, rather 'timid' you might say.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Cottontail

Along the forest path something small and furry froze long enough for a photo.  Eastern Cottontail is a common small mammal found in Minnesota.  I've seen them several times at the park, but usually just their cotton tail very briefly as they are hopping away.  This mammal is very prolific.  They can bred again in just hours after giving birth and can have a new batch of four to six babies every three weeks.  They have many predators, including man.  I once saw a fox with one in its mouth trotting into the forest.   The Cottontail populations may dwindle significantly over the winter, but because of how prolific they are, it doesn't take long in the spring to get their numbers back up again.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

P.S. This photo was altered slightly with Photoshop in order to highlight the rabbit.  It blends in very well and is difficult to see otherwise.

"Bear Claw" Found in Forest!

This odd looking plant is called a Smooth Carrion Flower.  It grows along the forest trail.  The Chippewa name for this plant is translated "Bear Claw".  It has been used for medicinal purposes. It is a vine that climbs other plants.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Red Baneberry has started to flower in the forest area. A pair of Eastern Bluebirds were scoping out the trees along the lake near the park.  Gorgeous day today.

Enjoy!

~ Robin