Messy Spring Project

There has been a whole lot of dirt moving around at the park.  Most for the city improvements, but nature too has her share of mud-moving jobs.  Barn swallows have home building project in progress at the pavilion.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Ostriches Starting to Strut

A large patch of Ostrich fern bordering the marsh road pond have been busy unfurling over the past couple days. (Located on the eastern border of the pond.)

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Study of Sumac Buds

One of the perks of taking photos is that sometimes you can see more in the photo than initially with your naked eye.

Sumac buds first appear as fuzzy nubs. But as they open, from the fuzz something beautiful emerges.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Northwood's Early Spring Wildflowers

Wood Anemone are just starting to open on the forest hillside area.  The Rue Anemone are opening nicely and easily seen from the paths there.

And Little Leaf Buttercup can be found in a shady part along the marsh road.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Carpet Cover

Tiny green beginnings are starting to carpet the forested areas of the park.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Park Changes!

The playground equipment is gone at the park and so are many of the trees.  The city posted this on Nextdoor: 

• "The northwest corner of Northwood Park will close on Wednesday, March 16, and remain closed throughout the spring and summer of 2016. The portion of the park involved in the closure is on the west side of Boone Avenue, from the entrance to the playground parking lot north to Ensign Avenue and west to Northwood Lake. The park is being closed due to construction of storm water improvements, the installation of new play equipment, trail improvements, and other improvements in Northwood Park."

Though much of the park is under heavy construction, there is still much that is not, and construction can not stop spring!


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

New Arrivals

At least a few new varieties of flowers are making the scene today.  The white variety of Common Blue Violets, Little Leaf Buttercup, and Wood Anemone.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Tree Flower Buds

Some of the trees are forming flower buds.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Early Spring Flowers

Ground Ivy

Blue Violet

Early spring wildflowers are starting.  Some that many believe herald the arrival of spring.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Dandelion 

Turtles are Out

While walking along the lake, one hears little 'plunk's.  I couldn't help but notice the timid turtles have ventured out to sunbath.  I was happy to see and hear so many little ones.  The fox and raccoon didn't get all of last year's eggs.


Enjoy!

~ Robin

Rise and Shine!

Tuesday, Rue Anemone were barely visible as little red sprouts peeking out from behind leaves on the forest floor.  Today, although still small, several can be seen in bloom.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

 

Male or Female?

Near the first bridge I found and confirmed a male and female couple in residence:  Pussy willows.  I saw the two bushes.  I saw the differences in the pussy willow flowers.  I just didn't realize they were a male plant and female plant until this year.  Plants that are male or female (not both) are called dioecious.  The above photo is of the male.  The side photo is female.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Life Bursting Forth

Sometime spring seems so 'resurrectionly' to me.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Slowly Surfacing

New foliage is starting to peep out from under the fallen leaves.  Dandelions have emerged sparsely here and there.  Slowly and cautiously the greening has begun.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Sap-cicles

I found a few very random icicles on my walk this morning.  Each sourced from a wound.  With the warm days and freezing nights, sap has been flowing.  This kind of weather is perfect for maple syrup farmers!  A sweet lining to the gray of early spring.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

First Day of Spring!

The first day of spring has arrived.  Buds are swelling, and bits of green are peeking out here and there.

Enjoy!

~ Robin