First stop Warren Woods State Park, a 311 acre park near the town of Three Oaks, Michigan.
Wood Betony
After Warren Woods, we went east to Trillium Ravine Prairie Plant Preserve, four miles northwest of Niles Michigan.
"The sanctuary is named after the prairie trillium and toadshade. Both are threatened species in Michigan and are protected by state law. The range of these trillium species barely extend into southern Michigan, making them unusual in the state. Both species are considered "toad trilliums" because their leaves are mottled like toad skin. Their flowers with maroon petals and green sepals sit directly on the leaves without a flower stalk.
The species are differentiated by their leaves. Toadshade’s leaf has no stalk, while prairie trillium’s leaf has a short stalk."
Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
This is fantastic! Your photos make our adventure come alive. All the wildflowers and trees, blue sky, the Galien River (say it GAH-leen), and the snake we saw from the safety of the bridge. Excellent description of the trillium we saw. It really was a beautiful day and worth the drive! Thanks. M :)
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across your blog a little while ago & I just want to say that I love it. :-D
ReplyDeleteM :) Warren Woods is a special place, especially in spring. Over 100 miles one way to see this beautiful place but, yes, it is worth it! The snake was cool, I'm glad you spotted it. Maybe a Northern Water Snake.
ReplyDeleteThe wildflowers are exceptional, and every where.
Thanks for taking me, Chris :-)
Lydia, Thank you for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the blog.
ReplyDelete:-) Chris
Those white trilliums are so beautiful. We never see that many trilliums of any color here. Amazing day!
ReplyDeleteHi Allen, yes Marie and I both thought of you when we saw the trillium that day and a few days later at Aman Park. I told Marie I wanted to get as many trillium in the picture as possible for "New Hampshire guy"! That's how we refer to you sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to post trips as they come up so I end up posting mostly photos. How you manage all the research for your posts, I have no idea. It takes me so long to research things. Then I get off track digging deeper into the details of each plant. Your blog is very informative, and it is reliable information.
Thanks for stopping by!
Chris
Beautiful photos. You really captured the feel of both places. We were at both places, but missed you by a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a water snake, although an exceptionally colorful one.
ReplyDeleteThat is a Northern map turtle on the snag. They are not so common anymore.
Mike We did get to see the variety of spring wildflowers but as you said for some you had to look quick. Yes I guess we missed you guys, but then I'm not sure I even remember what you or Kathie look like? It has been several years since we met you at Dowagiac Woods, right. Just look for our Boots!
ReplyDeleteThe water snake was a deep reddish brown, we were above him on the bridge at Warren Woods. He was big, very long. The snake headed towards the turtle, then the turtle dived in and appeared to be going after the snake. Then both were too far away to see.
Northern map turtle, yes, I see that now. I saw one of these in White Lake near Montague last year. Just assumed it was a painted.
We were at Aman last week, trillium everywhere, Virginia Bluebells as well! Mike and I were at Wilderness State Park last week too, it was a great trip. Hopefully I'll blog about it soon.
Thanks, Chris