March 25 2018
We still have some snow on the ground, and temps mostly in the 40's. One day it reached 60, and there has been little rain. We had to get out there to savor each little plant that is making its way up through the soil.
Marie and I visited three parks that day, all in Ottawa County. First Hager (Hardwood) Park to find commas! When Spring Beauty puts up its little leaves, we think they look like commas.
Spring Beauty leaves
Next stop Grand River Park...
At Grand River Park we see Harbinger-of-Spring, I was thinking it was just too early, and it was. We did not find a sign of Harbinger-of-Spring, we did see something sprouting up though.
After the Grand River Park walk, we went on to Aman Park.
We did find some Spring!
Fur covered and very new, Hepatica
These were on a hillside that had been scoured by the snow and ice.
Hepatica leaves from last year....
A very exposed Spring Beauty with tiny buds.
Wild Leek First the leaves show up, then after the leaves die off, the plant sends up a flower.
We see many Paw Paw trees here. Here is a fuzzy little bud.
This place will be covered with Virginia Bluebells in a several weeks.
Virginia Bluebell pushing out of the ground.
This is the place where we see hundreds of trillium blooming in late April and early May. It looks bare for now.
Marie and I sat in the woods and listened for Spring... You could almost here the plants growing through the dried leaves, almost. Then we heard a weak croaking sound coming from nearby. I think it might have been a Wood Frog waking up.
It was so perfect sitting quietly in the woods....
4 comments:
I too looked for spring beauties today and didn't see any sign of them even though they'll be blooming in two weeks. Spring happens fast once it gets going!
Even the buds of the bluebells are beautiful and I can't wait to see all those trilliums. That has to be the most gorgeous display of wildflowers that I've ever seen.
Happy Spring!
Thanks, Allen, and Happy Spring to you. And today we had snowflakes, slowly we are getting to Spring. The trillium and bluebells are amazing at Aman Park or will be in a few weeks time. I’ll be there, hopefully a couple visits at least, it is about a 50 mile round trip from home, so I’m not able to go very often. And once those plants start blooming, everything seems to get busy.
Wonderful post! We are so in-between seasons. Ice on the water and the trails. Bare trees and brown, brown, brown. But lots of new growth, too. I like how the shadow of a vine made another trail on the park map. We did hear Spring! Just think of hundreds of little plants pushing up through the dead leaves all at the same time, no wind or traffic noise, of course you can hear that. Tick, tick, tick, so close to Spring! The frog croaking was an extra treat. Thanks, M :)
Thanks, Marie. It is almost better now, the calm before the storm...of wildflowers blooming! Soon we will be bending down to see those flowers! The frog was cool, we were the first people it talked to? Hmm...
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