Dowagiac Woods

May 4, 2020 Dowagiac Woods in Cass County Michigan
It was a beautiful day for a walk in the woods.

                                                   Large-Flowered Trillium

                                                         Wild Ginger

                                                     Blue-Eyed Mary

                             A very new Maidenhair Fern

                                      Large-Flowered Bellwort

When I first saw this picture on the computer, I thought I was seeing a violet and Wild Leek.  Wild Leek is not blooming yet.  The white buds are actually from a Dwarf Ginseng.

                                       Dwarf Ginseng

       Trillium, Dwarf Ginseng, Wild Leek leaves



                                     Spring Beauty



                     Very few Hepatica were still blooming.

                                            Miterwort

                                   A great day in the woods.

Seeking Spring?

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....