Friday, June 4, 2010

Wildflowers: June 04, 2010

Yesterday we managed to get out and about for awhile in the afternoon.  We headed for the big hill country.  Far Guy and his Dad used to hunt deer in that area.  In retrospect Far Guy says he wonders why in the world his Dad liked to hunt up one hill and down the other..I said "Perhaps he wished he was hunting in Montana."

It is beautiful back in those woods, they seem so different from our area that has so much brush.

The Columbine or Aquilegia canadensis is blooming all over, we saw one area just covered in blooms.


The Wild Phlox or Phlox divaricata  has popped out of it's hiding places. It is a native plant.  What a cheerful little bloom!  It accompanies the bright orange of the Hoary Puccoon in the local ditches.  Mother Nature has it's own color scheme.

Dame's Rocket or Hesperis matronalis is blooming too.  This plant is almost the same color as Wild Phlox, but it is much taller.  It is often found in old farmsteads, this one was at the neighbors. It is a non-native plant that escaped from early settlers gardens.   Dame's Rocket has four petals..where Wild Phlox has five.

The Purple Vetch or Vicia americana is a native plant that has some beautiful little blooms.

We saw lots of areas in the wetlands where the beavers had tried to clog up culverts, the mosquitoes are out in droves in the deep forest, but the Dragonfly's have hatched, and the ferns are almost completely unfurled. We met no other vehicles on our adventure..the whole drive takes about two hours and is about six miles long. Some gals like to go to the malls to shop..I am very happy with a relaxing ride into the woods:)

14 comments:

West Side of Straight said...

Your pictures are so good, and love your header!

DJan said...

Great shots of the wildflowers, Connie, and your headers always have Chance in there somewhere. I count on it!

L. D. said...

They are all tranquil looking places to be. I wouldn't want to climb the hills, just look at them and enjoy the sounds of the forest. We have vetch down here, domesticated or whatever and they had scattered up and down the highways. Later they decided they didn't like it there so they have mowed it all down.

lisa said...

Love phlox! Montana is a better place to hunt;)

Patsy said...

I like going in the woods the sounds and peace are great.
Patsy

Anonymous said...

Lovely trip Connie. It sounds delightful except for the mosquitos. Your header is beautiful. Hope Far Guy is feeling some better and that you two have a nice weekend.

The Retired One said...

I SO AGREE with you Connie. I am happiest when we go out in the woods for our photography adventures and I am ecstatic when we see animals or birds to capture on camera, as well as landscapes and waterfalls and flowers. I have Columbines in my garden...I love them....

LadyFi said...

I hate shopping! Would much rather be in the woods. Love all the ferns and flowers you found.

Changes in the wind said...

Those ferns are just beautiful...thanks for taking us with you.

RURAL said...

I'm with you, what a wonderful time you must have had. And to be able to find something so relatively untouched so close to your home, that's the difference from around here.

Great shots, loved the collages.

Jen

Linda said...

Wonderful pictures. Most of what you call wildflowers are what I have to plant and really look after to have them survive.

Lanny said...

We have a slew of columbine around our house. It is one of EBet's favorite flowers, so it gets to grow where ever it wants to. It was also one of my mom and dad's favorite, extra credit points there. And I discovered Hesperis matronalis as a poor new bride with a farm to fill with blooms and scents. Right now we have clouds of white and a bit of purple all over in my garden.

Marla said...

So beautiful where you live.

Pamela said...

the wild phlox on the hillsides thru the gorge were blooming in late April..
I don't know how long they last ? ? ? ?