Erythronium americanum (Trout lily, Yellow trout lily)
It seems that I spend a lot of time walking through the woods with my head down at this time of year. I've developed this habit because I'm often rewarded with a glimpse of a Spring ephemeral, perennial woodland wildflowers that make a brief appearance each spring, fading before the trees come into full leaf.
These little gems are sprinkled throughout the South March Highlands which makes any hike through the forest at this time of year a wildflower treasure hunt. You will often see me lagging behind my husband and daughter as they march purposefully ahead. I know that there's beauty hidden in the underbrush and I'm determined to find it!
With the exception of the Trillium, which I think of as the flashy showgirl of the bunch, it seems that most of these wildflowers are rather retiring. Nestled in mounds of dried leaves, hiding behind fallen branches, they sun themselves in the abundant light that is not yet filtered by the forest canopy. You need patience and a sharp eye to spot them which makes their discovery all the more special.
Photographing them is another challenge particularly because you have to get close enough to your subject without stepping on and thereby squashing their surrounding cousins. I imagine that it's rather like sneaking up on a reclusive celebrity, tiptoeing so that you won't leave a trail. It's hard to be that graceful when you're wearing hiking boots!
Trillium grandiflorum (White trillium)
As I've mentioned in Time for Trilliums I've been enjoying wildflower spotting since my childhood in Northwestern Ontario when my aunt would recruit me for her adventures in the woods. How fortunate I am to have the same experience here in Ottawa and to be able to share it with my own daughter. Now if I could only get my husband to slow down a wee bit more while navigating the trails, but that's a story for another day ;)
Aquilegia canadensis (Canadian or Canada Columbine, Eastern Red Columbine, Wild Columbine, and Honeysuckle)
___________________________________________________________
South March Highlands: Little Gems by Tatiana Dokuchic on 2012-05-10
Spring Ephemerals of the South March Highlands.
Spring Ephemerals of the South March Highlands.
Images: Tatiana Dokuchic (May 6, 2012)
Find Tatiana Dokuchic on Google+
The last little flower picture is I believe a Canada Columbine. The second one is perhaps a wild strawberry plant and the third a Viola maybe. The first one is a Trout Lily...elegant name. I loved the wild flowers first when I was a child growing up in Wakefield and am always amazed at how many there really are. Thanks for the photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Garnets, many thanks for dropping in and providing some names. I will have to go back and include them in the post :) We are fortunate to have so many wildflowers in this area. I'm with you, continually amazed!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful!!! Love the Aquilegia canadensis!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post Tatiana! Loved it! Can't wait to get up north again this summer :)
ReplyDelete