Spring's First Bloomers

The older I get the faster spring and life in general seems to move.  There's just never enough of that precious commodity called time to see and do everything the heart desires each season.  So here I am playing catch up but I figured better late than never, right?  I originally planned to get this published about a month ago so please excuse its tardiness.  With that being said let's travel a few weeks back in time for some early bloomers that have already come and gone.

Ohio Brush Creek valley near its confluence with the Ohio River

Sunny southern Ohio.  There's few places I prefer to ring in the new growing season more than the river counties of Adams and Scioto. It's no coincidence they are featured and/or mentioned time and time again on this blog.  The enormous blocks of contiguous forest and thousands of acres of preserved land make them a prime region to explore.

Exposed limestone bedrock along a small waterway in Adams county

I make many annual pilgrimages to see a bevy of different wildflowers but none carry the same anticipation as the year's first.  The dolomite limestone exposures and rocky bluffs pictured above may seem stuck in their lifeless winter state but looks can be deceiving.

Snow Trillium (Trillium nivale)

Snow Trillium (Trillium nivale)

Snow Trillium (Trillium nivale)

Freshly emerged snow trillium (Trillium nivale)!  Spring could wake up in any number of ways but its choice of these beauties in select calcareous areas of the state is perfect to me.  Their appearance may seem delicate but snow trillium are tough plants.  It's not uncommon for a late snowfall to coincide with their blooming yet they shrug it off as if it were nothing.

Rare white cedar trees clinging to the limestone rock faces along Scioto Brush Creek

The evergreen glow of the rare northern white cedars (Thuja occidentalis) that line the limestone rock faces are not to be lost in the excitement of the site's snow trillium.  Speaking of tough plants, it's hard to find something with more gravitas or tenacity than these trees.  They can live for centuries in these situations, growing millimeter by millimeter and attaining gnarled, bonsai-like forms.

Harbinger-of-Spring (Erigenia bulbosa)

Harbinger-of-spring (Erigena bulbosa) may be in fruit and disappearing until next spring as I type this but they were in their prime during this particular foray.

Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Anenome acutiloba)

As were the sharp-lobed hepatica (Anenome acutiloba) in their various shades of whites, creams, lavenders and blue.  I'm curious to know what causes such a wide range of expressed phenotypes in this species.  Genetics, soil/nutrients, age or perhaps a combination of the three?

Little Whitlow-grass (Draba brachycarpa)

Little Whitlow-grass (Draba brachycarpa)

Little Whitlow-grass (Draba brachycarpa)

The rare and unusual is always of interest to me.  I can and do appreciate the common day-to-day things but the out of the ordinary is a spice I crave.  The little whitlow-grass (Draba brachycarpa) is as rare as it is unusual here in Ohio. It only grows in a couple sites along the Ohio River; both old cemeteries on perched sand ridges.  It's a charming little flower when viewed at high magnification; many plants only end up measuring an inch or two tall.

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)

Growing in the same sandy soil as the little whitlow-grass is Ohio's very own native cactus, the eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa). Their pads were looking a bit beat up from the harsh winter but come June they'll dazzle the eyes with large, honey yellow flowers.  The reaction of folks  hearing for the first time we do indeed have an indigenous species of cactus is one of my favorites.

White Trout-lily (Erythronium albidum)

White Trout-lily (Erythronium albidum)

Trout-lilies were one of the first wildflowers I fell for during my early years.  They always seem to need a self-esteem boost with their shy, drooping flowers.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

The beauty of spring is one fleeting moment after another and few moments seem to pass faster than the bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).  Each flower's whorl of snow-white petals only last for a day or two before dropping at the slightest touch or breeze. Their underground rhizomes can spread in favorable conditions, creating impressive colonies of delicate flowers and their unique leaves.

Goldenstar-lily (Erythronium rostratum)

Goldenstar-lily (Erythronium rostratum)

It's not just the white trout-lilies from earlier on that have such demure personalities but just about every other North American Erythronium species too.  Only the goldenstar-lily (E. rostratum) exhibits unwavering confidence and shows off their flowers for all the world to see.  Their golden blooms are held erect on the stem and only unfurl their stunning tepals in the sunniest of conditions.

Goldenstar-lily (Erythronium rostratum) with eight tepals instead of six

Goldenstar-lily (Erythronium rostratum) just about to wake up

Goldenstar-lilies also happen to be one of our most rare wildflowers in Ohio and are currently listed as endangered within the state. They are only known to occur in select areas of Adams and Scioto counties; all within the watershed of Rocky Fork Creek too.

Deer Tick

While photographing the goldenstar-lilies under a brilliant sapphire sky, I happened to notice a small black speck slowly making its way up my pant's leg.  I knew it was a tick but which of the three species one can find in southern Ohio would it be?  Unfortunately, the orange "butt" of this particular one gave it away as the dreaded deer tick or black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis).  Unlike the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) or the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), deer ticks are a carrier/transmitter of Lyme disease among a host of other nasty diseases.  Just a few years ago I almost never picked deer ticks off me but nowadays them seem to be outnumbering dog and lone stars more and more.  All the more reason to keep an eye out and be ever-vigilant!

A trio of goldenstar-lilies in all their early spring glory

It's hard to believe these wonderful wildflowers have already done their duties and been replaced with maturing seed pods.  Another spring already well underway with many aspects left to wait nearly another year to see once again.  I hope to catch up on more of spring's activity as I find the time but even so I could never adequately represent what spring coming to southern Ohio entails.  Some things are best left to speak for themselves and Mother Nature is definitively that.

- ALG - 

Flora-Quest Weekend 2013 Rewind

Another Flora-Quest weekend has come and gone and what an exciting weekend it was!  Shawnee state forest and the nearby Edge of Appalchia preserve system played host to well over 100 people with interests ranging from wildflowers and birds to moths and amphibians in this seventh installment of the popular spring event.  It was a fantastic chance to get out into the forests for the best of southern Ohio's spring wildflower shows and soak in its beauty with others who share in my passion for the outdoors.  Even better is the camaraderie and catching up with old friends I haven't seen in some time and the opportunity to finally meet others in person for the first time.  It's just an overall incredible atmosphere your blogger is quite lucky and fortunate to be a part of.

Scenic look out across the rolling hills of Shawnee state forest 

This was my second year in a row being a trip co-leader and I couldn't have asked for a better partner in the phenomenal and well-known nature photographer, Ian Adams.  I had never met Ian before but after just one day out in the field with him, I think I can speak for the both of us that a friendship was quickly kindled.  His eye for capturing nature with the camera lens is second to none and he's quite the naturalist as well with a great depth of knowledge and understanding about our natural world.

Our group was largely made up of folks who wanted to center on photography and soak up the tips, techniques, and tricks Ian (and myself to a smaller degree) had to share.  With being a trip leader, I largely left my own camera in its case and instead wanted to focus on educating and leading my group efficiently and without the distraction.  I did however use my iPhone to snap a number of pictures of what we saw and am quite pleased with the way most of them came out.  As a result just about all the photos used in this post were taken with my phone; which goes to explain why my hands and/or fingers are in some of the shots.  The iPhone can have a hard time focusing on smaller subjects in the foreground and using your hand as a backboard can help make the sensor's focusing job that much easier.  That all being said let's jump into some of the floral highlights of Flora-Quest weekend 2013!

Flowering dogwood along a flowing stream in Shawnee state forest

First thing worth saying is what a difference a year can make.  This time last year had the forest and plants looking like late May/early June and the trees completely leafed out; which was certainly not the case this time around.  Things were all just about right on time with many of the Flora-Quest classics all present and in full bloom.  The snow white blossoms of the flowering dogwood and wild plums along with the vibrant pinkish-reds of the red bud carpeted the forest under story in their typical stunning fashion.

Dwarf crested irises (Iris cristata) in full bloom along Shawnee's roadsides

Instantly noticeable all along the forested roads of Shawnee were the regal purple carpets of dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata) in full bloom.  The underground rhizomes do their jobs well and quickly spread out to give the forest a seemingly endless supply of the short-lived flowers, perfectly timed up with our arrival.

Dwarf crested irises (Iris cristata)

Spectacular double-flowered iris

Upon closer inspection of their delicate flowers, the dwarf crested iris can truly be held among the floral elites of spring.  The soft shade of lavender they exhibit is contrasted stunningly by their petals honey yellow markings.  Our group was fortuitous enough to come across a spectacular double-flowered form that was most likely the result of some genes going a bit haywire.

Albino dwarf crested irises

Perhaps less rare but nigh on equally pleasing were some albino forms of dwarf crested iris.  Their shades of purple had been traded in for the purest of white with only the golden markings left behind to add any accentuation.

Large yellow lady's slippers (Cypripedium pubescens)

It's nothing revolutionary in admitting the promise of wild orchids to be one of the main draws to each annual Flora-Quest event.  This year found them waking up a bit late and more slowly than in years past but still putting on as magnificent a show as ever.  Large yellow lady's slippers (Cypripedium pubescens) never fail to impress and get a group's camera shutters clicking in unison.

Spotted mandarin (Prosartes maculata)

Pawpaw flowers (Asimina triloba)

One rarity that was completely absent from last year's spectacle was the evanescent blooms of the spotted mandarin (Prosartes maculata).  Their creamy white petals are feverishly spotted with tiny purple speckles much like if it was suffering from a case of the flower chickenpox.  On the opposite end of the scarcity spectrum, the malodorous pawpaw (Asimina triloba) was putting on its own show with their charming matte scarlet blooms.

Luna moth (Actias luna)

It wasn't all wildflowers for our group when we stumbled across a feeble luna moth while out and about.  Ian hypothesized its lackadaisical attitude and out-in-the-open location was foretelling that its job of mating had been completed and its life cycle come to an inevitable close.

Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis)

Another invertebrate critter we encountered while in Shawnee was hardly as welcome and grandiose as the luna moth and much more sinister.  The small speck climbing up your blogger's finger is the infamous black-legged tick, which also goes by the name of deer tick.  Of the three species of tick that call Ohio home (deer, dog, and lone star) only the deer tick can carry Lyme's disease; so naturally they seem to get the most attention.  Its smaller size and orange-colored back are helpful ID characteristics.  It's becoming much more prevalent in the southern/southeastern/eastern part of the state so be on the lookout for it!

Early pink azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

An instant classic and inducer of many "oohs" and "ahhs" is one of my all-time favorite woody plants: the early pink azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum).  A completely hidden and inconspicuous plant any other time of the year, early May is this heath family member's time to shine!  If you think its looks are good, definitely take the time to give it a whiff.  Its intoxicating aroma will impress your nose as much as its perfect pink blossoms please your eyes!

Dry hillside full of vernal iris

Vernal iris (Iris verna)

In addition to the aforementioned dwarf crested iris, Shawnee is also home to the state-threatened and absolutely breathtaking vernal iris (Iris verna).  Few other wildflowers can eclipse the electric blue/purple hues and royal demeanor of its blooms.  Most iris species are associated with wet-moist soiled situations but the vernal iris is a high and dry plant that prefers the xeric, sun-drenched ridge tops and rocky outcrops of extreme southern Ohio.

Bird's foot violet (Viola pedata)

It just wouldn't be spring in Shawnee without the annual display of our state's most dazzling of violet species: the bird's foot violet (Viola pedata).  Their large, showy flowers stick out like a sore thumb against the barren ridges and dirt banks.  The ones pictured are of the bi-colored form and seem to outnumber the typically more traditional light lavender monochrome plants.

Black-edged sedge (Carex nigromarginata)

I wouldn't be a real botanist if I didn't take the time to share with my group one of my favorite sedge species now would I?  I may have had a few odd looks and some scratching their heads as I gushed over the beauty and my love for the black-edged sedge (Carex nigromarginata), but they did agree it was a rather handsome little plant.

Large, leafing out tuliptree

Showy orchis (Galearis spectabilis)

While orchids like the showy orchis (Galearis spectabilis) showed off their glamour on the ground below, high in the tree tops our group was spoiled with a diverse array of fantastic birds.  Scarlet tanager, wood thrush, worm-eating warbler, cerulean warbler, hooded warbler, ovenbird, northern parula, American redstart, and whippoorwill is just a small sampling of the feathered friends we encountered.  Our group was even so lucky as to come across a gorgeous, healthy-looking coyote deep in Shawnee during Sunday morning's outing.  It quickly disappeared into the trees but those few fleeting seconds were special indeed.

Whorled pogonia (Isotria verticillata) 

One of the most fun plants last year's event missed out on was thankfully just coming into its prime this time around.  I was forced to show the swelling seed pods of the whorled pogonia orchid (Isotria verticillata) to my group last season but I was much more successful this weekend!  This infrequent orchid prefers the dry, acidic upland soils of oak/pine woods; often in association with mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and other members of the Ericaceae family.

Whorled pogonia (Isotria verticillata) 

The whorled pogonia looks like a mythical beast out of the folklore of Greece or Rome with its spreading sepals and gaping "mouth"; waiting to consume its next unassuming victim.  It may not have the same following and fan club as the next orchid species but it has always been one of my favorites for its unique and chimerical appearance.

Pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule)

Growing in close proximity to the whorled pogonia and sharing in its love for the dry, acidic mixed oak forest was some impressive clumps and patches of the pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule).  I've seen this particular orchid dozens of times before in years past but it just never gets old getting reacquainted with their gorgeous faces each and every spring.  There's just something about them I find irresistible and I think my group easily shared in that excitement.

Black huckleberry (Gaylussica baccata)

Hillside blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)

Two associates of the acidic oak woodlands happened to be in full bloom this past weekend and both end up producing a delicious fruit I can never get enough of.  On the left is the red bell-shaped flowers of the black huckleberry (Gaylussica baccata) with is cousin hillside blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) flowering right alongside it. Both are members of the heath family (Ericaceae) and very common in the mountain laurel and azalea thickets of Shawnee state forest.

There's so much more I could share and wildflower pictures worth posting but if I don't stop now, I don't know that I ever could or would!  Flora-Quest proved to be once again an incredibly well put together and organized event that I think I can safely say everyone in attendance absolutely loved.  It's a shame to see it come to a close so soon but there's always next year to look forward to.  I hope to be an integral part of it once again and be leading some field trips but we'll see what possibilities it brings.  Next up on the docket is Mothapalooza June 14-16, being held right here in Shawnee state forest and on the Edge as well.  Hope to see some of you there!