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An Afternoon Holiday

5/16/2018

7 Comments

 
All the sunshine we've had the last couple of weeks has been nice, but rather unusual for us. Some of the plants were beginning to look a little withered, so I was very glad for the showers we had yesterday. The humid air really brought out the fragrance of the flowers, making it impossible to stay inside!
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Some of the tulips have started to bloom.
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The woods looked so tempting during my early morning walk across the field that I promised myself I would return later if possible.
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So, despite the innumerable garden chores that still need to be done, I declared the afternoon a holiday and set out to explore! 
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The vegetable garden...onions, lettuce, carrots and peas are planted!
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Work in progress on the seed garden
Red Osier dogwood grows at the edge the woods.
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Don't ask me how this boulder got here! It makes a nice seat to enjoy the scenery from, however.
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A beautiful but threatening sky. 
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I saw signs of bear, as well as moose and deer...it made me wonder if I even ought to be out here alone, but I was already having such a good time there was no turning back!
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It certainly looks like bear territory, doesn't it?
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One of the first sights that greeting me when I entered the woods was this beautiful trillium!
Does anyone know what these plants are? I am so ignorant about woodland plants! They appear to be some kind of flower. I will have to go back to see what kind of flowers they have!
There were lots of fiddleheads, too. These are considered a spring delicacy around here, but I haven't tried them yet.
I went deeper into the woods than I normally go, but stopped in my tracks when I saw this! A bear den perhaps? I didn't get close enough to find out!
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It was a wonderful time. I felt like a child again, and even caught myself imagining that I was a botanical explorer in some unknown forest! There was a downpour on the way back so I came home drenched but very happy and eager to do it again sometime soon! :)
7 Comments
Eliza link
5/16/2018 04:37:39 pm

Your mystery plant I believe is false lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense). Note that not all ferns have edible fiddleheads... Ostrich fern is the most commonly collected (Matteuccia struthiopteris). Some are toxic, so take care when harvesting and cook thoroughly. :)

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Joanna link
5/16/2018 07:13:07 pm

Thank you so much for identifying the mystery plant! I googled it and it does look just like it...I've never actually seen it in bloom before but have seen them later in the summer. Funny, because I was thinking it looked like lily-of-the-valley but I knew it couldn't be!
Good to know about the ferns. We obviously have a few different kinds growing here!

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JanetLee
5/16/2018 07:25:10 pm

Beautiful flowers! I see these sort of things in Washington also. But, our Trillium has definitely gone past its peak. Granny's Bonnet should be right around the corner to bloom. Plus the Ocean Spray is tuning up for it showing.

We have small black bears around here. Very timid and I do enjoy seeing them.

And oh my, the deer and elk! I have some pictures of those also.

Thanks for sharing your walk in the woods with us.

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Joanna link
5/16/2018 10:46:19 pm

Oh yes, I think my sister might have shown me some pictures you took in the woods last year! The elk must be amazing. I've never seen them in the wild, but they are majestic animals. Our bears tend to be small too, but there is an occasional big one. About this time 2 years ago we found our dumpster tipped over one morning and trash spread all over the dooryard. My dad is very strong, but he needed my help to lift it back up again. Funny thing was, the windows were open and none of us heard anything!

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JanetLee
5/22/2018 01:54:20 pm

That is quite possible! I do love to share them.

Jason link
5/19/2018 07:28:58 pm

I love the color of those red osier dogwood stems, especially with the white birches. I think we all owe ourselves an afternoon holiday now and then.

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Joanna link
5/22/2018 01:43:49 pm

I like the red osier dogwood too! It is very striking in the snow as well.

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    ​I am a passionate gardener and seed-saver, who also enjoys playing the violin and accordion, running, spending time with my 4 golden retrievers, keeping chickens, photography, and reading. ​
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