The understated beauty of Pearly Everlasting is something in and of itself. A beautiful wildflower that attracts several species of butterflies most notable the Painted Lady. Simple yet elegant, rustic yet refined, perhaps everything a wild wildflower should be.
After a mile or two of a hike that began in tall grassland and meadows we suddenly entered a stretch of trail that wound it’s way through a luxuriant forest filled with treasures of all kind. From beautiful Woodland Pinedrops to what seemed an unending variety of ground covers, the landscape was transformed. From dry to wet, from brown to green, you never know what you’ll find on the forest floor.
Unusual fungi and tiny white bells.
Life took many forms and all play a part in the ecosystem of the forest floor.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and some time to explore.
Pipisissewa is a beautiful and distinct wildflower found on the forest floor not to mention a fun name to say. With its long stem and single umbrella shaped flower it is hard to miss while hiking through the woods and native to much of cool temperate forest across the northern hemisphere. A member of the wintergreen family Pipsissewa has green leaves year-round, it receives a significant portion of its nutrition from fungi in the soil.
Pipsissewa, as much fun to observe as it is to say and wonderful companion on any forested walk.
One sunny afternoon we noticed these little (less than an inch in length) Bluet Damselflies hovering and sometimes landing on the tiny flowers of a goldenrod plant. After taking a closer look and a few photos we discover why. They were hunting even smaller flies that were pollinating the flowers. The hunting forays appeared to be quite successful as they nabbed numerous meals on this one little stem.
Little hunters with a big appetite.
A day in the forest.
Flowers flowering.
A gentle breeze.
Two of a kind…..Not the best hand to hold in a poker game but I will take this pair any day.
Above a beautiful purple Sticky Geranium brightens the trail…
…while below is its relative the Richardsons Geranium.
Two of a kind and a fine pair to encounter on a walk through the woods.
This summers bounty of Indian Paint Brush was like getting that big box of crayons you always wanted as a child. So many colors, so much fun to be had.
And the best thing about getting the big box is that there are plenty of crayons to share.
Happy Friday and wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Along the waters edge a dragonfly sits.
A bit of summers bounty made monochrome. From Arnica to Camus to Cows Parsnip and more. Enjoy.
Harebells, or Bleubells if you prefer, have been a constant and happy companion of our hikes this summer. From sunny meadows to forested trails to hikes above tree line these flowers were always with us.
Harebells were Plant of the week on the USDA website and the linked articles contains some interesting facts describing the plants, it habitats and propagation methods.
A fairly ubiquitous flower yet one that really stands out.
nature has no boss 
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