Tag: wildflower

Pasque morning

On By Mike Bizeau7 Comments

This is the time of year for the magnificent Pasqueflowers to bloom and brighten the hillsides, forests and meadows near town.

These flowers are part of the genus Pulsitilla family which contains numerous species spread across the globe and are the state flower of South Dakota. We noticed two distinct species while on a recent walk with both growing along the sunny hillsides and one growing just about everywhere in both sun and shade.

Hope we can get back out before they are done blooming and wishing you all a Pasque morning.

Small and smaller

On By Mike Bizeau15 Comments

Tiny white wildflowers gracing the forest floor measuring no more than a quarter inch in diameter become a great big world to this tiny mantis that I did not even notice in the photograph until I downloaded the photos. just another reminder that the abundance of life one our wonderful planet is small and sometimes even smaller than we see.

On the earth day earth.

On By Mike Bizeau8 Comments

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Although spring had a calendar date of March 20th we have had an extended winter and this year earth day was the day that felt like spring had actually sprung.

The sun had been out for several days in a row without a flake of snow falling and the temperatures were downright warm. The snow was receding at a rapid pace and the earth became exposed. Flowers were budding and blooming all of which were no more than several inches high.

The promise of spring seemed fulfilled at last.

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Flowers blooming with life inviting the early season pollinators in for a drink.

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Pine cones alive on the forest floor and glow in the morning light.

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Not more than an inch in height the flowers came in yellow and white.

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The state butterfly Nymphalis antiopa “Mourning Cloak” basks in the sunlight on a road which only a day or two ago was covered in snow.

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And then came the day after earth day…

Spring color

On By Mike Bizeau6 Comments

A splash of spring colors. No flowers this early but the blue, blue skies and red and orange willows make it feel like winter is a thing of the past even with snow covering the ground and ice on the creek.

Happy spring to you all.

Or Autumn for you all down south of the equator.

Mid-Winter Break

On By Mike Bizeau12 Comments

Although the calendar says otherwise the third week of January always feels like mid-winter to me. Yes, the cold and snow will hang for a few months, maybe more, there is just something about this time that portends a turning point somewhere deep inside.

So today it’s time to take a break and remember that sweet summer air will return again.