Bernheim Early Spring

Rue Anemone

It's always a challenge to find the white Trout Lillies in bloom at Bernheim. They bloom early in the spring, and we looked for them earlier in March, without success. On March 31(Wednesday), Dick heard that another volunteer had seen them blooming the Saturday before. The sun was shining, so we said "Let's go!"

Spring Beauty

Bloodroot going to seed

 As we strolled down the walk along Mac's Lake towards the Troutlilly patch, we saw lots of Rue Anemone, and it was the True Rue. False Rue has five petals and True Rue has more than five. (It took me several years to remember that one.) Spring Beauty and Toothwort were popping up too. 

White Troutlilly

As we reached the right spot, we walked between the trees. Plenty of speckled  troutlilly leaves were around, but only one was actually blooming. The ones we saw were beginning to go to seed pods. Well, we said, it's cloudy and windy today and they like bright sunshine to show off. Also, by the end of March, we may simply be too late. Better luck next year!

Virginia Bluebells

As we turned behind the edible gardens, we remarked that early wild flowers are much like migrating birds, except they don't fly away when you try to take their pictures. Both are exceptional at camouflage. The forest floor is covered with brown leaves, and that's basically all your eye sees. The wildflower plants are short and hard to see until you are right next to them. They don't grow well in disturbed areas. In fact, I expect to see more at Bernheim since it has not been farmed for so long. We think we heard a Pine Warbler in the pines, but couldn't spot him among all the pine cones that look like birds from a distance.

Cascading Creek

Rock Run is the best trail to find wild flowers in my opinion. The creek in front of the parking lot was full of water, when normally it is quite dry. We must have had more rain last night then I thought. We carefully walked the trail to avoid mud, leaves and killer roots and rocks.

Rue Anemone

Once again, Rue bloomed more than anything else. One side of the valley is sunnier than the other and things bloom there first.

Sedge and Moss

Star Chickweed

Normally we think of chickweed as a weed, but the native Star Chickweed is quite lovely.

Toothwort

Toothwort also closes its blossoms if the sun isn't shining. 

Wood Betony

Water Leaf

Some plants are starting their leaves while the blossoms will come later in the season. 

Walking Fern

Christmas ferns and Walking ferns don't bloom at all of course.

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Yellow Troutlily

In another week or so, on a nice sunny day we can try the Rock Run Loop again and find lots of Yellow Troutlillies blooming, but today there was only one brave enough to give it a try. 

Actually, we don't mind a little rain. It's run to listen to the creek chuckle with joy at being filled with life-giving water!