Central Ohio NatureTiny and Seldom Seen
Posted on April 11, 2021
Early spring wildflowers in late March and early April continue to enchant us. In some wooded areas flowers almost cover the the forest floor. Spring is not new experience in our lives but every year with it comes a renewed sense of wonder. Recently, during a hike at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park a bonus was seeing a very small butterfly and it was one we had never seen before. Adding to the joy of looking at wildflowers is the reward gained trying different angles, light, and compositions as we try to capture their unique beauty. A meditation of something fast passing.
A cardinal sings as we look for wildflowers.
In the last few days hiking the trails at Battelle Darby Creek MP, as well as a few other locations in central Ohio, our search has been rewarded.
To complete the enchantment as we made our way back to the trailhead we spotted a tiny dark and seldom seen butterfly. It was a Henry’s Elfin and a new butterfly for us. It uses redbud as a host plant and is an early spring species.
Each time we enter the spring woods it offers us something new. The season’s gift of which we never tire.
Thanks for stopping by.
Early Spring Wildflowers At Clifton Gorge
Posted on April 6, 2019
We had been seeing early spring wildflowers closer to home so we though a trip to Clifton Gorge, an area known for it’s unspoiled beauty as well as wildflowers, to see what might be popping up. Driving to our destination we tempered our enthusiasm by agreeing that sometimes it’s just as important to take note of what one doesn’t see as well as what one does. and besides there are few places in Ohio that are better to take a hike.
Conifers along the Little Miami River add color to an otherwise drab early spring landscape.
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We didn’t have to walk far before we realized we wouldn’t be disappointed. True, some flowers still had a way to go:
Dutchman’s Breeches a few days away from being in full bloom.
Actually, this Bloodroot may have opened up later in the day.
Toadshade Trillium’s leaves are beautiful. In this case, the flower, which never really opens up, is a few days away from blooming.
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With dryer weather later in the year, this small waterfall will be no more.
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But other flowers were in full bloom.
Hepatica getting ready to open, (Donna). There are 39 native Ohio species.
Along with the Snow Trillium and Harbinger of Spring, Hepatica is one of the earliest Ohio wildflowers to bloom, (Donna).
Hepatica, in this case sharp lobed, showing it’s leaves which disappear quickly once the flowers bloom, (Donna).
Bloodroot, trying to catch up.
This Blue Hepatica was stunning, (Donna).
A few Snow Trillium were still in bloom.
Snow Trillium.
Seeming to be a bit early, Wild Ginger was also found.
Wild Ginger has a flower but you need to look closely, (Donna).
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Along the river.
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Perhaps the most exciting find, Scarlet Cup Fungi, was no a flower at all. It occurs from late winter to early spring and was spotted it in several locations
A Scarlet Cup group perhaps a bit past their prime.
This one looked as though it had emerged more recently and had lovely color and shape.
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We hope to get back to Clifton Gorge in a couple of weeks to see how things have changed and very few things speak of change as clearly as spring.
Thanks for stopping by.
A favorite Clifton Gorge landscape.
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Central Ohio Nature 