A Dazzling Display of Forest Wildflowers

Red Trillium had a good showing in the old woods

It was impossible to keep on top of everything as it happened this spring. The wildflowers in the old woods had gotten off to a slow start, but then unseasonably warm temperatures at the onset of May caused everything to explode out of the ground. Leaves also came out almost overnight and transformed naked winter-like tree tops into a shady canopy.  The earliest wildflowers like Spring Beauty, Hepatica and Bloodroot enjoyed an extended bloom time, while virtually all of the second wave blooms were much shorter lived.  

Large-flowered Bellwort with its unusual drooping and leaf-like flower

Trout Lily also known as Dog-tooth Lily

Toad Shade - some years it's the first to bloom - this year it's way down on the list

Toad Shade Trillium flowers sometimes have green petals 

One of our rarest flowers - Rue Anemone

False Rue Anemone

Jack-in-the-Pulpit is enjoying a long blooming period despite the warm weather

Red Trillium at the height of its power

Close to the ground and often missed - Wild Ginger flowers

Wild Ginger 

One of the last Bloodroot flowers to keep its petals 

Spring Beauties 

Dutchman's Breeches were rare this spring

Twinleaf bloomed for a very short time

Round-leaved Yellow Violet

White Sweet Violet

Long-spurred Violet

Goldenseal

White Trillium in all its glory

Foam Flower

Miterwort or False Bishop's Cap

Moosewood or Northern Striped Maple

Scarlet Elf Cup - a Fungus

Fiddleheads of the Christmas Fern

Fiddleheads of the Long-leaf Beech Fern

The forest's official greeter

Exciting News From Our Peregrine Falcon Nest

There's been lots of excitement with our Utica Peregrine Falcons just lately. Last night there was an obvious hole in one of the 4 eggs. Also, thanks to our new microphone, for the first time we were able to hear the calls of the chick inside the egg. Early this morning the hatch finally occurred and before noon the first feeding took place.

We started the morning with 4 eggs - one looked and sounded ready to open

Early this morning Astrid takes a food offering from Ares

At 6:21 AM, the egg (middle back) begins to open

The Hatch taking place

The new chick is still wet and pink, but starting to dry off

Ares drops off some prey for the chick's first feeding

Astrid tears off tiny pieces of meat for the youngster

Ares gets his chance to mind the new chick on his own

Ares gets a chance to brood the eggs and chick - but Astrid returns in less than 10 minutes

Astrid looks stressed as she shades the brood from the hot afternoon sun