I sit here writing my very first blog entry. It isn't any great dissertation on nature, but observations and timelines based on my now 38th year of trying to capture images I have been blessed to see.
This probably ranks as my favorite time of year -Spring! I particularly am drawn to capture the ephemeral spring wild flowers that at times blanket the woodland floor. Many are reclusive models, growing close to the warmth of the ground. They have little sympathy as I try to lower myself to their level to get a better angle.
Every spring I go in search of these beauties, liken to going to see a friend you haven't seen for a year.
Today I was at Medoc Mountain State Park, North Carolina with my wife Donna and my dog Zari. Zari is the 5th dog who has accompanied me to the woods, more interested in all the variety of smells not so much in the flowers. Donna has accompanied me on most of my explorations.
Today I was rewarded with several beautiful flowers. Along a stream with very little water was the showy atamasco lily (Zephyranthes atamaco). This beautiful flower is mostly snow white, but a few are tinged in pink.
The trailing arbutus (Epigaea repend) and little brown jugs so glorious a few weeks ago are now withered.
The highlight of the day was a nice colony of the woodland orchid Pink Lady's Slipper (Cyprepedium reginae). Fifteen of these beauties were growing around the base of two large loblolly pines. Although most think of tropical environments for orchids, several terrestriol species are found in moderate climates. Never consider transplanting these flowers because a fungus growing around the root provides nourishment for the plant and would unlikely be duplicated in a transplanted site. It is best to admire its beauty when discovered.
Other flowers seen were bluets (Houstonia caerulea), rattlesnake weed (Hieracium venosum), may-apple (Podophyllum peltaium), and bright red trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).
It was a great 3 mile hike under sunny skies wit great companionship. I hope you will check back in as I try to walk you through some of the beauty of nature.
