Every year, Jamestown Audubon offers a Mother’s Day Walk at its Bentley Sanctuary off of Fluvanna Avenue near the Strunk Road exit of Route 86. I like to go on the Saturday before to see what’s blooming, and try to capture some fresh shots that maybe we can use next year to advertise the walk. Here’s what I got yesterday:
The Blue Cohosh was challenging because it was rather breezy!
Toothwort was valiantly competing with invasions of Garlic Mustard. I’m not sure I can say it is winning. But I did find several patches.
Marsh Marigolds were definitely the brightest flowers in the forest!
There were plenty of White Trillium – this one armed and dangerous with a Crab Spider waiting patiently for a would-be pollinator.
Red Trillium were fewer in number than white.
There were several large patches of Spring Beauties.
I also saw but didn’t photograph Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Solomon’s Seal (buds), Trout Lilies, Common Blue Violets, Yellow Violets, Garlic Mustard, Dandelions, Cuckoo Flower, and Speedwell. There were leaves of several other species that will bloom later including bellworts and False Hellebore. And of course there was a LOT of Skunk Cabbage!
I’ve been trying for years to get that magical fiddlehead picture. Here are some attempts:
Finally, a couple of fungi caught my eye for their texture:
Happy Mother’s Day! Take a hike!
Take a hike is right! The best thing my mother did for us was to take use on walks in the woods, starting at a very young age.
What beautiful photos! Can I assume you use a special lens for closeup work?
I have a 10x magnifier that screws on to the front of my 18-55mm kit lens.
Walking is the best gift a mother can give to her children 🙂
Fabulous photos!!! Love them all… 🙂