Yesterday I decided to go for a walk in the woods at a local park. The trail is not that long, but it is nice. It's even better in the summer, but I still managed to find a couple hidden treasures along the trail. The first thing I stumbled across was a Crane-Fly Orchid (Tipularia discolor). I always like finding these. I don't know why, but they do have a special place in my heart and they were everywhere after I found the first couple. I also like them because they have a nice dark purple under their leaf. Crane-Fly Orchid ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Crane-Fly Orchid ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) The next thing I came across is the Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). These are always very common in the woods here, but I like them. Christmas Fern ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) The next thing is a bit of a rarity this far down from the mountains. It is Hepatica or Liverleaf (Hepatica americana). Hepatica americana ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) I came across this whilst looking for liverworts, but instead I found what I think might be some species of Selaginella. It might be Selaginella apoda. Selaginella? ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) These next pictures were within the vicinity of the Selaginella picture. ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from FlowerFreak22's Garden ) Although there wasn't too much to see, it was still a nice walk and definitely worth the while.
Ah, Flower Freak, I like your perspective in this little collection of pictures. There is always something special going on if we just take the time to look.... What a good reminder. I especially like the naturalness of these photos, the undisturbed, quiet charm of Nature. I can imagine you enjoyed yourself and your Discoveries.
What a nice series of fotos, FF. I always enjoy seeing things that grow in other places. It is interesting to see that things are already beginning there. There isn't much green here except the grass at the moment.
How I wish more people would take the time to see what's under their feet. Many 'townies' don't appreciate nature in the way we all do here on GardenStew which is a real pity. They certainly don't know what they're missing do they? Thanks for posting your photographs as it makes me think that spring isn't too far away. :-D
Your photos and observations have inspired me! I'm taking a while to walk the pasture today to see what I can find, and I'll sneak around the rim of the pond if the wild ducks aren't there (they're flighty and scare easily)and explore. Thank you for reminding us to keep our eyes and minds open!
Very nice picture! And the Christmas Fern, well, we over here buy it from the plant nurseries, as an indoor plant (as it doesn't grow here naturally).
Thanks for sharing your walk with us. I loved to wander thru the wooded area not far from where I lived as a kid. I had no idea what the plants were but I loved finding them. Not a lot of woodsy or pasture areas around here to wander thru but I have been wanting to find an area where I can photograph some of the native plants and ID them.
Daisybeans - I did enjoy myself. It was very quiet and had time to think about things between the discoveries. Sojerd - Thanks! Actually things are not really starting to grow. The plants I found are evergreen except for the Hepatica which was very strange to see at this time of year. It usually appears during the spring although we have had a series of oddly warm days which could have brought it out too soon. Eileen - They certainly don't realize the beauty that is under their feet. If they would just slow down a bit from all the hustle and bustle of modern life and look down, they might just see something beautiful and something that might make them look at the world differently. I can't wait for spring either, just a couple more months. Marlingardener - You are welcome. I'm glad you and everyone else have enjoyed them. Good luck on your walk and I hope you take pictures of whatever you might find. S-H - Thanks! That's interesting that it is sold as a houseplant over there. I never thought of it like that probably because it grows all throughout the woods here. Toni - You're welcome! I always loved wandering through the woods when I was younger too. I wasn't like most of the other kids who stayed inside. I was usually always outside doing something and exploring nature to it's absolute fullest. As you can tell I too love wandering around the woods or any other natural area to see what kind of plants I can find and identify. Sometimes I will travel up to 2 or more hours away just to find a spot that I have never walked in before.
