Friday, June 29, 2012

Woodland Flowers

      I went for a walk in the woods yesterday to find some flowers. Well, it actually wasn't a walk. I have a piece of recreational property and very little of it has been developed so there are quite a few wild flowers that show up over the summer. The property has old growth poplar trees. A poplar forest has a heavy undergrowth which by itself is an interesting level of the forest. I have cleared a minimal amount so there are areas where it is open. So yesterday my walk was really mowing grass. However, over the years I have noticed the various plants. This is my first time photographing some and I find that I don't know many names. 


This is the Twin Flower. It likes moist mossy woods. It grows very thickly and is a bout 3-4 in high.

The bell like flowers have a vivid pink center.
Ordinarily the twin flowers hang down
A faded rose with a visitor. It is now the end of season for roses so they look a little the worse for wear.
Lily of the Valley (Maianthemum canadense)

Twinning Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica)   This is quite common in open woodlands
       So my grass cutting was done in between much flower watching. I was watching for the Round Leafed Orchid. I found two of them but before I could stop my mower I ran over them. I looked for others but couldn't find any.

       I've always been interested in native plants . This has made me put some effort into identifying and  learning about them.

23 comments:

  1. A lovely walk even if it was behind a mower. I have to say that my eyes have opened wider to plant life and nature in general since acquiring my camera. It's always nice what others find and share.

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    1. You gave me the idea for going for a walk and taking pictures. It's a great way to take pictures and tell a story.

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  2. Very nice selection, I always love the woodland blooms.

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    1. I'm a prairie boy and will never forget how full of flowers the prairie can be.

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  3. Great nature walk. Thanks for taking us along.

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    1. It's nice to feel that people feel like they are on the walk with me.

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  4. Finding and identifying wildflowers is a very intensive task! I enjoy seeing them, and then, hope to have a clear enough photo to identify them when I get home! Love the little Twin Flower - don't think I have seen one of those!

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    1. I found some sites on native Alberta plants. I also found a site on Flickr with pictures of all flowers.

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  5. It is till spring in your area it seems. Our little wildflowers are all gone. Just the summer blooms like queen anne's lace.

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    1. Yes, our season is compressed. In the Rockies it's early spring. Snow is melting and crocuses are all over the place.

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  6. ooh, neat! would love to see more of your property. poplars i don't see here. and i just love native woods and the plants that grow there.

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    1. You give me a good idea for another post.

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  7. Such pretty little flowers. I think I could make a case for you letting the grass grow if you are on the lookout for exotic wildflowers. It's always nice to visit you, Red.

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    1. I do let the grass grow quite bit. this isn't a city lawn or anything . That's why I see these flowers.

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  8. Red what a blessing to have spaces to explore, the wildflowers are an immense bonus. I too have a passion for wildflowers in their natural environment so the more you identify and post, well the more I'll learn about them.

    Thank you.

    I hope you're enjoying your weekend, it's a hot one here in the city.

    Cheers.

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    1. There are many places to look but these places are becoming more fragmented all the time.

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  9. Thanks for the walk, I'm glad we didn't have to help mow the grass ;)

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    1. I do like going on filed trips and then I don't have to mow.

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  10. this is so cool--i love seeing the different plants--thanks!

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    1. Plants are like anything else the more we see the more connections we can make to a lot of other stuff. Like it opens our mind!!!

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  11. What a pretty collection of flowers! I bought a field guide to Ontario wildflowers but it's been slow going. I am a lot better at identifying wildlife!!

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    1. I found a flikr page that has pictures and descriptions of all Alberta native flowers. It's easier than a field guide to use. For more in depth stuff you need a good field guide.

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  12. How fun this trip with you in YOUR GREEN world this is!


    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
    http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

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