Nearing the Summit

Decidedly rockier near the summit.

With various kinds of vegetation trying to hang on in what can be, I think, a pretty harsh environment.

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Variety

 

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

Leverett Trail

Leverett Trail

Milkweed

No, this isn't why people hike the Leverett Triail, at least not the principle reason. This is just -- I think -- Common Milkweed, of which there is an abundance along that part of the trail that empties out onto what remains of the Teawaddle Hill Farm. As is true of the milkweed growing at York River State Park near my home, it's a dining favorite of the Monarch butterfly, among other species.

Paperplant

The Julian Shrine, Norwich

Ferns

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

Surprising how plants like these, arranged and layered so carefully, can make you feel cooler even on what was otherwise a terribly hot and humid afternoon.

Lines

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

I was fascinated--mesmerized, really--by the patterns here at the entrance to the Frelinghuysen's summer home.

Wall Fountain

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

One of my favorites spots in any garden that has one.

New Growth

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

Vertical

Smith College Botanic Garden

Northampton, Massachusetts

Variety

Smith College Botanic Garden

Northampton, Massachusetts

Corm

Smith College Botanic Garden

Northampton, Massachusetts

I wish now that I had checked what appears to be a label on the back side of this pot. Without it, I had no idea what kind of plant this was. Very interesting corm, though, don't you think?

Cape Jasmine

Cape Jasmine

Smith College Botanic Garden

Northampton, Massachusetts

Shade

Smith College Botanic Garden

Northampton, Massachusetts

Botanic Garden

Smith College Botanic Garden in Northampton, Massachusetts

Flora

 

 

Tower Road

Mount Toby Recreation Area

 

My last photos of my trek to the top of Mount Toby include my favorite flora, birch trees (above) and wood ferns (below), that add so much visual interest to these northern woods. Coming up: photos of Sawmill River.

Rewards

Took the Tower Road coming down from Mount Toby's summit, which had its own rewards. The first was finding this Indian Pipe (above) growing along the side of the road. Another was this Flowering Raspberry (below).

Spotted Joe-Pyeweed

Wentworth Farm Conservation Area

Amherst, Massachusetts

"Spotted joe-pyeweed thrives in marshes, rich fens and swamps. It also does well in man-made moist expanses such as ditches, seepage areas and wet fields. Above all else the plant flourishes in the non-shaded environments that are also abundant in wetlands.

It is a larval host to the Clymene moth, the eupatorium borer moth, the ruby tiger moth, and the three-lined flower moth. The plant also attracts butterflies and honeybees." -- Wikipedia

Staghorn Sumac

Wentworth Farm Conservation Area

Amherst, Massachusetts

Staghorn Sumac "flowers in June to July depending on the part of the country in which it is found. Bees, wasps, and beetles are strongly attracted to the flowers. Some bird and small mammal species eat the fruits. The fruits are sometimes soaked in water to make a tart, somewhat lemony drink. It is occasionally cultivated for its bright red to maroon fall color and persistent red fruits. Numerous lacey leaf cultivars exist. Without attention, it can become weedy." -- U. S. Department of Agriculture

Pond

Wentworth Farm Conservation Area

Amherst, Massachusetts