Rudbeckia

So common in these parts that I suspect many people pass by these Rudbeckia (aka Black-eyed Susans) without a second thought. But then I think how much interest they add to any landscape. I look forward to seeing them bloom every year.

Buttercups that "Skim"

Make me a picture of the sun --

So I can hang it in my room --

And make believe I'm getting warm

When others call it "Day"!

Draw me a Robin -- on a stem --

So I am hearing him, I'll dream,

And when the Orchards stop their tune --

Put my pretense -- away --

Say if it's really -- warm at noon --

Whether it's Buttercups -- that "skim" --

Or Butterflies -- that "bloom"?

Then -- skip -- the frost -- upon the lea --

And skip the Russet -- on the tree --

Let's play those -- never come!

- Emily Dickinson

Joining Skywatch Friday

High Knob Wildflowers

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Trail Ornaments

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Woodland Sunflower

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

"In spring and summer, the small blue and yellow flowers of bluets or Quaker ladies (Houstonia caerulea) line many trails. May is the time for pink azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) to bloom in the forest and along Skyline Drive, followed by the white flowers of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) in June. Summer is the time for flowers such as columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), milkweed (Asclepias spp), nodding onion (Allium cernuum), ox eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), and turk's cap lily (Lilium superbum) to bloom. Also in summer, look for the yellow and orange flowers of touch-me-nots (Impatiens spp.) along streams and near springs, and countless spiked blooms of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) rising above the forest floor. The Park's growing season concludes with a strong display of goldenrods (Solidago spp.), asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), and wild sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) into the fall." -- Shenandoah National Park

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).

Queen Anne's Lace

I grew up calling this plant Queen Anne's Lace, even though I recognized somewhere in the back of my mind that others called it Wild Carrot. In any case, I've always been attracted to its "lacy" appearance, which I just learned has its origin in a story about Queen of England: 

"Anne, Queen of Great Britain is the Queen Anne for whom the plant is named. It is so called because the inflorescence resembles lace, prominent in fine clothing of the day; the red flower in the center is said to represent a droplet of blood where Queen Anne pricked herself with a needle when she was making the lace." -- Wikepedia

The idea that Anne pricked herself with a needle making the lace strikes me as pure fiction. Still, it's a great story and only serves to further convince me to keep on calling this plant Queen Anne's Lace. :-)

Wentworth Farm

Monarch

 

Beaver Trail

 

Beaver Trail, York River State Park

Smallanthus uvedalia (aka Bear's Foot)

Beaver Trail

Plume Thistle

I returned this past week to York River State Park where I discovered a new kind of thistle blooming.

A certain variety of the plume thistle, I understand, is actually native to this region and is much prized for its ability to attract pollinators.

Bricks

Bee Balm

 

Meadow Beauty

Pine Island Sanctuary Nature Trail

Pickerelweed

 

 

"The species grows as an emergent plant, that is, in flooded conditions, so the plant is generally dependent upon aerenchyma in the stem to carry oxygen into the roots." -- Wikipedia