On this day, I decided to explore the countryside north of Oakville. I learned that much of it is suburban development, industrial development or farms.
Tough to find natural areas even on rural side roads. My first discovery was this:
Here is what I found nearby:
My second stop was by a stream where I was able to climb a steep hill into a Sugar Maple forest.
This bird watched me with interest:
Plants on the hill:
My final stop was also by water
beside this road:
A short walk into the woods and some treasures were revealed:
I save the best for last. Claytonia virginica grows in upland forests such as at Sunnybrook Park but it also grows in lowland, even mucky forests such as the one I was in. The forest floor was carpeted in the perfectly named Spring-beauty.
The Latin “Claytonia” comes from botanist John Clayton (1694 – 1774) who was one of the earliest plant collectors in Virginia.
NATURE POETRY
Again the blackbirds sing; the streams
Wake, laughing, from their winter dreams,
And tremble in the April showers
The tassels of the maple flowers. – John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92)
Miles Hearn
Miles, Thank you for sharing your spring. It is such a joy to see our beautiful outside world while we are sheltered at home.
Best wishes for your safety and health,
Marilyn
Wonderful / radiating / knowledge sharing. Thank you, Miles.
Spring beauties, indeed! Thanks Miles!
Insofar as the gravestone is concerned: Reading such stones, and I do, I am often reminded of the many women who died in childbirth back then. It may have been something else, but it is often this, suggested also when more than one wife is listed for one man.