My intention is to spend time in various sections of this large park. There are many wide trails which I avoid in order to find the untrammeled forest. The canopy is just beginning to fill with new leaves. Today was cloudy/sunny.
Two words aptly coin the floral situation today…fresh and delicate. New leaves of many plants such as toothed vibernum, maple, poison ivy, and honeysuckle have entire leaves which are quite beautiful. Insects haven’t had a chance to feed. I saw many subtle colors and strong definitions of vein patterns. Leaves of greenbrier, with their strong sharp thorns are small. They are shiny and tender. Growth is half way and going fast.
I came upon patches of an ephemeral called wood anemone. It is close to the ground, delicate, and beautiful. The pure white flowers dangle above shiny leaves. The small petals remind me of Snow White. I had to lie on the ground to get a good look. This plant is the epitome of freshness. In less than a month, the plants will shrivel and die.
Three ferns were noticeable… Cinnamon, royal, and sensitive. They are rapidly reaching adulthood. Fronds of fern uncoil like a clutched hand slowly opening up to full extension. Bush honeysuckle is in full bloom with delicate off white and yellow flowers. It was snowing the fluff from catkins of gray birch trees. Colonies of moss were noticeable at the base of trees where they have a water supply from rain that falls on the trunk and flows down to the ground. Moss tends to dry over the summer as less water is available. Right now, the moss clumps are turgid green.
The most remarkable sight are the blow downs. Because the water table is so close to the surface, trees growing so close to the bay cannot sink their roots down into soil because the water table is only a few feet below the surface. Many tres is this forest can’t maintain a strong foothold in wind bursts. One of the blow downs had an upright root system that extended 15 feet into the air! Many trees succumbed to gale force winds.
I found a trail that is enclosed on both sides by tall reed grass. I felt like I was in a tunnel. One of the things I like about this park is a great variety of charming scenes. With about a month before the official start of summer, at this time, I was able to experience the delicate and the fresh at it’s peak. I am lucky to have this forest so close at hand. This is a precious place with an unending opportunity to discover and enjoy.