Spring Pilgrimage to Calmes Neck

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

 

This year's VNPS annual pilgrimage to Calmes Neck took place under a light drizzle--a very welcome bit of rain, since our area is still under severe to extreme drought, but it was chilly. Our walk started as usual, at the top of a hill where the Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) was about finished blooming, and the dwarf Delphiniums (Delphinium tricorne) were in bud, but not yet open. The Toadshade (Trillium sessile) was also blooming--their curious flowers never fully open.

 

One lone bud of Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla)

Toadshade (Trillium sessile)

 

One unusual sighting we came across was this brightly-colored jelly fungus called Witches' Butter growing on a fallen trunk.

 

Witches' Butter fungus (Tremella mesenterica)

Dropping down the hillside into a little valley, the Virginia Bluebells were out in force. I'd noticed on previous years that here and there one finds some pink as well as a few all-white flowers among the masses of bluebells, and it was explained that Bluebells are sensitive to soil PH, much like Hydrangeas, and the blue color indicates normally acidic soil, while pink indicates a more alkaline spot. The white bluebells are not albinos, but a genetic variation of the species that crops up once in a while.

 

Hillside of Virginia Bluebells.

 

 

Pink Virginia bluebells.

White Virginia Bluebells.

Bluebells along the river.

 

It was quite muddy at the bottom of the trail, and we stepped carefully, trying to avoid stomping down the Bluebells, but it was unavoidable.---they were so lush! The Harbinger-of-spring, one of the earliest of spring ephemerals, was setting seed, but the Spring Beauties, though wide-spread, were not open in the rain. The Cut-leaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) was also in bloom.

 

Harbinger-of-spring (Erigenia bulbosa) setting seed.

 

Cut-leaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

 As we were reaching the trail parallel to the Shenandoah River, Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) and Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) began to make their appearance. It's impossible for me to distinguish the leaves of one from the other, but the flowers are certainly different. The bulblet at the roots are different colors too--as I recall, reddish or pinkish for the Squirrel Corn, cream color for the Dutchman's Breeches.

 

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis)

A particularly lush specimen of Dutchman's Breeches

 

Getting up towards the rock ledges overlooking the river was a bit tricky, the rain made for slippery footing. I didn't dare peek at the walking ferns on a large rock, there's a precipitous drop below. The wind off the river was particularly sharp on the exposed ledges.

There were large expanses of Rue Anemones in bloom--I don't think I'd ever seen them this profuse before. These were my last photos before the charge on my phone gave out completely. 

 

Rue Anemones (Thalictrum thalictroides)

 

Expanse of Rue Anemones above the Shenandoah River.

Early saxifrage ( Micranthes virginensis) and Rattlesnakeweed (Hieracium venosum)

 I wasn't able to get any shots of the ferns that were emerging on the ledges, since I didn't have a spare camera on me. Oh well, better luck next time.

Spring Flowers at Daniels Area

Spring on the Patapsco at Daniels, watercolor, 10" x 14."

Taking advantage of yet another sunny spring day, I went out to Patapsco State Park again. This time I chose the near-by Daniels area, noted for its north-facing hillsides with steep rock ledges where unusual flowers grow. I hadn't had a chance to explore this area in spring, and there are a few miles of hiking, so it was best to travel light. I tucked a small watercolor kit and camera in my backpack.

I was not disappointed--the ledges were covered with the fine blue-green foliage of Dutchman's Breeches, though only a few flowers were blooming. Tiny flowers of Early Saxifrage and Slender Toothwort had found purchase on the rocks. There was a brisk breeze blowing from the west, and I was glad I had a warm jacket.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Early Saxifrage

Slender Toothwort

The most exciting find was a clump of Wild Columbines high up on a ledge of the tallest promontory. The flowers were a lovely bright pink with touches of yellow. I wanted to find a way to get closer to photograph them, but that could wait until after painting. I would take the photos on my way back.

In the meantime, I continued my hike upstream looking for a likely spot to set up and paint, eventually settling on a bend of the river where the silvery trunks of sycamore maples contrasted with the tender green foliage of the opposite bank. I ate my lunch and started painting. As the afternoon wore on the breeze died down and it got a little warmer, but my fingers were numb from the chill by the time I finished.

On the walk back I found a way to climb to the top of the steep rock formation from a more reasonable slope at the rear, but it was impossible to see the Columbines from above. No way would I risk a fall from such a height. I had to content myself with climbing a few feet up the sheer rock face and use the zoom to get as close as possible for this shot.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)