Thursday, May 19, 2011

Some Bright Skies, Scenes and Flora of the Vermilon River. A Post to Skywatch Friday.

N Wetland East Track.



The weather has been spotty with even some negative temperatures. But mostly it's been overcast with some rain and some sunshine. So I've hiked around the probability of rain. As you can see from the scenes, the sun was out when I took them, and the skies are clear and blue. I've been staying around the N. wetland of the east track area to see if the otters or muskrats have returned to the channel after it was cleaned out. But so far no sign of them. This area is an easy staging area for the hike into the Long Lake Wetland, which is that initial gloppy area that Boomer dislikes so much. Even with the bit of warm weather we've had the forest is awakening so you're going to see scenes and flora in this post. The wildlife will have to wait until the next post.

The switch over to photographing wild flowers means I have to recall what I learned last year in terms of identification and camera technology. So be prepared for an amazing display of ignorance in both areas.




The Gloppy Entrance to the Wetland.


Long Lake Wetland


Another View Of The Gloppy Entrance to the Wetland.



The two photos are out of sequence, but it doesn't matter. Crossing the creek showing in the gloppy photos is a chore as the muck is like quick sand and you readily sink in it. So I pick my way across it fairly gingerly using my cane.

The Rock wall of The Wetland.


Wetland showing Channel that leads to Upper Lakes.







The Wetland itself is large and there's another trail leading north that I haven't tried out yet. It was in here that I first saw the Turkey Buzzards.

Showing Channel again.


Blueberry Flowers



The wild blueberries are starting to flower. These are blown up quite a bit. They're about the size of  a quarter your pinkie finger nail.

Dogwood








The Dogwood is in bloom in forest clearings as well. I'm not certain about the Dog Bane identification, but it's the closest that I could come.It's a small flower also, not as small as the blueberry flower, but close.

Dog Bane


Dogwood


Dog Bane


Unknown




This one is a total unknown to me, but it sure is interesting with that little corkscrew addition on it. Again these are blown up as they're fairly small. If anybody knows what they are just add a comment.
Woolly Violets

The Violets are favourites of mine because they're so colourful in comparison to the whites. But that's what you get in this forest-vivid colours against white and green backgrounds.
Woolly Violets




I blew the violets up even more here for a closer glimpse. They're also small, the same size as the blueberry flowers. In both cases it's the mass of the plants that makes such a vivid display in the clearings.

Tree in Growth


Unknown



Of course the evergreens are growing even in the most inhospitable areas. I don't have the vaguest notion of what this red guy is. But he's an interesting colour also.

 Surprised I could get through a whole post without any wildlife??






A Post to Sky Watch Friday.

27 comments:

  1. You have such beautiful wildflowers there. We had dogwood trees in Atlanta and I really miss them.

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  2. laughing. :)

    'amazing display of ignorance'. :)))))

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  3. No display or ignorance what-so-ever, as far as I'm concerned... it's all very very beautiful!!!

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  4. If you wanna see a display of ignorance, come check out my post today! LoL! =)

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  5. Lovely collection of photos, thanks for taking SWF on tour with you, being able to enjoy and appreciate nature is one of the greatest joys in life

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  6. Love all those blueberry blossoms. Hope you get some of those blueberries before the bears!

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  7. Beautiful, terrific photos as always, Gary! Love the blueberry blossoms, too! Thanks for taking us along! I always enjoy you and Boomers hikes! Hope you both have a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  8. these flowers are such a fine sight. happy weekend.

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  9. Beautiful photos from your nature!

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  10. You always show us wonderful sceneries and this time a beautiful blossom series too.

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  11. Wonderful photos and the sky is awesome - must have been a terrific day :)
    It is also awesome to be welcomed by Boom every visit here :)

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  12. your blueberry flowers are white??? Ours are red. Had no clue there was a difference.

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  13. I love the shape of the blueberry and dog bane blooms. Very much like lily of the valley. So pretty! :)

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  14. Such a beautiful place, and I love violets!

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  15. Beautiful photos, I love the violets. Lovely series, Happy skywatching.

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  16. Great shots Gary, your wild flowers are beautiful, ours, are just starting, no blooms yet, but won`t be long...

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  17. Wonderful series of photos, Gary. I love seeing the wildflowers, especially the violets.
    Hugs to your beautiful Boomer, who is probably lonely when you go squishing off to the gloppy places without him. I've never yet had a dog who understood "I'm leaving you behind for your own good"!
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  18. These are beautiful captures! Like the blueberry blooms and the Dog Bane is beautiful. I haven't heard of it before!

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  19. Beautiful scenery!!! And, the flower photos are excellent--simple beautiful. Have a lovely weekend. Mickie :)

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  20. So beautiful shots, all of them!

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  21. Hi Gary

    Another great tour. Glad to see you are getting a chance at some lovely flowers shots.

    Guy

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  22. Looks like spring has arrived in the North! A beautiful sequence Gary!

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  23. What wonderfully clear blue skies you have. Love the water and all those flowers.

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  24. Love the first one a lot - the sun glistening on the water is beautiful.
    Always envy the amount of wilderness around you. You have a beautiful 'playground'.

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  25. Beautiful place with such lovely flowers. Very scenic.

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