It may be the last day of April, but if feels more like early March instead and it wasn’t a nice or sunny day to go hiking at a park. The April rains are supposed to bring May flowers but some area may get some cold snow instead. Maybe next weekend will bring a more pleasant day for enjoying nature hike.
Hike Across the Covered Bridge
One of the more abundant shrub in Wisconsin bogs is the Leather-leaf, which the leaves are leathery in texture. And it is a good thing their little bell shape blossoms hang down or they would get filled with water the next few days.
Blossoms of Leather-leaf
The day started below freezing but at least the sun came out for those planting trees this Arbor Day. But those new little trees will take a while to reach high into the sky. I actually un-planted a bitternut tree (or at least a nut) when I was planting my flowers and discovered the nut that they chipmunks had buried in my flower pot.
Reaching for the Sky
When I think of trees with needles, I don’t picture them bare during the winter but Tamarack trees do turn a pretty yellow in the fall before they shed their needles. In the spring, new growth emerges with 10 to 20 needles per cluster and make the tree green again.
Tamarack New Needles
With the mention of snow and ice in the forecast and below freezing temperatures at night, it is a good thing that I haven’t spotted any hummingbirds back yet. But I bet some of the other birds that have returned wished they were still down south, including this Sandhill Crane.
Sandhill Crane
While chipmunks might be cute, like this one perched on the rock, they dug out my poor flowers and buried one with its blossoms down in the hole with its roots up in the air. They also managed to dig up my newly planted seeds in less then 48 hours. They have the whole yard and woods to dig up but they seem to like my pots on the porch better.
Troublesome Chipmunk
A few miles can make a big difference in the variety of wildflowers found. This trailing plant with clusters of sweet-smelling pink or white blooms which are only about a half inch can be found growing under tall conifers and deciduous trees in acidic soil. Trailing arbutus, also called mayflower or mayflower trailing arbutus, is an ancient plant that has existed since the last glacier period. According to folklore, this flower was the first spring-blooming plant the pilgrims saw after their first winter in the new country.
The seeds of the plant are dispersed by ants, but the plant rarely produces fruit and trailing arbutus wildflowers are nearly impossible to transplant and is protected by law in many states. It has become rare in areas so it is a treat to stumble across some.
Trailing Arbutus
The few sunny days lately are a treat from the rainy weather and gives a chance of seeing a pretty sunset too.
April Sunset
The warmer and sunny day had butterflies fluttering around the yard and the cats unsuccessfully tried to catch them. The day also heard the noisy sound from tiny wren now that they have returned this spring.
Tiny Wren
My birds were complaining that their feeder was empty today. It seems like all my pets are demanding – my cats, even my frog, and birds – all wanting food, petting or other attention. Even these steers are wondering where their feed is and why their dinner is late.
Where’s the Feed
