https://youtu.be/4iJyvVMHBKw It's high summer. Haze, high humidity, intense heat, and the threat of thunderstorms have become a daily routine. Last week, as the temperature briefly dipped into the mid-80s (F), and the forecast included thunderstorms for the next five days, we took a quick opportunity to get out to the local produce farm with a…Read more Summer Sunflowers
Flower
Dayhike: American Chestnut Land Trust – Oriole Trail
Last weekend I took the opportunity in the wake of a strong cold front to go check out a new (to me) local trail at the American Chestnut Land Trust, in Calvert County, MD. I had noticed on my GPS app that there was a trail there not already covered by my various path traces,…Read more Dayhike: American Chestnut Land Trust – Oriole Trail
Wildflowers In Not-So-Wild Places
It's late April, and that's a little too late for many wildflowers, and a little early for some others. Regardless, I took a little time today to wander and see what wildflowers I could find here in Maryland. Several of these are tiny, not-showy flowers, and unless you see them in a cluster they're not…Read more Wildflowers In Not-So-Wild Places
Little Stoney Creek
Enjoying a moment of solitude at the end of a long day backpacking. Little Stoney Creek, in GWNF along the VA/WV border. Little Stoney Creek drains the basin between Little Sluice Mountain (east) and Mill Mountain (west), and was a welcome sight after spending the day high and dry among the ridgetops. We also happened…Read more Little Stoney Creek
Bumblebees and Azaleas
Azaleas are a "garden" flower, or maybe a nice shrub to line the driveway - but occasionally, walking through the forest, you see these relics alongside daffodils, indicators of a more human-cultivated past. They bear testimony that a homesite used to stand here, and the plants, and the bees that love them, thrive long after…Read more Bumblebees and Azaleas
New Beginnings
For me, 2018 closed in a cold rain. The year has been a challenge on many fronts - nothing insurmountable, but pressures have altered priorities, focused attention and activity. Engaging with the "friends I've never met" has had to take a back seat. But a New Year is a time to set goals (not just…Read more New Beginnings
Black Locust
Black Locusts are often thought of as "trash trees", covered with thorns, growing on waste ground and forest edges. This time of year though, they're beautiful, profusely flowering with sweet smelling white blooms (flowers that are, by the way, edible)!
Dogwood Flowers
As a kid, I was taught that dogwood flowers were symbolic of the crucifiction. A crown of thorns in the middle of the cross, and blood stains on each petal. They're a little late for Easter this year!
Wisteria
Normally hiding in plain sight, draped over trees, wisteria is in full bloom, with huge cascades of purple flowers. The bumblebees love it!
Redbuds
Spring is finally here! Eastern redbuds are in full bloom, and the dogwoods are not far behind. This is posted partially in response to the Daily Post's Weekly Photo Challenge - "Prolific". See other submissions here.
C’mon Spring!
Spring is trying, REALLY hard, to get here.
Spring at Last!
Spring is finally here, I think. Happy Easter!
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 