Photo: April 23, 2008
I found this metallic green bug slowly crossing our driveway. It's the Tiger Bug (Cicindela sexguttata). Sexguttata refers to the six white spots on the perimeter of the half-inch long body. He eats other insects smaller than himself including larvae. Luckily, I didn't touch him as I read he might bite.
Photo: April 25, 2008
The Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) is in the Buttercup family and flowers about the same time as the non-native Buttercup which is abundant in the wet pastures. I spotted the first flower on April 21.
Photo: April 25, 2008
Another member of the Buttercup family is the Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) which likes to grow on rocky hillsides. The appearance of the buds coincides with the arrival of the ruby-throated hummingbirds, signalling me to put the feeder up.
Photo: April 25, 2008
Last year, I removed a stand of the non-native garlic mustard in front of our machine shed. In its place this year grew a thick stand of May-apples (Podophyllum peltatum). They are welcome to stay.
Photo: April 28, 2008
Virginia Bluebells or Virginia Cowslip (Mertensia virginica) line both sides of Walker Creek. This plant is in the Forget-Me-Not family rather than the Bluebell family. The flowers have been blooming for a week already.
This afternoon, I ventured outside after the rain stopped (we received 1-1/2 inches since last night!).
Photo: April 28, 2008
Some of the May-apples are already blooming. Mostly, they bloom in May and bear their "apples" in June. Maybe they should be called June-apples around here!
