We have had a crazy spring to say the least! Temperatures all over the place, snow, rain, sleet, you name it we’ve had it. But this weekend was truly a glorious one and made us forget all the bad stuff Mother Nature has thrown at us the last few weeks (or maybe months). In between catching up with the yard work, Steve and I got out to enjoy the spring that has finally arrived.
We started off with a hike off the beaten trail at the Morton Arboretum. The spring bulbs were in full color.
But what really caught my eye were the spring wildflowers we found. Some of these I haven’t seen in years, so it was fun to keep our heads down and see what early spring wildflowers we could find.
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)–The sun was shining on this patch so the flowers were wide open. They’ll close up at night and last only a couple of days.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)–This area is usually flooded, but not much rain this week so a nice big patch of Marsh Marigold glowed in the distance.
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)–This flower that just screams spring covered a woody hillside making it look almost cloud white. Stunning!
White Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum)–There were trout lily leaves everywhere, but it wasn’t until almost at the end of the walk we finally saw a few flowers. Trout Lilies, or Adders-tongues as I used to know them by, take years to finally mature and bloom, and then it’s only for a few days.
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) -This has to be my favorite of the day! The flowers truly look like pantaloons with the ankles upward hanging from a clothesline.
May-apple (Podophyllum peltatum)--Not quite blooming yet, but soon.
Besides the flowers that were enjoying the spring warmth, so were the turtles. In this pond, every log had multiple turtles sunning themselves.
We finished the day by exploring the 2016 special exhibit “Ribbit! The Exhibit“. There are 23 larger-than-life copper frogs taking part in a variety of activities, all centered around the visitors center. J.A. Cobb, a North Carolina-based sculptor, fashioned these fun sculptures from sheets of copper around steel armatures. Here’s my favorite–
And in keeping with this frog’s theme, I did see and hear many birds on our walk, including a pair of Wood Ducks and a Pileated Woodpecker.
What’s your favorite spring flower?
Fantastic spring flowers Stephi. Dutchman’s Breeches is my favorite too but everything is special. I think I may have seen other works by Cobb.
I too love spring flowers. So hardy and hopeful. Sometimes they get lucky like this past weekend. I feel like I have seen Cobb’s work before as well. Maybe in the Kiawah, SC area?
I haven’t been to Morton arboretum in so many years. A visit is overdue!
That’s how I felt when I went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens last year. How great to have 2 such amazing places in one city.