After taking it's sweet time, spring is in full bloom. Some flowers like the bloodroots are already gone, wood anemome are still holding on, and the orchids have begun! The warblers are spotty this year, either not arriving "on time" of in low numbers. We are not in the best path to see them, as they seem to track further east, but every year brings waves of them arriving at once, only to be gone again in a few days. As few as they are, they are always a treat for winter weary eyes.

While wandering the fens the other day, I was paying close attention to where my feet were landing. So many tiny plants grow there, on the few drier spots where one can step. My first discovery was Swamp Lousewort. It is one of two of the pedicularis species that we have here. The other one, Wood Betony, is much more common on the land, on higher and drier areas.

The next thing I was thrilled to see was Naked Miterwort blooming. It is a tiny quirky plant, with blossoms that look like tiny radar dishes. There is a lot of it out there, but easily overlooked.

Then came the orchid. At four inches tall and just a small stalk with blooms on the sides, Early Yellow Coralroot is a thrill for me to find. I usually only find it by standing in a spot, balanced on some moss, and carefully looking all around me for anything. It's bright yellow color helped. I only saw two plants in the area and since they can grow for many years without blooming, it's actual population is hard to guess. There are other species of orchid out there that are just as tiny. I hope to see more this summer, while enjoying the larger species like Yellow Ladyslippers and the ever popular Showy Ladyslipper.

Just yesterday I found a Showy Orchis. They seem to pop up at random, but you may see some if you watch along the path to the path to the memorial Garden.

I hope you are enjoying the woods and fields as much as I am!