Woods, Wildflowers, Water

12 May 2011:

After some work in the garden, I packed my camera, some water and a journal and headed back out into the woods to survey and get a better sense of whats out there before I get into mapping. I discovered two native wildflowers in bloom; gaywings and painted trillium. The hobblebush flowers are also in bloom.

"Gaywings" or "fringed polygala" (Polygala paucifolia)

"Painted trillium" (Trillium undulatum)

Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides)

I discovered many more vernal pools and got a chance to take a closer look at some salamander egg masses. I believe this is a cluster of spotted salamander eggs.

Developing egg mass of spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

I'm getting the chance to truly expose myself to all of the incredible little places in my own backyard and i'm beginning to get a better sense of who shares this land with me and my family. Like this little guy I found in a small marsh:

Red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens)