Belly Crawl: A Photographer’s Perspective

Blue-eyed Marys along Susan's Path at Olmstead Outlook

Shooting Star at Wildflower Cove

There is a very narrow window each spring in which you can catch this season’s true glory.  And much of it happens just a few inches above the forest floor. 

Ephemeral wildflowers, the first to grace the winter’s barren landscape, are often short lived. Bloodroot, Cut-leaved Toothwort and Trout Lily emerge in early April and are all gone by May. 

Bloodroot

As I crawl with my camera just a few inches above the forest floor the cycle is clear.  This small group of wildflowers time their emergence while temperatures are still cool and long before the forest canopy blocks out an essential ingredient to their survival.  The sun.

Toothwort

I first began photographing many of our wildflowers just 3 weeks ago before any of the trees had sprouted their leaves.  Many have now faded or disappeared.  The Mayapple, which have just begun to bloom, now spread across the forest floor like tiny umbrellas blocking out more of the precious sunlight.  If you are familiar with the large patch of Virginia Bluebells that grow throughout Oliver Freeman’s Hollow, this has become quite evident in recent days. And the cycle continues.

Virginia Bluebells at Oliver Freeman's Hollow

Even though the Boodroot and the Toothwort have faded, the Shooting Star (look along the trail at Wildflower Cove) and Blue-eyed Marys (look along Susan’s Path at Olmstead Outlook) are now taking center stage.  Come see us!  Belly crawl is optional!

Goose Egg

About two weeks ago we had a pair of Canadian Geese nest here at the Upper Pond.  

I first noticed them on an early morning walk. My first encounter was a bit of a surprise.  What I thought would be a cordial greeting turned into a full on assault.  

One minute I’m admiring their grace and beauty and the next minute I’m ducking to avoid a head on collision.  After that we posted a goose warning sign and decided to gently encourage them to nest elsewhere. 

With the native pant sale coming up we certainly didn’t want to have an incident.  

One week later they had discovered a better piece of real estate on the opposite side of the pond away from the road and pedestrians.  

Everyone seems happy now and we hope to have 4 little goslings by the end of this month.  If you plan on visiting and want to see the nest look along the shoreline just below the caretaker’s cabin. Please be courteous and give them the space they need.  

They seem comfortable with the 15 feet rule. 

Plenty close for a great picture.