Friday was a pop-up NPSOT Trinity Forks field trip. With little notice, only one person was able to come. The prediction had been for wind and dust.
However you can see at the start of walk the sky was blue.
The sun was out for the Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica)! They dotted the prairie.
A few seeds of the Two-flower Milkvine (Matelea biflora) were still scattered about.
Turning over a cow patty the little armored roly poly bugs or pill bugs if you prefer. Makes me think of the armadillos but smaller. LOL.
These were snuggling under another cow patty. So I quickly covered them back up. Stay warm friends.
The grotto was completely dry. We sure need some rain, eh.
The first feature plant of the field trip, the rare Trout Lily (Erythronium mesochoreum)! It had already gone to seed. Unlike the more common E. albidum, this one seed pod tips over to touch the ground. E. albidum does not touch but stands up right.
And not more than a couple of meters away, was the second featured plant for the field trip. This is the Cymopterus (Vesper macrorhizus)! iNat calls them Bigroot Springparsley. And yes they have a big root!
Most of the Trout Lilies have gone to seed at this location. However we were able to locate a couple still blooming. Soon this one will fall to the ground with its seed pod weighting it down. iNat calls them Midland Fawnlily.
Big smiles! Catherine and I had a grand time.
It got windy as the morning progressed. However, the dust was only barely started as we finished up. Great field trip!
Oh my. That vegetable orchestra 😂. People make music with anything.
Sure wish i could have joined you!
And that veggie orchestra is wonderful – may have to try out some of those veggie creations one day.
Ah, that beautiful unit! Trout lilies, my favorite. 😍
What a beautiful day!