May 2018: Colorful Memories

After an agonizingly slow start, Spring in Central New York did not disappoint! The month of May has been a delightful mix of activity in living color, plants and animals alike. I’m posting selected highlights, in chronological order.

Bloodroot (4May2018)

Marsh Marigold (7May2018)

Trout Lily (8May2018)

Serviceberry (12May2018)

Sand Cherry (15May2018)

Red Trillium (16May2018)

Goldfinch on Sand Cherry (18May2018)

 

Wild apple flower buds (20May2018)

Wild apple blossoms (20May2018)

Baltimore Oriole on its breeding territory (26May2018)

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

 

Happy Mother’s Day 2018

Star Magnolia

Daffodil

Red Trillium

Wild Serviceberry (Amelanchier, Juneberry, Shadbush)

Wild Serviceberry in full bloom

Photos by NB Hunter (May, 2018). © All Rights Reserved.

Searching for Spring in 2018

Despite the cold, late spring, I started searching for wild flowers in late April.  The search is a rite of spring, even if there’s snow in the air and it makes no sense whatsoever.

The flower buds of willow shrubs were on hold (April 27),

As were the new shoots of False Hellebore after a freezing rain (April 29).

Desperate for color in a wintry April landscape, I detoured to the edge of a wetland and discovered a reliable indicator of the advancing season: Skunk Cabbage (April 29).

Finally, the weather took a serious turn for the better. The season of renewal erupted, with April events spilling over into early May. Migrating birds, black flies, wildflowers, baby animals, mud…..Spring!

Bloodroot

A Rails-to-Trails recreation path, with willow shrubs in bloom (May 5)

The early blooms of willow shrubs (May 3), a lifeline for hungry bees

Marsh Marigold (May 5)

A tumbling brook, swollen by melting snow and frequent rain (May 5)

White Trillium (May 5)

Red Trillium (May 5)

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.