ramps and fiddleheads

Fiddleheads and ramps appearing. Both are edible plants that grow prolifically around here. Ramps taste something like a cross between garlic and leeks. We have gathered them a couple of times out in the woods in the back and eaten them. A couple of times was enough.

ramps

spring ephemerals

trillium

Spotted some trillium and blue cohosh in the usual places on a morning walk up the crossroads. Thus starts the spring ephemeral season; beautiful wildflowers that grow on the forest floor before the trees leaf out. Three is the operative word when it comes to trillium. Everything is in threes; leaves, petals, etc. I'll try to keep it under control, Shawn, but no promises.

Thus shall you think of all this fleeting world. A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream, a flash of lightning in a summer cloud. A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.

The Diamond Sutra

forsythia

Temps in the 60's this morning. Snow shovel back in the garage. Forsythia in bloom. Full moon, the "pink" moon is tonight. Gone for a week.

The moon shining full
smoke drifting away
over water.
Ranetsu

coltsfoot

Coltsfoot appearing. The first real wildflower of the year. To me, it is amazing that these flowers appear in their perfection out of forests, fields and swamps. They don't need any help or special care. They are beautiful and complete just as they are. Some people who occasionally read this blog call them "weeds." It would be tacky and inconsiderate on my part to name names (Shawn). 

waterfall hikes

Saturday was a great day for a hike at the Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park in Hubbarton.

Many beautiful waterfalls along the trail.

They reminded me of the waterfall hikes in Brazil.

Well, sort of.

mini vernal pools

Turkey hunting starts in Vermont in a couple of weeks. I was out putting up No Hunting signs at the Vermont Zen Center when something caught my eye. The forest was covered with little mini vernal pools. They seemed to be much too small to attract amphibians but the color of the leaves shining on the watery bottom was compelling; kind of like a glistening stained glass window into the forest floor.  You never know when you're going to see something beautiful.

mud season part 2

Started yesterday in grand fashion, picking up some pallets from the nearly gone wood pile, and starting cleanup on the lawn. Some of the lawn is fairly dry. I have been driving around on it with my truck. I found out that some sections are anything but, and my truck ended up in a muddy quagmire on the back lawn.
Since I am still a relative greenhorn after almost 40 years here, I went to Youtube to get some tips on driving my way out. I selected what I thought was the best, and went out to give it a shot; with Allyn's attentive supervision. I was surprised how easily I was able to get it out. Now I just need to clean up my mess. I forgot to take a photo of the truck securely ensconced in eight inches of watery goo. I asked her if it was OK to drive back to the scene of the crime for a photo or two. She laughed. What a saint.