A naturalist's perspective on the wildlife of Fish Creek in Upstate New York
Monday, September 21, 2009
Farewell to Summer Flowers
With the chill in the air this morning, I am reminded that the summer is coming to a close. I say this wistfully, for I really love summer, but of course, fall has many beautiful gifts, as well. For instance, during my walk, I was amazed at how many flowers I am seeing still in bloom. Of course, there are the fall flowers: goldenrod, boneset, joe pye weed, many different asters, jewelweed, butter-and-eggs, and many that I can’t name; but there are still quite a few hardy summer flowers still in bloom, as well: birdfoot trefoil, clover, chicory, bladder campion, the lovely turtlehead, a few arrowhead and of course, purple loosestrife!
Also I saw an incredible little bug which turned out to be an immature stink bug (thanks so much Ted!)
And I saw a lovely gall (thanks woodswalker!) which I thought was a fruit of some kind.
Love that little stinkbug! Are they as smelly as the adults? Yes it's sad to see all the summer flowers fade, but we still have a few just coming into bloom. Stop off at Orra Phelps Nature Preserve to be dazzled by Fringed Gentians, and you might also find there a few Ladies' Tresses. The sandy shores of Lake Moreau are studded with tiny magenta Gerardia. As you paddle any stream, watch for the yellow ribbons of Witch Hazel, just now beginning to unfurl. And if we get some rain, the fall mushrooms can be as gorgeous as any flowers.
No! In fact I didn't notice any smell. I thought it was a beetle until Ted Macrae http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/ set me straight. Awfully pretty though. I hope others have the same instinct you did to click on the photo, I was having trouble loading my photos onto the blog that day.
My interest in wild plants began 25 years ago when I fell in love with wild flowers. I loved to draw these delicate beauties, and naturally, I eventually became curious as to their names. As I began to study field guides, and learn more about these sources of delight, I began to realize that many of them were not as humble as they seemed; in fact,most were quite unique, and significant in their own way, and my thirst for learning more about them was born.
Since then, I have continued in my love for nature, and have become somewhat of an amateur naturalist. In particular, I have studied the flora and fauna of Fish Creek, an outlet of Saratoga Lake, for 15 years, and have written and illustrated over two dozen journals about this beautiful waterway.
I have written, illustrated, and photograped what I found there, and it has only served to ignite my curiosity about the natural world, all the more.
About ten years ago I began to become interested in wild medicinal plants. This blog is my effort to share with others some of the exciting things that I am learning about.
Love that little stinkbug! Are they as smelly as the adults? Yes it's sad to see all the summer flowers fade, but we still have a few just coming into bloom. Stop off at Orra Phelps Nature Preserve to be dazzled by Fringed Gentians, and you might also find there a few Ladies' Tresses. The sandy shores of Lake Moreau are studded with tiny magenta Gerardia. As you paddle any stream, watch for the yellow ribbons of Witch Hazel, just now beginning to unfurl. And if we get some rain, the fall mushrooms can be as gorgeous as any flowers.
ReplyDeleteNo! In fact I didn't notice any smell. I thought it was a beetle until Ted Macrae http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteset me straight. Awfully pretty though. I hope others have the same instinct you did to click on the photo, I was having trouble loading my photos onto the blog that day.
Lovely blog! I'll be back...
ReplyDeleteThat stink bug looks prehistoric!
ReplyDelete