Up here in the mountains, Spring is “springing” gradually. The new season is deliberate in its unfolding, unlike the valley where it tends to burst out with an explosion of sudden color and invasion of pollen.
Little by little on this land, the flowers are starting to bloom. A couple weeks ago, it was a lone dandelion nestled bravely in the middle of the meadow and a couple of tiny violets in the side-yard. Now these are joined with a few others. Baby’s breath is making its first appearance.
Down by the river is a very interesting flowering plant which James and I were not familiar with. I emailed this picture to D. (our dear friend L.’s partner) in Nevada City who identified it. Of course, it’s a trillium.
Fascinating flower. It is relatively rare in this country, and is in fact illegal to pick in Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington, along with British Columbia. It is the designated flower of the province of Ontario, featuring prominently on the Franco-Ontarian flag.
According to Wikipedia: “Trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants and mice. Trillium seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their garbage, where they can be protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant garbage.”
There are easily a hundred of these plants growing on our land, first encountered on the new trail that we have been blazing through the tangled blackberry bushes, then in more concentrated clumps along the tiny creek near the river. Some have begun to bloom, but not all have done so yet.
We walk the trail each morning to check on the progress of the flowers, and trod carefully around the trilliums growing in the middle of the path. The plants are extremely fragile. I will post a picture of the trilliums in their glory when more bloom.
L.’s daffodils are now in full bloom at the bottom of the meadow, near the path leading down to the river cabin. They are such beautiful, yet delicate flowers, so intimately associated with the coming of Spring. The weight of the brilliant yellow petals at last bends the stems earthward.
James picked up this worm in the middle of the trail (where most interesting things seem to reside lately!) the other day:
Our new trail leads down to the creek which trickles down to the river (seen in the last post’s ladder waterfall). I love this picture; it is so inviting. I can hardly wait for summer!
Trees grow along the cliffs near the river entrance. James had me take this shot of the branches swirling in interesting patterns. The perspective is misleading; the gravel in the background on our private beach is actually about twenty feet below the camera!
The sound of the rushing water is so soothing. For risk of waxing too eloquent, yet again — we are so very blessed to live here!
The river is endlessly fascinating to me. Sit back and take in the wonderful sight and noise of the rushing water:
I must continue to express my thanks as often as possible, because I never, ever want to take this for granted.
10 comments
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April 4, 2008 at 10:37 am
christopher
The poetry of Spring is sung through your words and the images you have shared. Thank you for being a tool of encouragement and hope as we continue to anticipate the springing of life this season.
-C
April 4, 2008 at 11:41 am
Lemuel
Do you have purple/red trillium on your land or just white? My parents had both at their home (plants that had been snitched from the wild on fishing trips).
The vid of the river is awesome!
Cameron responds: This variety of trillium supposedly starts out with white blooms, then changes to purple! I’ll keep you posted.
April 4, 2008 at 2:20 pm
heartinhand
I am so jealous of the spring you are enjoying! We still have about 18 inches of snow still that needs to melt! Your post gives me hope though…:)
-Rox
Cameron responds: Thanks for stopping by. You know what they say about Hope…
😉
April 5, 2008 at 6:23 am
binteusman
These are the blessings of God or some say mother nature but the thing is I enjoyed your photo graphs and i thanked to God for giving us such a nice world to enjoy and i thank you for sharing your delights.
April 5, 2008 at 8:25 am
Leon
Your description of the bursting forth of spring brings back memories of when I lived where they had real winters with snow and ice. I will always remember the joy I experienced at seeing the first green leaves and flowers (usually daffodils) of the new season. Here in southern California, the changing of the seasons is much more subtle and less of a source of pleasure. Thank you Cameron for bringing back those memories through your prose and pictures.
April 5, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Bigg
I lost track of you, Cameron, when you moved here from blogspot. How nice to find you again through your last comment on my blog, and what a beautiful post this is… I love the woods in springtime.
April 5, 2008 at 9:22 pm
urspo
oh but i love daffodils; i miss them so
thank you for the pictures; they were cheery.
April 8, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Catherine
Very beautiful pictures as always. It’s funny because it doesn’t seem long ago when I was looking at your pics of the snow. How time flies!
*hugs to you both*
April 12, 2008 at 7:57 am
Poetikat
So you got my little gift from Ontario, did you? Yup. I just thought I’d send my little mice friends along with some Trillium seeds. I’m intrigued by your reference to Franco-Ontarian. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that said in these parts (ha ha). Is that like Franco-American’s, Chef-Boyardee?
Seriously, I love the way Spring takes its time to emerge from the grip of Winter. In the back corner of our yard, I can see the Leopard’s Bane is making its annual appearance and all of the shrubs are budding now, as is the redbud tree that will soon be filled with a profusion of pink. Sadly, Spring (my favourite season, next to Fall) will be over all too soon.
I always enjoy my sojourns to your mountain hideaway, Cameron. It transports me every time.
Kat
April 18, 2008 at 2:40 am
Linda
You do live in such a lovely place. I love the diversity of each season that you have. It seems such a short time ago you were posting photos of the snow and now the daffodils are popping up their sunny faces. We are now into Autumn and yet the trees are still hanging onto their leaves as the weather is so mild.