On the Trails of
The Cary Institute

Trail Report for June 03, 2009

Last week diervilla was blooming behind the railing by the big Fern Glen sign.
The blossoms as well as the leaves show the family resemblance to the honesuckles.
At the pond's edge was the white form of blue flag in bloom.
Along the path around the pond carrion flower was about to bloom.
By the dam marsh marigold, long done blooming, was now offering ripe seeds.
While examining the fruit of goldseal I noticed the curiously curled abdomen of a damselfly poking out from under the leaf.
As I suspected preditor had become prey.
Out in the Old Gravel Pit section of the Cary Pines Trail a common spring moth allowed me to admire its uncommon beauty.

Starting in the Fern Glen this week I found common sorrel in bloom in the Roeller Bed along the road.
The diminutive dogwood, bunchberry, was right next to it.
By the bench in the limestone cobble mystery plant was blooming.
In the poor fen the little shrub, sheep laurel was showing off.
On the other side of the boardwalk, the rich fen, was the easy to miss marsh cinquefoil.
Proceeding through the shrubby section I encountered highbush blueberry in blossom and elderberry just about to be.
Several of the alien orchid, helleborine, were along the road near the stone bridge.
Along the creek side of the Cary Pines Trail an empty cocoon of the huge, green luna moth was uncharacteristicly visible in the leaf litter.
The sour tasting leaves of sheep sorrel were recognizable in the Olp Pasture.
It's tiny blossoms were less noticable.
Something dug quite a hole farther along the path.
It looked like an ant nest was the target.
Gray dogwood was blooming in the Old Pasture.
Foxglove was in the back of the Old Hayfields again this year.
At the entrance to the Sedge Meadow Trail a male common whitetail perched alternately on the trail marker post and my hat.
The front Old Hayfield held a pink, rather than white, yarrow.