A Shindagin Love Note

 What's a Shindagin?  Actually, it is a New York State Forest in the Finger Lakes.  I love it!

At 7:30 am today, it was alive with migrating birds, and the steep hillsides were rich with spring wildflowers.  Above is a gang of Trillium grandiflorum. Mixed with the glorious white trillium were also  purple Trillium erectum like these.

 

Let's have another look at a single purple example.  The deep veins on the petals appear to me to be slightly deeper in tone.

As I explored a rough trail that zig-zagged up the steep slope, my eyes came upon a trillium missing either the white or the deep purple of either trillium.  I had come upon a special "straw-colored" trillium.  The veins in the petals suggest to me it is a variant of T. erectum.  Surely, a beautiful surprise.

 

There were a few other surprises. Today is April 28, and Sharp-lobed Hepatica is generally past bloom.  Furthermore, Hepatica typically blooms before sending up this year's leaves.  Usually, it's flowers reside in a bed of withered leaves from the year before. These plants were different.

With both a flower and fresh leavcs, I will treasure this photo.

Shindagin is a very steep and sheltered valley. Perhaps the location is a factor in the late blooming?  Will have to see if this repeats next year.

The climb up the steep hill yielded a final surprise,  Trout Lily!

Photography is chancy for these because the flowers only open on bright sunny days and that usually coincides with wind.  Usually impossible to stop the flower stalk's waving in the slight breeze.  Today was different.  It was briefly calm in the morning.  Such luck.

 

All considered, it was worth rising at 5:10 am to meet the rising sun at 6:09 as I pulled out of the garage.

Feeling so fortunate to live in the Finger Lakes today.

Hope you find some joy in the photo adventure.

 Paul

The neighbors I find in my 'hood.

We've always encouraged the neighbor children to cut through our yard when they visit one another. Love to see them running home when dinner is ready.  Beyond them, I never know what else I will  find when I go outside.  It can be a Robin scavenging for dried berries in the trees.

Sometimes, it's Chuck over by the grape arbor doing a tour of our small sculpture display.

But this week, it has been the Kits hanging out by the neighbor's garden shed.  Been as many as seven, but this morning about 8:45 am there was only one.  Perky little critter.  Never makes much noise!

It entertained itself stalking leaves blowing in the breeze, or practicing it's pouncing technique.

That's pretty good form.   

Eventually, there was company.

Actually, more like a wrestling opponent.

This is how the kits prepare to survive.  It's not really play.  

Weeks ago, there were seven for the female to nurse, but when they were weaned, she couldn't possibly catch enough to feed everyone.  There has to be conflict for limited food.  As a result, there are..... three.

 

Let them pose for a group photo.  Soon, they will out on their own, and hunting chipmunks, mice and squirrels.  They will also face fast moving automobiles and natural predators.  Right now, they have little fear, so it will be a steep learning curve. 

As much as I enjoy seeing them in the neighborhood, I'd prefer that they disperse away from people and automobiles while they learn to prosper.   

Paul