April 20, 2016

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 60°F, clear and breezy at 1:00 PM on April 20, 2016.
• Last week had temps near 70°F, but today was cool enough to think about a sweatshirt.
• More new spring flowers were blooming.
• Spring azure was abundant and a few eastern pine elfins were on the wing.

The Trails

• The Old Hayfields didn't look much different from last week - maybe a little greener.
• On the Wappinger Creek Trail, wood anemone had started blooming.
• Mixed in was Pennsylvania sedge.
• In the flood plain section, rosettes of invasive narrow-leaved bitter cress were starting the 2nd half of their life cycle.
• Toothwort was beginning to bloom in the same area.
• The downy stem and sets of 3 rather than 2 leaves helps distinguish cut-leaved toothwort from regular toothwort when the leaves aren't as narrow as they "should be".
• Along the Cary Pines Trail, Canada mayflower was carpeting both sides of the path.
• Somehow I see them as little green soldiers.
• Last year's partridge berry was easy to spot amongst them.
• Here and there a sprig of spotted wintergreen was starting new growth.
• As the trail came out above the Fern Glen, I wondered when the eastern pine elfin would appear - it would be today... for me. The tattered edges indicated it had been around for a while already.
• On the way down to the 'Glen proper, I heard the trill of a gray treefrog - first of the season I'd say.
• In the Roeller bed, along the road, false rue-anemone was just starting to bloom.
• Below, in the limestone cobble, large-flowered bellwort was getting under way.
• Early meadow rue was getting started too.
• Along the edge above the pond, last week's large-flowered trillium was now fully open.
• At the pond's outlet, marsh marigold was finally blooming.
• Behind the kiosk, mayapple was coming up like so many parasols.
• Back in the shrub swamp, shadbush was making a weak show.
• The individual blossoms looked fine; there just didn't seem to be as many as usual.
• On the way out of the 'Glen, I paused to examine the Jacob's ladder.
• It was budding, so maybe blooms next week.
• On the last leg through the Old Gravel Pit, a cabbage white disappeared as it passed in front of a cherry.
• Closer inspection revealed that it had stopped to take in some sun on a patch of camoflaging lichen.
• Then we were both gone.