April 27, 2022

Trail Report for April 27, 2022

Squirrel Corn

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 50°F, partly cloudy and windy on April 27, 2022.
• The air was even cooler than last week.
• At least that was good for keeping short lived flowers in bloom.
• This week's trail report covers the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• It took two sweatshirts with the hood up to get down the road to the Carriage House.
• The cool, however, was keeping the magnolia and Bradford pear blooming.
• From time to time the clouds would scatter over the Little Bluestem Meadow and Gifford House.
• Canada mayflower was budding along the path through the Old Gravel Pit.
• Gusts were still making taller plants, such as invasive garlic mustard a challenge to photo.
• A trio of oak galls was clinging to the side of the trail.
• Some kind of cress was spreading along the path.
• Fine leaves, tiny flowers and long pods seem common among a number of species.
• Oaks are famous for hanging on to their leaves, but beech are "marcescent" as well.
• Melting snow and frozen ground is the usual cause of flooding at the bottom of the Old Gravel Pit.
• Backing up just a bit gets one to a convenient detour.
• This goes by the deer management kiosk and deer exclosure - where the forest floor can be compared with and without deer foraging.
• Several visitors were exploring the Fern Glen.
• Spicebush had been blooming for a week by this time.
• Rue anemone had started up back then as well.
• Miterwort (or bishop's cap - both names referring to the leaves) was newly blooming.
• And what a bloom. How should this be named if for the blossom rather than the leave?
• Interesting was pink Dutchman's breeches.
• White is the usual color.
• Squirrel corn usually has a pinkish tinge here.
• A remnant from earlier days, Siberian bugloss was up and blooming.
• The blossom reminds one of forget-me-not.
• Cool weather had favored the short blooming twinleaf.
• Trillium, both large-flowered and red were doing well today.
• Many colonies of large-flowered bellwort could be found in and around the limestone cobble.
• Both toothworts - regular and cut-leaved - were blooming now.
• Around by the kiosk, mayapple was pushing up.
• Back near the boardwalk through the fen, shad bush was blooming.
• Again, the winds made it tricky trying to get a closer look.
• Closer to the ground, leatherleaf was calmer but easy to overlook.
• The little white bells were worth looking for.
• Way in the back of the Glen, large yellow lady's-slipper was finally putting up shoots. We'll keep you posted on the progress of this favorite.
• By the stone bridge was a personal favorite, plantain-leaved sedge.
• The barber shop stripes on the stem and bad hair anthers make such a scene.
• Today's walk ended by the Wappinger Creek at the "Appendix".
• And at the footbridge below, it appeared there was one less mallard than last week.
• Next week: the Wappinger Creek Trail the side of the trail system.

Sightings