My first Jack of the year. He was poking out of a mass of wild geranium leaves, the geraniums not in flower yet, and I almost missed him. Jack in the Pulpits are a favorite of mine.
And I found a huge field of May Apples just emerging. They should be in full bloom in less than a week, though what I love most about this plant is its foliage as it unfolds. Like a giant yawn when you have to throw your arms out wide, and stretch, too. A white five-petaled flower will tuck itself under the umbrella to complete the show.
One of my readers, Uphilldowndale from northern England, asked about the fruit. I rather forgot it has that fruit-y word, “apple”, in its moniker. For the record, it does have a soft, yellowy kind of fruit which can be eaten, mostly in marmalades, jams, pies, etc., though I’m not personally recommending it for I’ve never tasted it. Supposedly it is sweet and mildly acidic, though one source called it “peculiar”. Has anyone ever had a bite of a May Apple?
[where: Owen Conservation Park]
May 2, 2008
Posted by
Bo |
Madison WI, Olympus E 510, Wisconsin, macro, nature, photography, spring, wildflowers |
Wisconsin, flowers, Madison WI, nature, woods, photos, photography, Owen Conservation Park, Olympus E 510, Wisconsin parks, spring, spring flowers, May Apples, Jack in the Pulpits, conservation parks, 53717 |
13 Comments
Out hiking in one of Madison’s conservation parks I was finally able to capture several species of early wildflowers emerging. I was there early on a weekday morning, and I thought I had the place to myself. Nearly, but not quite. Rounding a sharp bend, I see these guys sharing my trail!
Madison has been having a problem with wild turkeys this Spring. Maybe they’ve surmised inside the city limits are a “no hunting zone.” And they are making their homes in one of Madison’s west neighborhoods. And, being as Spring has finally arrived, it’s mating season.
They’ve been attacking the mail trucks. The males are attracted to the color and shine. Maybe they see an image of ‘another’ turkey in the vertical windshields, and it riles up their dander. Then they go at the glass with their beaks and inflict some serious damage. Not sure if the damage is to the windshields or the turkeys. . . maybe both.
Don’t worry about the postal workers, though. They’ve been issued water guns!
Owen Conservation Park
Madison WI
May 2, 2008
Posted by
Bo |
Madison WI, Olympus E 510, Wisconsin, nature, photography, spring |
Wisconsin, Madison WI, nature, photos, photography, Owen Conservation Park, spring, turkeys, hiking |
7 Comments
