Although we didn’t get to take the train from Whittier to Fairbanks, we did get to spend several days in Denali.

From Talkeetna, we went to Denali State Park / Trapper Creek, AK.

There were did a nature walk at Byers Lake, where (despite it being mid-June) I got to see lots of spring wildflowers.

Ground Dogwood/Bunchberry

Black Lily

Arctic Starflower

Beach-head Iris

Then we got on another bus and went to Denali National Park (this was one of the least interesting legs of the journey) where there were even MORE spring wildflowers.

Arctic lupine is really pretty.

Although I think the bluebells we have here a prettier, the tall bluebells were still pretty.

Maybe a Naked-stemmed Wallflower?

Small-flower Anemone

Yes, it did rain on us briefly, but it wasn’t cold, so the rain just made everything sparkly.

Snow Arnica

Ground Dogwood/Bunchberry

All in all, I was delighted to enjoy a new batch of mostly new-to-me spring wildflowers.

OK, we’ve also had rain.

But it’s time for ephemeral spring wildflowers!

Trout lilies! (Erythronium americanum)

Large White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)

Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica)

Wood Anemone (Anemonoides quinquefolia)

Star chickweed (Stellaria pubera)

I wanted to start posting more regular content here, I really did. But that apparently remains a goal rather than an accomplishment.

And that’s ok.

So please enjoy some flower pr0n, taken this year at the Arboreturm, Canaan Valley SP, and Blackwater Falls SP

Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera)

Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Twinleaf Jeffersonia diphylla

Toadshade (Trillium sessile)

Canadian Wild Ginger Asarum canadense

Large White Trillium Trillium grandiflorum

Yellow Trout Lily Erythronium americanum

Carolina Springbeauty Claytonia caroliniana

Wood Anemone Anemonoides quinquefolia

Flowering Bluets Genus Houstonia

Violets Genus Viola

Lowbush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium

FUTURE SNACKS!

It’s been awhile, but the weather is weird and the world is weird, so have some flowers.

I am low-key obsessed with trout lilies (Erythronium americanum)

They’re fascinating, ephemeral plants.

And old. Zack Fowler says the colony at the arboretum is several hundred years old.

Wood Anemone (Anemonoides quinquefolia) which I wish had another common name, since I always stumble over Anemone.

Spring Beauties! (Claytonia caroliniana)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

These covered some of the hills we drove by, so I had to stop to verify they were bloodroot. We also saw lots of white trillium along the roadside, but none were anywhere safe to stop.

This picture looks boring and empty, but that greenery covering the forest floor?

Ramps!

I’ve been (for quite awhile now) failing at posting about recent hikes.

So here are some pictures from the past month or so.

When I said that Maine seemed to have a thing about Rhododendrons, I wasn’t kidding. This was an entire garden dedicated to them.

Asticou Azalea Garden

This is actually a common wild Rhododendron, which I had never seen before.

This counts as a tree frog, right?

These were taken at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens at the end of May.

I’ve not seen a red bleeding heart around here!

Rhododendron was surprisingly popular in Maine.

They had a fairy garden section, which was cute.

But mostly I just liked the rocks.

Flower pr0n from far places.

Mountain Top Arboretum (Tannersville, NY)

Larch!

Paper birch

Water lilies

(Not a flower)

Marsh

I’m trying to post more frequently here.

Not a lot of success, but I’m trying.

So as your reward, here is some flower pr0n from the Arboretum!

I never see a lot of bloodroot flowers, so I’m generally excited when I spot one.

Just a couple of delphiniums were up

Lots and lots of trillium, including this weirdo!

Early bluebells are up, but nowhere near peak yet.

Lots and lot of spring beauties

Some trout lilies!

Chickweed!

And downtown, some cherry blossoms