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!

Autumn is over in most regions in WV. In fact, I was startled to find so much color in Morgan county.

I adore the watching the springs bubble.

The color at Cacapon was amazing–so much brighter than I expected.

One day we’ll do the full hike over the mountain at the Paw Paw Tunnel. But Saturday was not that day. Was gorgeous from the top though.

Shockingly the panoramic view along Rt 9 wasn’t busy.

Everyone else’s loss.

Because it really as a perfect day to enjoy the wood and forest.