Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Kentucky Wildflower Watch Report
Eastern
This week at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, KY the woodland is green with all the trees leafed out. The redbuds and dogwoods are still in full bloom and the ruby-throated hummingbirds have returned to the feeders at the lodge. Flowers blooming around the park and along the trails include large-flowered trillium, Jacob’s ladder, wild geranium, bluets, star chickweed, dwarf cinquefoil, violet wood sorrel, blue phlox, wood vetch, foam flower, rue anemone, yellow and blue violets, cut-leaf toothwort, spring beauties, fire pink, large-flowered bellwort, pussytoes, ragwort, May apple, eared tickseed, crested dwarf iris, squawroot and Jack-in-the-pulpit.
***
The flowers at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill are blooming everywhere. New to bloom this week are the dwarf crested iris, Jack-in-the-pulpit, shooting star, hairy buttercup, white violet, foamflower, stonecrop, fleabane and squawroot. The pink lady slippers, yellow lady slippers and showy orchis should be blooming by this coming weekend. Take a walk along any of the parks hiking trails and you can see many of these wildflowers blooming over the next couple of weeks.
***
The wildflowers at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade are in peak bloom! Wildflowers currently in or near peak bloom include: showy orchis, yellow and spotted mandarin, Jack-in-the-pulpit, purple phacelia, wild geranium, miterwort, foam flower, long-spurred violet, halberd-leaved violet, star chickweed, stonecrop, squaw-root, Solomon’s seal, large-flowered trillium, wood vetch, wild ginger, columbine, and the bellworts. Those flowers that have buds or have just begun to bloom include: May apple, dwarf-crested iris, Indian cucumber-root, the lady’s slippers, doll’s eyes, and golden Alexander. The following trees and shrubs are displaying flowers: serviceberry, spicebush, redbud, dogwood, bladdernut and paw-paw. Two of the best trails at Natural Bridge for observing spring wildflowers are the Rock Garden and Whittleton.
Come discover some of nature’s most misunderstood critters during Herpetology Weekend, May 2 and 3! Experienced herpetologists will lead field trips into the Red River Gorge Geological Area to observe reptiles and amphibians in their native habitat. Most Saturday fieldtrips will be offered at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Collection is prohibited. Friday and Saturday evening presentations will focus on reptile and amphibian natural history and conservation. Some demonstrations will include live venomous snakes! Registration upon arrival: $5/adult and $2/child. For more information contact Brian Gasdorf at brian.gasdorf@ky.gov .
***
Along the roadways and hiking trails you will find the following flowers in full bloom at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg: wood poppy, rue anemone, dwarf cinquefoil, corydalis, cut-leafed toothwort, Kentucky bluets, common purple violet, smooth yellow violet, long spurred violet, pussy toes, chickweed, large flowered trillium, wild geranium, golden ragwort, black mustard, crested dwarf iris, sweet cicely, May apple, stonecrop, blue phlox, fleabane, lyre-leafed sage, pennywort, Allegheny spurge, early scorpion grass, bedstraw, alumroot, wood anemone, foam flower, mountain wood sorel, French bluets, fire pink and violet wood sorel.
The migratory songbirds that have returned this week include the American redstart, hooded warbler, yellow warbler, Louisiana water thrush, common yellow throat, yellow-throated warbler, black and white warbler, cerulean warbler, black-throated green warbler, ovenbird, yellow- throated vireo, solitary vireo, red-eyed vireo, prairie warbler, wood thrush, northern rough-winged swallow, barn swallow, eastern meadowlark, horned larks and indigo bunting. Other birds observed include common resident songbirds like the northern cardinal, tufted titmouse, eastern bluebird, Carolina chickadee, song sparrow, eastern phoebe, Carolina wren, eastern towhee, and wild turkey. Woodpeckers include red headed, red bellied, pileated, downy, hairy, and northern flicker.
***
At Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville the dogwoods are flowering abundantly and the chartreuse hues of newly emerged leaves has clothed the bonier parts of mountain landscapes in a cloak of luxuriant green. Some of the hardier, long-flowering wildflowers like violets, trilliums, phlox and geraniums continue to provide good displays. They're now being joined by crested dwarf iris, showy orchis, Solomon’s plume, Canada Mayflower, speckled wood-lily, yellow mandarin, Indian cucumber-root, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild columbine, and wild comfrey. In addition, pink lady's slippers are beginning to flower and May apple colonies abound.
North Central
At Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary near Frankfort there is a profusion of colors covering the landscape. Wildflowers in bloom include: blue phlox, celandine poppy, chickweed, blue violet, dandelion, fire pink, garlic mustard, ground ivy, golden ragwort, henbit, hooked crowfoot, Jacob's ladder, purple dead nettle, purple phacelia, rue anemone, smooth yellow violet, speedwell, spring beauty, stonecrop, wild hyacinth, wild ginger, sweet cecily, wild pink, and Philadelphia fleabane daisy. Scarlet and summer tanagers, indigo buntings, ruby-throated hummingbird, Baltimore oriole and many other birds are frequent visitors now. The dogwoods, lilacs, spicebush and buckeyes are in bloom as well.
South Central
At Mammoth Cave National Park dogwoods are in full bloom. Other trees are blooming and budding out, giving the woods a wide variety of green hues. Wild geraniums and hoary cuccoon can been seen along roadsides and trails.
Rangers lead surface walks daily, starting at 9 a.m. to the Three Springs Pumphouse. On Friday and Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. there is also a guided walk to Cedar Sink. Check out the park webcam for a springtime view of Green River valley at http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/macacam/macacam.cfm.
Western
Along the trails at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park in Dawson Springs spring wildflowers in bloom include: rue anemone, bluets, small bluets, pussytoes, star chickweed, early saxifrage, yellow woodland violet, prairie trillium, ragwort, Virginia bluebell, buttercup, blue phlox, wood betony, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, dwarf dandelion, violet wood sorrel, false garlic, wild geranium, dwarf crested iris, Virginia spiderwort, dwarf larkspur and spring beauty. The May apples have their umbrella-like leaves up and some will soon be in flower. Trees are flowering in the area with the showiest blooms belonging to flowering dogwood. Eastern bluebirds, Carolina wrens, and Carolina chickadees have begun nesting in the park. Belted kingfishers can be heard and often seen around the dam and Clifty Creek Trail. Orchard orioles are courting on the lake trail near the boat dock and male scarlet tanagers are beginning to vie for females’ attention on the cottage road near the Clifty Creek trail head. You may also catch a glimpse of rose-breasted grosbeaks at the birdfeeders around the lodge.
***
Jack-in-the-Pulpit is showing off at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson. In addition, blue-eyed Mary, butterweed, spring beauty, false rue anemone, small-flower baby blue eyes, drooping trillium, common cinquefoil, garlic mustard, common blue violet, smooth yellow violet and confederate violet are all in bloom.
Come celebrate the Ohio Valley Birding Festival May 1 through 4. Enjoy bird tours, a family day, bird of prey programs, bird banding programs, lectures, book signings and presentations. Visit http://www.wesselmannaturesociety.org/events/index.php or contact Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov for a full schedule of events.
***
Trails, hillsides and edge areas (where fields meet woods) are alive and in bloom at Lake Barkley State Park in Cadiz. The lovely, yet subtle, presence of Jack-in-the-pulpit, paw paw flowers, Solomon’s seal, wild ginger and May apple blooms adds to the showy colors of fire pink, trillium, larkspur, violets, trout lily, trumpet creeper and blue phlox. Spring has been long-lasting this year, adding a few more weeks to the splendor and variety of the season’s blooms – from the golf course to the roadsides and every trail in between!
***
At Land Between the Lakes, a great drive is the Cruther hollow, just south of the Homeplace. The ground is covered with dwarf crested iris and fire pink. You can also find in abundance recurved trillium, giant chickweed, hairy buttercup, Solomon’s seal, May apple, Jacob’s ladder, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild blue phlox and a few remaining rue anemone. Driving up the Trace north of Golden Pond, dogwoods still dominate and are one of the best shows in many years. Here you will catch a few remnant redbuds dotting the landscape. Woodland Walk gives you a nice display of woodlands flowers. Look for dogwoods, tulip poplars, Jack-in-the-pulpits, Jacob’s ladder and trilliums. At the Nature Station, white trillium, Jacob’s ladder, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild columbine, May apple, viburnum, bladdernut and pawpaw can be observed.
This week at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, KY the woodland is green with all the trees leafed out. The redbuds and dogwoods are still in full bloom and the ruby-throated hummingbirds have returned to the feeders at the lodge. Flowers blooming around the park and along the trails include large-flowered trillium, Jacob’s ladder, wild geranium, bluets, star chickweed, dwarf cinquefoil, violet wood sorrel, blue phlox, wood vetch, foam flower, rue anemone, yellow and blue violets, cut-leaf toothwort, spring beauties, fire pink, large-flowered bellwort, pussytoes, ragwort, May apple, eared tickseed, crested dwarf iris, squawroot and Jack-in-the-pulpit.
***
The flowers at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill are blooming everywhere. New to bloom this week are the dwarf crested iris, Jack-in-the-pulpit, shooting star, hairy buttercup, white violet, foamflower, stonecrop, fleabane and squawroot. The pink lady slippers, yellow lady slippers and showy orchis should be blooming by this coming weekend. Take a walk along any of the parks hiking trails and you can see many of these wildflowers blooming over the next couple of weeks.
***
The wildflowers at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade are in peak bloom! Wildflowers currently in or near peak bloom include: showy orchis, yellow and spotted mandarin, Jack-in-the-pulpit, purple phacelia, wild geranium, miterwort, foam flower, long-spurred violet, halberd-leaved violet, star chickweed, stonecrop, squaw-root, Solomon’s seal, large-flowered trillium, wood vetch, wild ginger, columbine, and the bellworts. Those flowers that have buds or have just begun to bloom include: May apple, dwarf-crested iris, Indian cucumber-root, the lady’s slippers, doll’s eyes, and golden Alexander. The following trees and shrubs are displaying flowers: serviceberry, spicebush, redbud, dogwood, bladdernut and paw-paw. Two of the best trails at Natural Bridge for observing spring wildflowers are the Rock Garden and Whittleton.
Come discover some of nature’s most misunderstood critters during Herpetology Weekend, May 2 and 3! Experienced herpetologists will lead field trips into the Red River Gorge Geological Area to observe reptiles and amphibians in their native habitat. Most Saturday fieldtrips will be offered at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Collection is prohibited. Friday and Saturday evening presentations will focus on reptile and amphibian natural history and conservation. Some demonstrations will include live venomous snakes! Registration upon arrival: $5/adult and $2/child. For more information contact Brian Gasdorf at brian.gasdorf@ky.gov .
***
Along the roadways and hiking trails you will find the following flowers in full bloom at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg: wood poppy, rue anemone, dwarf cinquefoil, corydalis, cut-leafed toothwort, Kentucky bluets, common purple violet, smooth yellow violet, long spurred violet, pussy toes, chickweed, large flowered trillium, wild geranium, golden ragwort, black mustard, crested dwarf iris, sweet cicely, May apple, stonecrop, blue phlox, fleabane, lyre-leafed sage, pennywort, Allegheny spurge, early scorpion grass, bedstraw, alumroot, wood anemone, foam flower, mountain wood sorel, French bluets, fire pink and violet wood sorel.
The migratory songbirds that have returned this week include the American redstart, hooded warbler, yellow warbler, Louisiana water thrush, common yellow throat, yellow-throated warbler, black and white warbler, cerulean warbler, black-throated green warbler, ovenbird, yellow- throated vireo, solitary vireo, red-eyed vireo, prairie warbler, wood thrush, northern rough-winged swallow, barn swallow, eastern meadowlark, horned larks and indigo bunting. Other birds observed include common resident songbirds like the northern cardinal, tufted titmouse, eastern bluebird, Carolina chickadee, song sparrow, eastern phoebe, Carolina wren, eastern towhee, and wild turkey. Woodpeckers include red headed, red bellied, pileated, downy, hairy, and northern flicker.
***
At Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville the dogwoods are flowering abundantly and the chartreuse hues of newly emerged leaves has clothed the bonier parts of mountain landscapes in a cloak of luxuriant green. Some of the hardier, long-flowering wildflowers like violets, trilliums, phlox and geraniums continue to provide good displays. They're now being joined by crested dwarf iris, showy orchis, Solomon’s plume, Canada Mayflower, speckled wood-lily, yellow mandarin, Indian cucumber-root, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild columbine, and wild comfrey. In addition, pink lady's slippers are beginning to flower and May apple colonies abound.
North Central
At Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary near Frankfort there is a profusion of colors covering the landscape. Wildflowers in bloom include: blue phlox, celandine poppy, chickweed, blue violet, dandelion, fire pink, garlic mustard, ground ivy, golden ragwort, henbit, hooked crowfoot, Jacob's ladder, purple dead nettle, purple phacelia, rue anemone, smooth yellow violet, speedwell, spring beauty, stonecrop, wild hyacinth, wild ginger, sweet cecily, wild pink, and Philadelphia fleabane daisy. Scarlet and summer tanagers, indigo buntings, ruby-throated hummingbird, Baltimore oriole and many other birds are frequent visitors now. The dogwoods, lilacs, spicebush and buckeyes are in bloom as well.
South Central
At Mammoth Cave National Park dogwoods are in full bloom. Other trees are blooming and budding out, giving the woods a wide variety of green hues. Wild geraniums and hoary cuccoon can been seen along roadsides and trails.
Rangers lead surface walks daily, starting at 9 a.m. to the Three Springs Pumphouse. On Friday and Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. there is also a guided walk to Cedar Sink. Check out the park webcam for a springtime view of Green River valley at http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/macacam/macacam.cfm.
Western
Along the trails at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park in Dawson Springs spring wildflowers in bloom include: rue anemone, bluets, small bluets, pussytoes, star chickweed, early saxifrage, yellow woodland violet, prairie trillium, ragwort, Virginia bluebell, buttercup, blue phlox, wood betony, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, dwarf dandelion, violet wood sorrel, false garlic, wild geranium, dwarf crested iris, Virginia spiderwort, dwarf larkspur and spring beauty. The May apples have their umbrella-like leaves up and some will soon be in flower. Trees are flowering in the area with the showiest blooms belonging to flowering dogwood. Eastern bluebirds, Carolina wrens, and Carolina chickadees have begun nesting in the park. Belted kingfishers can be heard and often seen around the dam and Clifty Creek Trail. Orchard orioles are courting on the lake trail near the boat dock and male scarlet tanagers are beginning to vie for females’ attention on the cottage road near the Clifty Creek trail head. You may also catch a glimpse of rose-breasted grosbeaks at the birdfeeders around the lodge.
***
Jack-in-the-Pulpit is showing off at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson. In addition, blue-eyed Mary, butterweed, spring beauty, false rue anemone, small-flower baby blue eyes, drooping trillium, common cinquefoil, garlic mustard, common blue violet, smooth yellow violet and confederate violet are all in bloom.
Come celebrate the Ohio Valley Birding Festival May 1 through 4. Enjoy bird tours, a family day, bird of prey programs, bird banding programs, lectures, book signings and presentations. Visit http://www.wesselmannaturesociety.org/events/index.php or contact Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov for a full schedule of events.
***
Trails, hillsides and edge areas (where fields meet woods) are alive and in bloom at Lake Barkley State Park in Cadiz. The lovely, yet subtle, presence of Jack-in-the-pulpit, paw paw flowers, Solomon’s seal, wild ginger and May apple blooms adds to the showy colors of fire pink, trillium, larkspur, violets, trout lily, trumpet creeper and blue phlox. Spring has been long-lasting this year, adding a few more weeks to the splendor and variety of the season’s blooms – from the golf course to the roadsides and every trail in between!
***
At Land Between the Lakes, a great drive is the Cruther hollow, just south of the Homeplace. The ground is covered with dwarf crested iris and fire pink. You can also find in abundance recurved trillium, giant chickweed, hairy buttercup, Solomon’s seal, May apple, Jacob’s ladder, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild blue phlox and a few remaining rue anemone. Driving up the Trace north of Golden Pond, dogwoods still dominate and are one of the best shows in many years. Here you will catch a few remnant redbuds dotting the landscape. Woodland Walk gives you a nice display of woodlands flowers. Look for dogwoods, tulip poplars, Jack-in-the-pulpits, Jacob’s ladder and trilliums. At the Nature Station, white trillium, Jacob’s ladder, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild columbine, May apple, viburnum, bladdernut and pawpaw can be observed.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 1:00 PM 
