Lichens

Lichen inspiration from 2009, winter is still lingering here and I'm longing to get out into the woods for my Spring foraging activities.  Nope not lichens I merely photograph those, I'm talking morels and other edible yummies!

Spring has Sprung

Well sorta, in about three weeks most of the bulb type flowers should start popping up.  This from past experiences/observations of when the Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and Grackles return from their winter feeding grounds.

The neighbors crabapple is preferred over ours, once they pick it the birds will start in on our tree.

Some of the Robins are looking a little rough around the edges, this one was healthy looking.

Grackles are pairing up already, not surprised.

Mooooooooooooooooo

It's that time of the year again, time to go out and photograph the spring calves.

Inspiration

Am looking forward to spring this year!

Taken north of Ames, sometime early summer 2009.

Coopers Marsh 032312

Went out to the marsh to listen to the spring peppers today, took some photos and started dinking with them in photoshop. 

Ice Jam on the Skunk River

Ice Jam on the Skunk River

Iowa in the Spring

Spring Beauty

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) Taken at Skillet Creek Indian Mounds.

Trumpeter Swans

I do believe that this nesting pair are Trumpeter Swans.

Cherry Blossoms

Spring Beauty

I believe this is Spring Beauty (Claytonia lancelota) but I could be wrong the leaves are a bit narrow but after last years floods and this past winter being so bitter anything is possible at this point. There were only two sepals on each blossom, will know more by the weekend as more things will be in bloom.

Scarlet Cup or Sarcoscypha Coccinea

Sarcoscypha Coccinea or Scarlet Cup (ascomycetes)

Found this guy sticking out of the ground, poked gently at first with a small twig to see if it was a plant or not. Once I ascertained that it was a fungus I dug out the stick it was attached for better photographing ops. I put it back where I found it, in the mud under some oak leaves. Taken at Soper's Mill on the north trail.

Spring has Sprung in Iowa

Two weekends ago.

Unkown

I'll know more about this plant in the coming weeks as it developes blossoms. the blossoms in front of the plant are some sort of anemone.

Great White Egrets

It's nesting season here.

Bloodroot

Marsh Grass

We have several marshes in our local area, this photo was take awhile back, a few days ago I drove past the marsh and the spring burn had been perscribed. I can't wait to see the new prairie plants break earth.

Spring Beauty

We have quite the prairie plants in our green belt areas.