Mid April is time to begin another season of wildflower hunting in St.Lawrence County, NY. A short hike through the woods along the Grasse River near Morley today was rewarding.

Wild Ginger – Asarum canadense

The hairy ginger flowers hug the ground as the leaves begin to unfold.

Looking into the mouth of the beast reminds me of the Kraken in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Round lobed Hepatica – Hepatica Americana

Small clusters like this one were scattered throughout the woods.

The white flowers usually have 6 to 10 petals.

The leaves are odd fuzzy looking things before they unfold.

Blue Cohosh – Caulophyllum thalictroides

Blue Cohosh is one of the stranger looking woodland wildflowers out back.
See more photos of them here: Blue Cohosh

It’s been almost a month and there are still Spring Beauties in bloom. These are one of my favorite wildflowers so don’t hold it against me for posting another photo of one.
Carolina Spring Beauty – Claytonia caroliniana

Bloodroot bloomed along the river bank at the edge of the woods.
Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis

Trout Lily – Adder’s Tongue – Erythronium americanum

Before I get to Stewy I just want to show today’s wildflower find. I discovered these tiny yellowed eyed pretties with pale blue petals while walking through a corn field.

Bluets – Houstonia caerulea

I didn’t expect to find Bluets among the corn debris but there were a fair number of tight little clusters like this one. If it doesn’t rain tomorrow I’ll be going back to ‘save’ them. How can I resist?

Nearly every cat I’ve had has followed me around but none like Stewy. Stewy will tag along through woods and fields on walks that loop around a couple miles out back. Stewy would rather hunt for mice along the stone walls but he’s patient enough and will wait for me when I fuss with the camera. Dog not so much, Pookey took off for home rather than wait. Dog doesn’t care to be out standing in a field.

Corn field kitty

The stone walls are Stewy’s favorite hunting grounds. There are plenty of mice and chipmunks that easily evade him by vanishing into the walls but Stewy doesn’t mind, finding a comfortable place to wait for them to reemerge is no problem.

Rockcliner

The swamp out back might slow Stewy down but it won’t stop him from following. This time I had to wait.

Oops, go where?

There was a jump of about 6 feet to dry ground and Stewy had to sit and think it over.

Who put my tail in the water?

About now I was getting a feeling Stewy was considering me pond scum.

Ya got to be kidding me

Just as I was about to save him, Stewy made the jump. I have to admit it was an impressive leap of faith.

My first wildflower photo of 2012 came as a bit of a surprise. The Carolina Spring Beauties – Claytonia caroliniana are about two weeks earlier than I’ve ever seen them.

The flowers are pretty enough to bring me to my knees.

The woods held a couple more surprises. Besides the spring beauties I also found wild leeks (ramps) and a number of garter snakes around the rock outcrop.

The leeks are nearly ready to harvest. I’ll be eating wild leek – potato soup early this year.

Anyone living in the Canton, NY area want some wild leeks? I’d be happy to pick extra.

Garter Snake – Thamnophis sirtalis

For some reason I don’t believe garter snakes got the name because women used them to hold up their stockings.