Observers have seen the lowest levels on the bank since the spring’s high water mark. Sunny dry weather continues to lower water reserves and forecasters are predicting the trend will continue. Meanwhile an influx of new wildflowers has increased the bank’s interest. A positive background image emerges when the details of these new assets are focused on. Unfortunately experts believe the late summer rally can’t last and all assets will be frozen before the end of the year.

Sneezeweed – Helenium autumnale

This is the native wild cousin of Hellen’s Flower found in a garden setting. Not always though, some of the garden club members are known to have escaped captivity and survived in the wild. The bright yellow flowers of the wild sneezeweed are cheery and the buttons are cute enough to hug.

No Manners

Stupid fly kept landing on the flower I wanted to photograph. Figures – only the pics that had a fly on it were in focus.

Now is the time to walk/wade down the Grasse River in Morley. The water level is low enough to follow the shoreline without much trouble. Be prepared though – you still have to get your feet wet. This is also my favorite section of the river for fishing using ultralight tackle. The small mouth bass may run small but they sure will keep you busy. A small Mr. Twister with a yellow wiggle tail will out preform any other lure. The majority of bass caught will range 8 to 10 inches but expect to hook into some real keepers too. This short section of the Grasse River is Bass central but Pike, Pickerel, Walleye and Muskellunge are always lurking in other sections and sometimes they pass through.

Enough rambling, time to get back to the natives.

Spotted Joe Pye Weed – Eupatorium maculatum

Yes, of course I spotted it but that’s not what I meant. Spotted is the name, doh! The stems are deep purple or purple spotted so I guess that’s where it gets it’s common name.

Cardinal Flower – Lobelia cardinalis

Whoot! I finally got a photo of a Cardinal Flower that captures the form and the color.

The red is so intense I’ve always had a hard time getting the details to show. The scarlet red usually overwhelms both my eyes and my camera.

New England Aster – Aster novae-angliae

Higher up the river bank a bee was sticking her nose in an Aster.

The sun bleached the color of the flower petals in the photo while the bee was perfectly lighted. New England Asters are really a nice deep shade of purple.

Groundnut – Apias americana

One of my favorites. If you have a chocolate garden theme you might fall in love with this native member of the Pea Family too. The flower’s are fragrant and the color is usually a maroon brown sometimes pure chocolate. The plant is a twining vine, with leaves that are divided into 5 – 7 broad, sharp pointed leaflets. As you can see the flowers form an unusual cluster. The roots form walnut sized tubers that can be boiled, roasted or fried. The taste is sweet and slightly turnip like.