…and more.

I had the chance to explore some of the area around the Middle Branch of the Grasse River in the Adirondack Park this weekend. After two day of hiking (wandering around) I came home with plenty of photos, a couple of mysteries explained and a pair of extremely sore legs.

The first thing I spotted was Wintergreen. It seemed to be everywhere. What ‘made my day’ was finally finding some in bloom.

Wintergreen – Gaultheria procumbens

I don’t know if I was early or late but there were only a few flowers to be found.

Another Wintergreen flower

I collected a bunch of leaves and kept sticking them under the noses of the other ‘campers’ (hunting lodge) after crushing them up. Good thing the aroma had a calming effect on them.

AKA: Teaberry
I have a post from last year, Nov. 25th with photos of the berries – Wintergreen. There are a couple of nice photos there if i do say so myself.

And now for something completely different.

Matchstick Lichen – Cladonia cristatella

AKA: British Soldiers
I’ve posted other photos of British Soldiers but this has to be one of the best.

British Soldiers are common enough and I see them often but only as isolated outposts. What made this discovery hard to believe was the fact that I stumbled smack dab into the British Army. I was hard pressed to not step on any as I walked. I estimate they covered well over an acre of barren ground. It was rocky (from sand to basketball sized rock) with nothing you could call soil under a blanket of moss and lichens. In one spot the area was once used as a gravel pit.

Now here’s a new pretty that I promise will show up again.
I found this moth hanging out on some Joe Pye-weed flowers.

Virginia Ctenucha – Ctenucha virginica

Now that I have this moth identified I’m ready to take more photos. I should have no problems getting more pics, these moths seem to be everywhere I go.

Say ‘Good Night’ wiseacre.
Last light over the Middle Branch of the Grasse River. Taken from the upper deck of the Stillwater Club lodge, July 17.

I’ll get to the mysteries another time. One involves a single berry forming from twin flowers and the other is a ghost story of sorts. Each deserves it’s own post and I promise I’ll post them soon.