Trifecta

It is common for fantastic natural sightings to unfold so rapidly that no photograph is possible.  That was the case today when two special events happened right before my eyes.  I was mowing at the time so no camera was even with me to endure the vibrations of tending long abandoned pasture.  On a single pass heading toward the remains of our bedrock ridge, two birds were seen.  A wild turkey flew over me and landed on land much like what is shown in the photo.  Turkeys find it difficult to fly preferring to walk.  This ground near the ridge is rough beyond description with huge chunks of rock interspersed with lumpy ground and standing water.  The turkey fed on dry ground nearest to the ridge and may have flown there to avoid getting wet.

Ingeborg and husband Rudy emigrated to NYC from Germany between the two World Wars.  Rudy was a skilled carpenter making a good living in the city.  When accumulated money was sufficient they found land upstate that was more to their liking.  On one of their trips to the land, they saw their first Indigo Bunting.  So thrilled with the sight of this iridescent bright blue bird, Rudy began building bird houses placing them about on their new land.  Several of these birdhouses now serve on our land.  This morning on the same pass with the mower that featured the turkey, a male Indigo Bunting also flew from the pasture to the woods behind our pond.  Watching it disappear into the forest was a rare thrill.  Every sighting of this bird brings to the surface memories of two people that helped us develop a lasting relationship with the natural world.

The flowers in the photo are Marsh Marigolds purchased and placed here last year.  It appears this this location suits them and I avoided a possible fall into a muddy ditch by buying potted plants.

   

We have a long history with Fringed Polygala having both successfully transplanted this rare treasure then watched it die when overrun by fiercely aggressive native plants.  Traditionally, flowers are open on Mother's day but this year's weather slowed the plants appearance.  We returned to the forest once again searching for this plant.  The flower buds have yet to open so we will return, possibly daily, to see these unusual and beautiful flowers.  The spade like leaf in the lower right corner of the picture is Canada Mayflower one of the aggressive plants that ended our otherwise wildly successful transplant.   
 

It's June? Seriously?

I looked at the calendar and May had thirty-one days this year just like always.  How did it go by so darn fast?  We have not had Lemon Lily flowers for several years.  They  have usually been frosted in May but not this year!  Early this morning I saw the cheery yellow flowers from the house.  I wanted to get out there while it was still cool.  Since there are weeds popping up everywhere,  I chose to work right next to these lovely flowers.  The first thing I did was stick my nose into this flower coming face to face with a Flower spider.  I backed off and so did she but she only went to the other side of the flower where I could no longer see her.  The whole area around the lilies was filled with fragrance.  It was a pleasure to remove unwanted plants and give these beauties their place in the sun.  While I was out there, two  blue Indigo Buntings stopped by close enough for me to enjoy their iridescent color and twittering.  I stopped to watch them and  the  House Wrens that seem to have babies  to feed in the pink birdhouse.  

The Robin's Plantain, also known as Blue Spring Daisy, is blooming now too.  It is a native from a patch that  used to grow in the back meadow.   It is a plant I have rarely seen elsewhere.  It could use some help holding its spot.  Perhaps it will get moved to the top of the list for my next time spent in the garden.

Gorgeous flowers are blooming everywhere.  This is the Blue Flag that grows in front of the house..

All of the Iris are opening now.  This family heirloom goes back to my Mom and my Grandmother.  The fragrance of this flower is a memory from my childhood.  Not big and showy, but hardy, fragrant and lovely, this is one of the plants that garden visitors ask me to share.  I do that often and gladly!  It is cooling off now.  Perhaps I can do a little more before it rains!