Let There be Leaves

Let There be Leaves, originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer.

The Skunk Cabbages are beginning to show leaves around the flower spathes while Ladybugs watch and new Garlic Mustard sprouts appear.

Male & Female Flowers

Male & Female, originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer.

Both male and female flowers grow on the same branch of Silver Maples (Acer saccharinum ).

Finished

Finished, originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer.

One of my dreams and goals for the last 15 years has been to do the Round The Bay Race in Hamilton one more time and yesterday I did it! I was slow and last in my age group but finished ahead of about 200 younger runners. Today, I am thankful for Églantine's support and photos and for the fact that I am not crippled as I was last time I did this race. See more of Églantine's race photos at her Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eglantine/2375530449/

Skunk Cabbage Heat

Skunk Cabbage Heat, originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer.

"Biologist Roger Knutson found that skunk cabbage flowers produce warmth over a period of 12-14 days, remaining on average 20° C (36° F) above the outside air temperature, whether during the day or night." Quote from the following site:
www.natureinstitute.org/pub/ic/ic4/skunkcabbage.htm

As you can see in the photo, the various Skunk Cabbage "flowers" are melting their way through the snow rignt now.

If you have the time and interest, the web site listed above has the best research infromation that I have ever found anyplace on Skunk Cabbage. As you may also figure out, I have enjoyed looking for Skunk Cabbages every spring since I first found them in the Hamilton area. It's been about 40 years now that I have looked for them. I have been recording blooming times for the last ten years or so.

Skunk Cabbage

Skunk Cabbage, originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer.

Finally the Skunk Cabbage is melting its way through the snow.