Saturday, November 19, 2005

Flowers in the Snow

For some reason I did not see anyone else out looking for flowers yesterday. Something about the snow and below freezing temperatures seemed to put some people off. I couldn't figure it out at first then I realized that shaking the snow off of every plant that I wanted to check was a bit frustrating and ....



Canada Goldenrod <Solidago canadensis)



Azure Aster (Aster oolentangiense)



Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca)

4 comments:

robin andrea said...

When it's so cold outside, how long can you stay out taking photographs? I always have to take my gloves off to use the camera when we're out.

So good of you to brave the elements to take these photos of snow on the flowers. Really beautiful.

Lené Gary said...

These are beautiful! I don't have any fresh wildflowers in snow pictures. Not even one. I hadn't realized it until I saw yours. What a delight! I would definitely be out there tapping snow from their sweet stems and snapping pictures despite the temps. The only problem I haven't fully resolved is how to keep my batteries functioning in sub-zero temps. A friend suggested using those handwarmers in my camera bag.
By the way, is that blue-eyed grass on the front of your wildflower website?

Ontario Wanderer said...

RD, I was out about 1 1/2 hours but it was not that cold by the time I was out. It was just below freezing by one or two degrees. Yes, cold hands are a problem. For the last few year it seems that my fingers get numb with cold very quickly. I can no longer ski in comfort at -20 like I used to do. Walking quickly for a bit between photos helps.

L, There are wild flowers blooming almost all the time. I am increasing my finds every year and have lists for every month now, even January and February. Some years I can only fine one or two species in January & February but any thaw will bring flowers out. Watch for chickweeds especially. I have found them blooming under snow several times. I even found a violet in bloom under snow in December on one occasion.

Yes, there is Blue-eyed grass on the wild flower website. We found 3 or 4 plants on the property two years ago and this past summer we found dozens in various places. I am not sure if they are multiplying or if we are just finding more or both.

Lené Gary said...

I am definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for winter bloomers. Maybe I didn't see them because I didn't believe they could be there. That's amazing and wonderful. Blue-eyed grass is one of my favorites.