18 April 2025

Several days were sunny this week so I made sure to get outdoors.

At Raccoon Wildflower Reserve on 13 April I encountered a broken tree which I have seen many times before, but this time it had a shadow that nearly touched the far end. The brightly lit forest floor also shows why wildflowers bloom in April. They are flooded with light before the trees leaf out.

Best Photo of the week, though not a native wildflower. Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is blooming throughout western Pennsylvania.

The day warmed up considerably at Raccoon Wildflower Reserve on 13 April. I could almost watch the flowers opening.

Trout lilies (Erythronium americanum) were just beginning to bloom along the south-facing cliff.

Spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) were everywhere.

Sessile or toad trillium (Trillium sessile) was still in bud, though even when it blooms it barely opens.

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) were still in bud on Sunday but they’ll be open today.

Beavers have been busy along Raccoon Creek. Unfortunately this tree looks doomed.

Next week promises to be warm and sometimes sunny. It’s a good time to get outdoors.