Several days of rain makes plump mosses. Great cool weather compared to the past few weeks and no rain for a change! We caught the Spiranthes blooming for the first time in years, but there is definite encroachment of the trail and meadow by thorny Blackberries.

Botanical plant names seem to change almost every day, but for now we use those approved by ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name. Photography by Cindy Carpenter & Penny Longhurst. Click on any picture to zoom and view the slide show.