The most beautiful azalea in the world.

I will state here that in my opinion Rhodora is the most beautiful native azalea in the country. 

I went out to Philbrick-Cricenti this afternoon and found many dozens of the rare plant lighting up the bog.

Rhodora canadensis, a rare plant that has no competitors.

Some late Marsh-Marigolds lighting up the swamp

Bog laurel is now in full bloom

More bog laurel

Field Trip to Gold

I get out to the Philbrick-Cricenti bog mid-summer every year to see the orchids, but yesterday I was looking for a short, relatively fly-free walk and headed out to see what early summer might offer. I found gold.

Golden Marsh-Marigolds, to be precise. Masses of bright yellow.

Also bog-rosemary, a few early bog laurel flowers, and lots of Rhodora in bud! I'm going back next week to see what I hope to be an amazing display of Rhodora.

Marsh-Marigold!

Marsh-Marigold!

Marsh-Marigold!

Bog-Rosemary

Bog-Laurel

Rhodora!!

Splish Splash, I Was Taking A Bath

While paddling on Chase Pond today I saw splashing on the far side of the water. It looked like a bird in distress. I was wondering if one of the monster snappers had hooked a duck dinner.

As I got closer I could see that it was a loon trying to swim upside down. It turned out that he was just taking his spring bath.

After about a half hour he swam off in search of dinner, much cleaner than before.

Pause In The Storm

There was a break in the storm this morning, so I drifted around Chase Pond in the stillness. Not much was moving, although I did find a colony of spade-foot toads grunting away in the shallows.

Sweetgale flowers (male)

Afternoon Walk

Walking down Village Road this afternoon. Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's seal), Painted Turtle in Schoolhouse Pond, Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus) blooming on a shaded bank.

Sandpipers on the Pond

It looks like the spotted sandpipers are moving through southern New Hampshire.

Turtles are enjoying the sun

 

In shady corners the arbutus is still blooming