I’m delighted to say that spring has arrived in Kentucky woods. On recent hikes at Natural Bridge State Park, I spotted several small (½ inch) Scarlet Cup mushrooms (Sarcoscypha dudleyi). These spring mushrooms always add a bright note to any hike.
Although I was delighted to find the mushrooms, I was really hoping to find some flowers, and I wasn’t disappointed. I saw several Hepaticas (Hepatica nobilis var. acuta). I like the white and pink blossoms, and I’m especially drawn to the lavendar ones. I find it interesting that these wildflowers are native to central and northern Europe as well as eastern North America.
I also found a few Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica). These tiny blossoms (less than ½ inch) are easily overlooked unless you find them growing in a mass, as they sometimes do in lawns or meadows.
This close-up reminds me that small can be quite beautiful.
It was great to be in the woods again, and to discover some sure signs of spring.
Betty,
How lovely! A sure sign that Spring is on the way.
Well, Donna, it’s doesn’t look all that ‘springy’ out there today. However, I’m confident spring has begun.
Very Beautiful. Thank you. Joyce
And thank you for your feedback, Joyce.
Stunning photos! What a delight to the eyes 🙂
Thanks, Judy. Isn’t it great to see things ‘happening’ out there again?
Amazing pix Betty! Such pretty little flowers, and yes, we too have very similar
ones in Jersey. The Scarlet Cup Mushroom is striking!
Thanks, Pauline. Good to think of us having some similar plants clear across the Atlantic Ocean.