The first wildflower near our house today (looks like a Canada Violet?)
So you know how intently I’ve been searching for the first wildflower, right? And how we spotted that dandelion up in the Copper Country last weekend…but couldn’t decide if a dandelion is a “real” wildflower. (I am of the opinion that it is.)
Well today there’s no more need to keep the eyes peeled 24/7 looking for wildflowers. They’ve sprouted! They’re blooming!
The first one announced itself early this morning in our yard. I’ve tentatively identified it (above) as a Canada Violet. All flower identifications in this blog come from the handy field manual “Michigan Wildflowers: Includes Upper and Lower Peninsulas and the Off-Shore Islands” by Harry C. Lund. Any mistakes in identification are all mine. I’ve stared at the photos in the book, eyes scrunched up, comparing, comparing. But some of them are really hard to give the 100% stamp of identification.
Thinking this one is Bloodroot
Today I had the most lovely adventure, of which you’ll hear more tomorrow. But tonight it seemed important to dedicate an entire blog to the elusive wildflowers which we’ve so longed to see spreading their delicate beauty on the forest floor.
Broad Leaf Spring Beauty
There seems to be more wildflowers near the river. Except for the violet yawning in the morning sun near our house, all the rest of these photos were snapped in an area near the Huron River. The trees were old-growth big trunks, and there seemed much more space in between them to let the wildflowers reach their blossoms toward the sun. At least that’s my theory right now.
Pretty sure this one is Dutchman's Breeches.
OK, you’re wondering about that snapping turtle, right? You’re wondering if a snapping turtle is a kind of flower…no, just kidding. Here’s what happened. About two days ago I thought, “It’s really time to see a turtle.” And kept the old eyes peeled for one in the marshes and swamplands. To no avail.
Until today, heading over a small hillock, I almost crashed into the most magnificent fella. He eyed me with his majestic eyes, his head barely sticking out. Then I sat very still a long time next to him, admiring this calm feeling of wisdom which seemed to be exuding from him. It’s hard to describe. It was an honor just to spend time sitting near him. Asked his permission to take his photo, but don’t remember his reply. It must have been yes.
Snapping Turtle
I never once thought it was an actual snapping turtle. Wasn’t even thinking along the lines of identification. Until Barry saw the photo later and announced, “It’s a snapper!” Although he recommended googling for better identification. Upon googling, sure enough, it looked like a snapper. Although I am not sure of any identification in this blog. Maybe should have left it with “A bouquet of wildflowers and some sort of turtle.”
Oh, and another view of the turtle, in case you’re interested. I’m kind of glad I decided not to touch his shell. Although maybe we had bonded enough so he wouldn’t have snapped off my finger?
Looking straight down on turtle. Look at that webbed foot!
Opening the door, walking outside 
14 comments
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May 5, 2009 at 9:44 pm
CRD
How big was the snapper? How far from water were you?
May 6, 2009 at 6:52 am
Cindy
Leave it to a boy to want to know the kind of details that CD wants to know!?!? How was his trip – even though I can’t remember where he was going?
Lovely, lovely spring flowers…..I’ve yet to see any of those so will have to look harder. I didn’t take my pack for a walk yesterday as I’ve been helping out a friend in his greenhouse…..playing in the dirt and transplanting little babies into their new homes. Good for my soul!
Mr. Snapper is quite the ruggedly handsome guy, hey? Say hello to him from me if you see him again!
Love ya!
May 6, 2009 at 11:12 am
Emma
What a fine turtle!! And congratulations on all the flowers you spotted. 🙂
May 6, 2009 at 11:50 am
centria
CRD, well your dad asked the same question right away! I put my hands in a round circle to show the size and it was maybe nine inches? Best guess anyway. How far from the water? Hmmm….down the bank and maybe twenty steps? Not immediately close.
Cindy, I think the guys had a wonderful camping trip, right Chris? The pictures looked awesome. They were camping and hiking in Los Padres which is north of LA. As for the wildflowers, there really aren’t many right around our house, ‘cept for that little violet. So don’t feel bad if you can’t see any around yours. I’m sticking with the water theory. I’ll bet you just LOVE playing in the dirt. I’ll bet you’ve had a big smile on your face for DAYS. Love to you too…
Emma, that was one fine turtle. It was so delightful to see him. (or her? have we ever considered it might be a she-turtle?) And yes those flowers were awesome. Thank you.
May 6, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Heemes
My family had a pet turtle. Officially, it belonged to my brother because the dog belonged to me. We were very possessive. 🙂
May 7, 2009 at 6:42 am
centria
Paul, did you like the turtle? We had hamsters and guinea pigs here with the kids were younger and I never really bonded with them as much as the dogs and cats. As of now, we’re pet-less. And glad just to be admiring the outdoors animals after at least 25 years of pets.
May 7, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Heemes
I liked the turtle, but Andrew kept it in our room. When I got my own room at age 12, I sort of lost a connection with it.
There was also Hiram the hamster, but that’s another story.
May 8, 2009 at 7:49 am
flandrumhill
Funny about you almost crashing into the turtle. I almost tripped over a seal last summer while walking on the beach. Wayne stopped me just in time. I was looking for seashells, not a seal! It’s amazing how our focus alters our ability to see what’s right in front of us.
I put a drawing of a sea turtle on my Drawing Conclusions blog on May 4th – http://drawingconclusions.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/green-sea-turtle/ – that is so weird that we’ve both posted about turtles this week. They are such fascinating creatures. The one you found has such lovely patterns in its shell.
May 8, 2009 at 7:02 pm
centria
I just scurried over to look at your drawing. It’s so good. Don’t you think sometimes when people start to spend time together (even if it’s virtual time) the synchronicities sometimes start happening. So we both post about turtles the same week. And Cindy & I had some synchronistic thoughts going on. Don’t you love it! By the way, it sounds so romantic to almost trip over a seal. Wow. You are lucky to have them in Nova Scotia. No seals in Lake Superior. (that sounds like the words to a children’s song.)
May 10, 2009 at 10:10 am
sahlah
I love when I read your pages and think – hey I was doing that too last weekend… I was busy taking wildflower pictures. Remarkably many are similar and some very different!
I find real comfort in knowing that even though we live at least a thousand miles apart our beautiful mother Earth is sending the same treats and presents to all who are willing to look.
Happy Mother’s Day.
May 11, 2009 at 6:12 am
centria
It is such a magnificent thought that what we all have in common is our beautiful mother Earth–for those willing to look. I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day too. I’m convinced we’re all mothers in some way, even the guys. 🙂
May 11, 2009 at 8:48 am
flandrumhill
You’re right about the synchronicities happening Kathy. I have noticed that too. Could it be that they happen all the time but we just *choose* to see them at some times more than others? I don’t know but am glad to accept the mystery of it all.
Tripping over the seal wasn’t as romantic as you might imagine as the seal was dead. I am often ‘with my head in the clouds’ and ‘not watching where I am going’ at times.
May 5, 2011 at 6:35 am
Elisa's Spot
OOOOOOOOOO flowers and snapping turtles! I think I told you of the time a mink climbed into my lap while I was praying, but when I got up to climb off of the stones to go up the bank, beside the historic marker, in the mud was a turtle a bit larger than the one you caught and I had stepped upon it! Thankfully for me and even more for it, I felt the ridge of shell through my shoe that did NOT match sinking mud feeling! I had never in my life recalled seeing a turtle in the wild before! We have sun and blue sky this morning Yay!
May 5, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Kathy
Now THAT is quite a story! A mink and a turtle in one day… I have heard stories of people in deep meditation and prayer who have wild animals come and sit in their laps. Amazing…