I have been sick for nearly 6 weeks so naturing trips just ain't happening - therefore it is time to talk about the past and the future at the same time.
The past first - I wanted to take pictures of skunk cabbage when it was blooming. The skunk cabbage is the first wild flower to bloom here in the late winter and very early spring. It's flower is not considered beautiful by most folks but I always love to see it as it means spring is just around the corner. As a member of the Arum family the plant actually produces it's own heat to melt trough the snow in order to bloom. Several years ago my friend Ken Miller volunteered to take me to a place where he knew we would find the plant. It was planned to be an easy walk through a stream under a bridge and into the marsh where they grow. The water was very deep so we had to "walk around" the stream. We went several hundred yards down the road and crossed a railroad track (build on a high mound) The snow was frozen and ice covered so footing was not easy. I was not as well as I am today and needed the help of Ken and his grandson Jeremy to push and pull the fat man up the hills. It did not help that we were all laughing about the situation. The mission was accomplished, with a great deal of struggling.
Next, the future - I am looking forward to the skunk cabbage blooming again this year. Spring is such a special time and any sign the winter is loosing its grip to the wonderful spring flowers and creatures is a memorable event.
Above are 2 pics from the eventful day.
