Red Toadshade Trillium

The trillium trail across the river (the Potomac) did not disappoint last month on an early morning photo walk.  

The red toadshade trillium were just starting to pop out, with the rain drops leftover from the night before still hanging on.

Me & my phone, walking around town

With life becoming more and more surreal with stay-at-home orders effective last week, I've been trying to maintain some semblance of sanity by walking every day.  Since Tuesday, it's been just me and my phone.  (The prior Sat., Sun. & Mon. were each with a friend at an appropriate social distance away.)  Tweaked my neck last week so didn't feel like lugging my big camera, so here's eight days of wandering as seen from my Samsung.  

Saturday (3/28)

Sunday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday (4/4)

Sunday (4/5)

Spring along the Potomac

Last weekend along the Potomac Heritage Trail in Riverbend State Park, north of Great Falls, my scouting hike was filled with spring ephemerals - wildflowers welcoming the beginning of spring - bluebells, trillium, spring beauties and more.   Will see what's there this weekend when i lead a group of hikers

light purple bluebells

toadshade trillium

trilling toad -- gribbit!

spring beauty

the trail

Trillium hike

A few weeks ago, hiked with friends on a steamy Sunday along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, near Thompson Wildlife Management Area, in search of trillium.  And we found more trillium than I've ever seen! Along with many other wildflowers.  Made it back to the car just as the skies opened up in a crazy downpour.

 The trail - the white blaze signifies the Appalachian Trail - was flanked on both sides by fields of trillium.

Found it this way!

spring flowers

It's been a weird few months weather-wise with temperatures see-sawing warm and cold regardless of the season.  The bluebells came 

a little early this year and a few weeks ago, I hiked the Potomac Heritage Trail while they were in full bloom. 

 Went back the next weekend at the crack of dawn for some of that magical early photographer's light.  Bluebells already on their way out but wild blue phlox and red trillium were out.

 And violets and mayapples too.