Too early for tadpoles

Alanagh, Molly, and I headed to Charleston Lake Park today to see if we could find tadpoles in one of my hunting areas. The path was blocked off and the parks officials would not let me drive through the yet unopened park so Alanagh insisted we go down Router Rd and Shawmere Rd. I knew there were wetlands along these roads so I agreed to check them out. 

 Although we saw no tadpoles we did see 

A leopard frog

And a young bull frog

The Caddisfly  larvae were really fun to see, particularly when they “decide” to move about. They are such interesting wee creatures. They make their casing out of anything at hand. There is a Lymnaeidae or Pond Snail in this picture too.

 This Caddisfly larva seems to have made its casing from small bits of wood but the one in my hand below, made its casing of aquatic plants. 

There were too many mosquito larvae to please me one little bit, but I did enjoy watching the water striders.

I hope I do not bore you with wild flower shots but these roads are simply dumb founding with their beauty, and although I have sent you many flower shots before, I will take a risk and send you some from today.

Newly opened first for me this year: Bellwort

Spring Beauty made some of the hills look star studded, as far as I could see.

Trilliums

by the hundreds

Hepaticas: there were waves of them

and some were tucked into a niche in the rocks.

Entire hills were gilded by dog tooth violets

and even Wake Robins abound on these roads.

There were places where they all grew together. Simply unimaginable beauty.

So grateful to have you to share my Spring. 

I am guessing the black flies will be out tomorrow. Just a feeling, and with that feeling, I leave you one more time.

Thanks all.