Scenes from the Macro-World - More Ballard Park Flowers

Here's the Solomon's Seal down in the quarry, both a close up of some blooms fully opened and a full branch of blooms.

Also down in the quarry, out in the meadow, the Buttercups are up in profusion.

Out on Hazard Rd. and just down a little from the park entrance there is a very swampy area. Growing there are two flowers that I haven't yet been able to identify. If anybody has a clue, let me know. The purple flowers on the left stand about 6 - 8 inches high, and the flowers themselves are about 1/2 inch across. The hanging "bells" on the right are also about 6 - 8 inches high, and the blooms are 1/2 or 5/8 inch long.

Back in the park and walking up the trails, I came across this wonderful patch of Speedwell. This particular spike was perfect for a multi-bloom shot.

Up the South-West Trail a little bit I came to a patch of Indian Strawberry. This is a wild Strawberry species that actually does produce a small, round fruit. Compared to regular Strawberries, though, this fruit doesn't have much of a flavor.

And of course, up the Valley Trail are the glories of May in Ballard Park, the Lily-of-the-Valley (right photo) and the Canada Mayflower (left photo), both in the Lily family. I've never noticed if the Mayflower has a scent or not, but you sure can tell if you're coming up to a patch of Lily-of-the-Valley; the sweet scent of those tiny bell-shaped flowers just draws you right to them.

And to finish out our wildflower walk through Ballard Park, here's a shot of some Strawberry blooms (regular Strawberries this time) along the Valley Trail, promising to provide a tasty snack in the not-too-distant future. If I can beat the birds to them, that is!

© 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger