by Beryl Singleton Bissell
Member since:
October 4, 2005

Spring Welcomes Me Home! A Photo Essay

May 25, 2008 07:03 PM EDT (Updated: June 19, 2008 10:26 PM EDT)
views: 239 | comments: 37

Within three days of my return home last week – after two and half years of practically nonstop traveling since my book, The Scent of God, was released -- I saw two moose lounging off Highway 61; one fox trotting home to feed its kits with a large gull clamped in its jaws, the first spring ephemerals on the hiking trail in Schroeder, and raging waterfalls all the way up and down the shore.

I arrived home in time to see the first bloodroot opening, spring beauties emerging in tiny clusters, wild leeks in lush patches, and Dutchman's britches and violets on the verge. The bloodroot are not only my favorite woodland flower with their six perky petals, bright golden centers, and lovely scalloped leaves but they are the first woodland flower I learned to identify when I moved to Lake Superior's North Shore and began hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. And the birds outside my window! My Lord, they've been eating up a storm since I got back. What a welcome! I didn't have my camera with me when I saw the moose, or the fox, or the first batch of wild flowers. Now I make a point of carrying it with me wherever I go. One never knows the sights that lay ahead on even the most ordinary of days.


The image
My Bleloved Bloodroot

The image
Violets on the verge

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d878/d733/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Marsh Marigold

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d888/d733/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Perfoliate Bellwort's style is to droop

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d881/d733/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Spring Beauties

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d884/d733/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Dutchman's Britches -- not a very good showing yet

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d885/d733/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
The Fredenberg Creek on the hiking trail

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d875/d733/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
The Cross River next door

The image
The Feeding Tree


 

© Beryl Singleton Bissell 2008

The Minneapolis Star Tribune named Beryl as a "Best of 2006 Minnesota Authors." Her book The Scent of God  was a "Notable" Book Sense selection for April 2006. She is a columnist for the Cook County News Herald and has been published in anthologies and periodicals nationwide. See Road Writer for her travel blog.

 

 

 
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Comments: 37

Mariana T. May 25, 2008, 7:12pm EDT
Beryl, what a beautiful article to find on this rain-soaked spring Sunday ! I was just thinking of you the other say and realize how much I enjoye reading the Scent of God last year on Mama's porch - and then, I see this wonderful article - so glad that you are back from all that touring. Now, you can enjoy your spring and summer a bit and just be.
I know you love nature - as I do - you've really captured these flowers wonderfully - and the birds and the other greenery - I am glad to know what Dutchman's britches were - now, I know. thank you so much for a beautiful article. Salud.
Amy H. May 25, 2008, 7:29pm EDT
Beautiful! thanks so much for sharing. I love the last one. All those birds in one tree and so many colors.
Cheryl W. May 25, 2008, 7:40pm EDT
What a beautiful photo essay, Beryl!
Wilma D. May 25, 2008, 7:50pm EDT
How lovely!
Kimberly Ripley May 25, 2008, 9:40pm EDT
Such a beautiful welcome home! Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us. It really felt spring-like here in NH today, too. It was almost 70 degrees with lots of sun.

It was such a pleasure to hear your voice on the Gather phone call Tuesday! I feel like I "know" you just a little bit better!

Welcome home, Beryl!
flit . May 25, 2008, 9:52pm EDT
Those are very pretty pictures.... love the white with a bit of pink ones
Lawrence U. May 25, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
Beautiful!
lynn a. May 25, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
Fantastic photo essay. I've never seen these flowers before, and they are gorgeous. Very nice. Thanks for posting.
Jennifer S. May 25, 2008, 10:58pm EDT
I enjoyed seeing these sights through your lens. I can easily see why the bloodroot is your favorite...it's so striking in its simplicity. Are the bloodroot flowers always cradled by the beautifully sculpted leaves like in your photo?
Patry Francis May 25, 2008, 11:10pm EDT
I can imagine no more glorious welcome!
Alison H. May 25, 2008, 11:15pm EDT
Fabulous flowers and sights! Thanks for sharing, Beryl.
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo May 25, 2008, 11:21pm EDT
Wonderful welcome home! The glory of Spring...my favorite time of year. Continue to relax and enjoy.
Wilhelmine Estabrook May 26, 2008, 8:01am EDT
Yes, great photos. Now I know what that littlewhite flower in the woods is called.

Lovely.
Dawn M May 26, 2008, 8:18am EDT
What a wonderful welcome home for you Beryl. The pictures are just so beautiful, and now you have pictures to remember the many beautiful creations that God has put out there to be seens. Thanks so much for sharing.
Verie Sandborg May 26, 2008, 11:01am EDT
I've been enjoying the same spring ephemerals you saw. I like the way blood root emerges from the ground like a mini spear with the leaf tightly wrapped around the stem and the flower bud looking like a little helmet.

I also smile at Dutchman's breeches. The flowers look like a row of mini pantaloons hanging up to dry on the flower stalk clothes line.

Thanks for the nature walk. I'm hoping to get out this afternoon, but rain is forecast so I don't know if I will.
Patricia F. May 26, 2008, 11:44am EDT
The woods are alive to welcome you! How lovely! I particularly loved the birds in the trees! Welcome home, indeed!
Beryl Singleton Bissell May 26, 2008, 12:17pm EDT
Thanks for all your wonderful comments. My sister read the article and sent me an email saying did you mean 2 1/2 months or 2 1/2 years. I actually meant "years" because for that amount of time I've been gone for one or two days almost every week -- the last four months for 5 days of almost every week and of course.
Jay M. May 26, 2008, 5:19pm EDT
Welcome home!
Marge H. May 26, 2008, 6:09pm EDT
What a beautiful place to live! Welcome home! Thank you for allowing us a glimpse.
wiaka's just ... curious May 26, 2008, 6:30pm EDT
It seems Mother Nature has truely welcomed you home Beryl; what beauty God has granted us, he is truely every where we look.

"WELCOME HOME"

Blessings
John F Walter May 26, 2008, 9:28pm EDT
I never had bloodroot pointed out to me as a wild flower before, Beryl, and I thank you for that. Some magnificent pictures of these floral varieties, my dear. You live in such a gorgeous natural place. Welcome home!
Kathryn E. May 26, 2008, 9:43pm EDT
I have never seen blood root. We have those violets in our yard. This was very beautiful and inspiring, Beryl.
Carolion Grailbear May 26, 2008, 11:09pm EDT
Every year I get overtaken with a desire to sit on the ground and sketch wildflowers. Years back when I first lived in Minnesota, it was the bloodroot that first called to me. Thank you for these beautiful photos.
Barbary Chaapel May 26, 2008, 11:26pm EDT
Not only have you captured springtime but also my heart
with these photos of your northern world, Beryl.
David M. May 27, 2008, 2:04am EDT
Welcome home, Beryl! I'm still working on the book -- got interrupted by many things but mostly health concerns. I'll write you again when I finish it -- it's been great so far! Loved your photo essay, especially the last picture with all the beautiful birds. Take care, and God bless! -- ;-D avid
d g. May 27, 2008, 7:06am EDT
Wonderful way to start my week, by stopping by and enjoying the sights of Beryl's spring returning.

The honey locust and iris' are blooming and the Orchard and Gold Finches are plentiful in our 'new' backyard.

Time to get to work, thanks Beryl!
Diana Raabe May 27, 2008, 9:53am EDT
Welcome home! Your photos are beautiful, Beryl!
Beryl Singleton Bissell May 27, 2008, 9:58am EDT
Carolion mentions sketching the plants. That's actually how I first learned to identify the flowers I saw. I saw the leaves poke forth from the earth and would sketch them, then look for them next time I was in the woods to see if a flower had formed, then I'd sketch the leaves and flowers and take that home to identify in my books of wildflowers. One by one I learned those flowers and though I sometimes have to refresh myself on the later varieties that bloomed, those first ones have imprinted on my mind.
Oh, Beryl. How absolutely gorgeous. I'm so pleased that you named most of the flowers you found - I recognized many, but hadn't known their names. Thank you! How I wish we could walk today at lunch. I'll be tromping around my enclave at work, trying to find the grassy paths more than asphalt where I can. But I'd so much rather be walking that trail with you!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. May 29, 2008, 2:05am EDT
What a glorious tapestry. The white flower with that bit of yellow seems to be the perfect herald to welcome you home.
Kathryn E. May 29, 2008, 6:35pm EDT
Really beautiful and I am SO glad you published to The Triple Name Club where your article is Featured.
jessie voigts May 29, 2008, 9:29pm EDT
lovely, beryl! what a welcome home! i like the bird tree the best!!
Rosa See Ya Jun 3, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
Yes, it is a nice welcome home. I love all the pics, but am especially fond of the Feeding Tree, an excellent name for it.
Mary H. Jun 9, 2008, 6:43pm EDT
This reminds me of the brook by the apartment I had when I went up to Ohio for a year. The sound of trickling spring water was so soothing.

I saw your Road Writer site. I put a comment. It's wonderful
Sheila Deeth Aug 8, 2008, 12:11am EDT
Our garden's going brown with summer, so I thought I'd wander in for a refreshing look at spring. Many thanks.

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