A Tale of Two Irises

Dwarf Crested Iris, Iris verna

Dwarf Violet Iris, Iris verna

Shawnee State forest has two native Iris species that live in upland woods- not wetlands.  These two species are relatively frequent along the roads of Shawnee State forest and may be my favorite plants in the forest.  I'm just so fascinated by Irises that live in upland woods, rather than wetlands.  Aren't they cool?  I like the dwarf crested iris so much that I purchased a nice one gallon pot from Scioto Gardens last year that is quickly spreading in my backyard wildflower garden.  I could photograph these over, and over, and over again.

Tom

Flora-quest Isn't Only Flowers

Ringneck Snake, Diadophis punctatus

Although Flora-Quest is a celebration of the late spring Flora of Shawnee State Park and Forest, Cheryl allows us to look at other things too.  Shawnee State Forest has quite possibly the state's most interesting reptile and amphibian populations, and during the weekend I was able to photograph these charasmatic herptiles.

Mole salamander larva, possibly a spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculata.

Northern Slimy Salamander, Plethodon glutinosus

-Tom

Pink Lady Slipper

Pink Lady Slippers, Cypripedium acaule

As you may have guessed, it's Shawnee week!  After spending Flora-quest weekend at Shawnee State Forest and State Park, I've got plenty of images of amazing plants and animals to share.  I hope you enjoy!

Tom

 

FloraQuest 2011

Here's an image I liked while I was quickly running through my photos from Shawnee- I love being a guide from Flora Quest- and I enjoyed meeting and talking to so many people, several of you who read my blog.  I really appreciate that you take a few minutes of your time to stop at this corner of the internet.  Flora-quest 2011 was fantastic, I can't wait for next year.

Flora Quest 2011 - A Few Spots Still Open

Flora-quest is fast approaching, and I have a few spots still left on my trip- we'll be adventuring around Shawnee State Forest and the surrounding environs of Southern Ohio looking for wonderful botanical gems to photograph.  I'll be bringing all my gear- if you want to know what I do to get pictures like these, please join me April 29- May 1 at Flora-Quest!

Tom

More from Flora-Quest 2010

Tom-  Just enjoy-  They're all native plants-  Shawnee is spectacular.

Name that Plant! Flora-quest 2010 Collective Naturalizing.

OK flora-questers and beyond, let's see how well you remember what you saw! And everybody else can play too! All images taken in Shawnee State Forest this past weekend.

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Flora-quest 2010 is O-vah!

I think a great time was had by all, in spite of the rainy conditions-  I know I had a blast.  The Shawnee State Forest really was dripping with warblers and the forest floor was covered with blooms- it did not dissapoint.  See you in 2011!

Tom

If anyone knows more about these flies that flock to wild geraniums, I'd love to know more-  I've been observing this behavior each spring for several years now-  their must be some really great nectar down there at the base of the flower!