“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:13
Welcome to May! We are almost halfway to summer and soon things will be heating up. I discovered a few interesting things last week, and as always, my treks were educational!
I had never visited this aquatic area when the yellow flag iris was in bloom. I am finding it is perfectly fine to travel the same trails repeatedly because a few weeks or even a few days can make a big difference in what I might encounter.
While this iris is beautiful, it is not native and is considered invasive. The flowers make it a popular ornamental, however I find that this plant does not get very good reviews!
Look but don’t touch is good advice here. As the name implies, sawtooth blackberry likes to grab cloth and dig into skin. Our disturbed areas, roadsides, and other right of ways are filled with these white bloomers right now and the blackberry crop looks promising. I love blackberry cobbler but it is a hot and prickly chore to pick enough berries to make a good pie!
A lesson or common theme in some of todays photos might be that things aren’t always as they appear. I saw this along the trail and immediately thought…my first oak leaf hydrangea of the season. After being attacked by a sawtooth blackberry, I made my way close enough to discover a maple leaf viburnum instead. I pass this way a lot and I had never noticed this shrub. Then almost directly beside it was…
…another plant that I usually only notice later in the year when it has those red hearts bursting open. An American Strawberry bush, often called Hearts-a-bustin (with love).
Standing within a few feet of the strawberry bush and the maple leaf viburnum was a third plant I had never seen. Autumn olive is another non-native species that I understand is considered invasive. It was planted widely around the US for erosion control. This one is at the edge of a power line easement so I guess that explains why it is here.
My bluebird boxes have worked well to provide our friends nice accommodations and to prevent nests from being in unwanted places above the patio!
If you have sweet gum trees where you live you know how aggravating those gum balls can be in the autumn, all over the ground and full of stickers. I call them little land mines at that point. But here in the early going, they do look friendly and harmless. Have you ever stepped on one with bare feet?
Another plant that takes on an unusual look later in the growing season is dog fennel. I usually show it in a post in the late summer or early fall. We call it summer cedar. Coming back from the roots, you can see last years tall brown stems still hanging around.
Here in the south, this is our version of a late April snow!
Our local cardinal keeps moving from place to place to prove his bright red color contrasts and blends nicely throughout the garden!
Every year I am puzzled by this fern sea. I just think of ferns as always in shady, moist places. I believe this is called braken fern. It grows worldwide and does appear March through May in the US. As you can see, it does grow in open slopes and on hillsides. I’ve observed that it turns brown and fades away each year when hot weather arrives in late May or in June.
The fern is a nice looking plant but again, looks can be deceiving. It is toxic and is especially bad for cattle, horses, and pigs…so not a good plant to have around the farm!
Common rush or bog rush does quite well in standing water and is abundant along the boardwalk in the wildlife and bird sanctuary that I visit on occasion, like yesterday!
Homer the happy heron was content to follow me around and pose for photos.
The fading daylight of a wonderful spring day left me thinking about a camel. Pam didn’t agree and said it was more
sheep-like.
Wishing you a pleasant and peaceful first week of May!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
You have to be really committed (or maybe should be!) to go pick blackberries, but they make wonderful pie. That cardinal-on-hydrangea photo needs to be on a card or enlarged. What a great capture!
Yes, picking blackberries can be hazardous. Happy Sunday, Jeanie!
Such interesting trivia, Butch! I always enjoy reading about the plants you find in your area. I found my first poison ivy late this past week on my neighbor’s Rose of Sharon (at my fence), and she has given me permission to take down however much of both I choose. I am currently soliciting manual labor that is not highly allergic like I am! There are some very agressive vines high on this now tree specimen of ROS. Happy May Day, Richardsons!
Stay out of the poison ivy! EM has a terrible case right now, she is terribly allergic.
Poor EM! I didn’t get my first case until I was 40, but have had some really bad run ins with it. I hope EM heals quickly without complications.
Thank you, it is better today.
Love your bluebird picture and the cardinal on the snowball bush is beautiful! Great shot of the heron,too.
I’m constantly amazed at your knowledge of native plants.
I have a friend that has lost two horses due to some something growing in their pasture. She mentioned the name but I don’t remember what it was. It maybe the fern you mentioned.
Beautiful cloud photo.
Happy Sunday!
Thank you, Bonnie. Losing two horses due to toxic plants is terrible!
I enjoyed our stroll this morning. I always learn something new. Your invasive species shown is so much prettier than our kudzu. The cardinal shot is gorgeous! Your bluebird looks happy as does Homer the heron. I do see a sheep head in the cloud. Happy May! Clara❤️
I am so glad you enjoyed the stroll. We are getting rain today, the garden will be happy ♥️
All the beautiful nature around you as you walk is amazing. I love the red cardinal perched on the white hydrangea. Just a gorgeous capture. Happy May. xoxo Kris
Thank you, Kris!
Happy Sunday! The yellow irises are beautiful. And the cardinal in the snowball bush is spectacular! I got a surprise yesterday when I filled my bird feeders (hadn’t done that in the weeks since my surgery). I opened the lid to find it filled with a nest and tiny pink birds with no feathers yet. How did mama and daddy get in? I left the lid cracked and have watched a Carolina Chickadee busily flying in out and out to feed her family.
Thank you, Roxanne. Wow, how did they get in?
Oh, May, it brings such beauty! The bluebird (my favorite) and the cardinal are so beautiful. You captured the cardinal beautifully. I am always amazed at your knowledge of native plants and have learned a lot. Happy May Day. Looking forward to Monday Morning Blooms.
Thank you sweet Dianne.
Good morning, Pam and Butch! Such great photos. I especially love Mr. Cardinal. I think, perhaps, he may be a bit conceited. He want to be where his gorgeous red coat will show. He knows he is handsome. But, the bluebird wins the award. I miss them so and I love the way they bounce through the sky. You have an abundance of beauty in your area. I know you all enjoy every drop of it.
Wishing you a beautiful day and month of May. Blessings to all.
Sandra, you nailed Mr. Cardinal’s attitude while he is perched among the snowball blooms. Happy May!
Such a visual feast to feed the soul and natural lore to feed the mind…. Gobsmacked by that view of the cardinal…
Aww, EM, hope the nasties will be gone soon….I see both a camel and sheep and perhaps a poodle in need of a
clipping? Gratitude, Pam and Butch, for this splendid walk down the Sabbath path that leads to the reaffirmation
that our Creator lovingly provides a treasure trove to those who seek… especially through Butch’s inspired vision.
Thank you, Mary. EM is better today. Yes, the cloud looks like a poodle in bad need of a trim. Happy May!
Wonderful pictures! Adorable birds! Happy Spring dear friends.
Thank you dear one!
Your pictures and comments made me smile!
BTW: What you call an Autumn Olive looks like what we, in the South, call a Tea Olive. It has the most GLORIOUS fragrance- Like a cross between a gardenia and an orange blossom. I can’t figure out why no one has produced the Tea Olive fragrance in a candle, oil or potpourri!
It used to be said that every Southern lady should have a Tea Olive bush growing under her bedroom window. Of course, that was in the days before air conditioning!
We always have Tea Olives growing in our yard and look forward to those blossoms every year.
Happy May Pam & Butch! Such a beautiful month in the South with all the foliage and plants coming into all their glory! Love the cardinal in the snowball blooms, stunning! And of course the heron, those birds fascinate me! Have a wonderful first week of May!
Jenna
Beautiful pictures as always! Love the cardinal against the viburnum and the blue bird “accommodation” is almost exactly the same shade as the bird! I’m not familiar with many of the plants in the pics but it is always interesting to read about them. Poor EM. Happy May to you both!
Thank you, Kim. EM is better, thankfully! Enjoy your week’
This was such an interesting post of beautiful pictures and facts about native vs non-native species! I have a gumball tree and it can be aggravating ~but oh the beautiful Cardinals make it their home! The birds just love it! I can admire it for that reason. Sending love and hugs! 💕💛🤗
It does my heart good to see all the life! We are still waiting for leaves to unfurl!
Spring was a little late arriving, but it has made up for it in so much beauty!
That red cardinal on the white flowers is just stunning! That is just a beautiful photo, as are all of your photos here! Happy Mother’s Day to Pam! God bless you all. 🙂
Thank you, Cheryl! Happy Mother’s Day to you!