Here are just a few photos from earlier this spring here at the home park. It's been such a busy season that I have not had time to post these. Better late than never (unless I'm boring you with too many photos?)

In any case, it's been a wonderfully rich and diverse spring season here in East Tennessee. Our native columbines began blooming much earlier than usual, and have lasted longer than usual as well.






Chorus frogs have ceased their spring singing and egg-laying. All the tiny ponds are full of tiny tadpoles, and the diminutive adults are heading off to their damp forest summer homes.






This mockingbird seems to be checking out the Tulip Poplar buds. By now, the Tulip Poplar trees are already leafed out and full of those tulip-like green and orange blooms.




It was not a great season here for my favorite edible mushroom, but we did spot a few Morels...




But it was a great season for one of my favorite common wildflowers. Just look at how many Jack In The Pulpit blooms were together in this one little corner of the forest!








Was pleased to find a new population of Long-spurred violets here at the home park. Even after working here for 35 years, there are still daily surprises!





These Mayapples were just sprouting when I took this photo a few weeks ago. Now they've already finished blooming and are beginning to ripen fruit. Spring wildflowers have to compress most of their life cycle into a brief period between the end of winter and the expanding of all the tree leaves...






Our native Pinxter azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) were recovering from last year's incredible bloom, so just a little bloom this year.




Not so for our Solomon's Seal plants - every plant in the park was loaded with their tiny bell-like flowers (soon to be small fruits relished by chipmunks and such).




And our Wild Geraniums were also loaded with flowers this spring!




This friendly Black Rat Snake was out enjoying some warm spring sunshine. You can tell by his clouded eye that he is about ready to shed his skin.




And this young Cormorant was also soaking up the spring sunshine from a convenient leafless perch.




Hope you enjoyed this belated view of early spring, and that you'll share your comments and critique.

[eaglem]

Another brilliant series of shots.

[joip]

I love the Jack in the pulpit shots!

[Susinok]

Great series! So many nice blooms out right now for you.

[wildman]

Nice work.

I especially like your Jacks.
You have a good eye for closeup - God is in the details.

[bscott]

I enjoyed your photos of spring time. I really like the wild geraniums photo.

[Rense]

Excellent series, thank you for leading us through your 'back yard'...!

[Heinrich Lohmann]

What an absolute gorgeous set of photos, thanks for showing us your backyard.

[mole]

Eaglem- Thanks so much!

Joi - Glad you liked them. I noticed this bunch one day while out working on trails, but lighting was terrible. Fortunately, our East Tennessee weather is always changing. Next day was cool and damp and drizzly, perfect for flower snapshots.

Susan - We are indeed blessed with some great diversity of blooming right now!

God is in the details.

- Amen!!

BScott - Thanks! Wild Geraniums are a favorite of mine too.

Rense - So glad you enjoyed the "backyard tour!"

Heinrich - You are too kind!

[Bob Harris]

thanks again Ranger for great photos and narrative of your area. I bet you feel privileged to go to work each day.

[rbefly]

What a fine series of photographs you've presented, Mole! Beautiful work indeed.
Ron

[Cee Cee]

another superb series, you have such diversity of plant & animal life there, a pleasure to view.
cheers