Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Skunky

This is an up close and personal report on skunks. No. No Not that kind.




The kind that is among the first plants to reach up to the sunlight in earliest spring. They're call skunk cabbages. The troutbirder family had gone hiking up a small ravine in Forestville State Park to search for this oddly name plant. The woods had that bare gray look to it before the trees had begun to leaf out. The ground was leaf littered without much of anything growing yet. I was looking for some "seeps". That is a area that would be permanently wet thoughout the summer. It might on a hillside or along a temporary streambed coursing with spring runoff.


Baron as always led the way.







There they were at the base of a small outcropping.




When the skunk cabbage first pops up in the spring, it looks quite like something you've never seen before. The "flower" is rather exotic as well...... and yes it does have a, shall we say, quite unique "aroma."


It's been a long hike this morning so Baron and I plunk down in the leaves for a breather. Our hunt successfull we know for sure now, that the skunk cabbages having arrived..... so has spring!

16 comments:

  1. It's nice to know that you found the skunk cabbage and that Spring has arrived. I think I prefer to mark the arrival of Spring by the dogwood trees!

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  2. So if you don't have skunk cabbage in your area, does Spring still arrive? :)

    I guess I'll have to go with the robins arriving.

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  3. That is so unusual. I've never heard of skunk cabbage before. It was nice that you and Baron were able to get out for a hike and enjoy the spring weather. I hope you feeling well and over that lingering cold you had.

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  4. A friend and I looked high and low for skumk cabbage (can you think why? ha) a couple of years ago and never did find any. Do I have to travel north to find it? Your showing was quite impressive. And so is the blossom. My guess is that it's given a wide berth by most everything, which would give it the chance to propagate.

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  5. This is a new one for me. I thought you were going to talk about all the skunks that are killed along the road.

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  6. I haven't seen any yet, I've been out lots.On public radio today they said skunks are becoming a new household pet.

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  7. I'm glad spring has arrived for you! Nice photos by the way. We've a couple of pretty nice days here too.

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  8. I love how we all find our own proof that spring is finally in our area. Glad Baron doesn't roll in the skunk cabbage.

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  9. and I was all excited to hear about Barrons run in with a skunk...lol. At least he's smarter than that!!! Unlike me....

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  10. Great story--I was with you the entire way--vicariously. Love Baron and his spirit! Glad your sign of spring has sprung!

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  11. I was just out fishing with my kids today and my son asked me,"Hey Dad whats that plant?" I told him it was a skunk cabbage. I also took a pic of them right when popping up. On my fishing blog I asked if anyone could tell what plant it was. NOw I know. They really do like awesome right when popping up.. Great Post

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  12. I am not familiar with skunk cabbabe either. One of the first things to bloom here in GA are is the Tulip Magnolia. In fact, the pretty purplish blooms almost always get zapped by frost! It's nice to see that you and Baron had some time outdoors.

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  13. To answer the question you raised on my blog: The emperor prayed for crops in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. The Imperial Vault of Heaven is another, similar, building in the Temple of Heaven

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  14. A great walk! We are starting to see Skunk Cabbage here now, as well as a few buds leafing out. Such a welcome sight after a long, white winter! Thank you so much for your visits and kind words and wishes. I'm not able to blog regularly and join in on the blogging community fun anymore. I miss you all, but life takes a turn sometimes. I hope you are well! Best wishes and happy spring!!

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  15. I have never seen them..so thanks for the jaunt..I really enjoyed it. Maybe in a couple of days the back roads will be dry enough to travel..right now many of the travel at your own risk or refuge roads are blocked off due to the snowmelt and rain water running.
    ( I laughed at your "What does this mean" comment):)

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  16. Great shots! Ah, the signs (and smells) of spring. Like you, I reminisce about old dogs and such in the spring--must be the memories coming up from the frost?

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