Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
Click on Mark Twain to jump to Troutbirders book review blog

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Marsh Marigolds

Spring is the time for outdoor activities. My favorites are hiking/birding, flyfishing for trout, gardening & biking. The hiking/birding activity does double duty as a means to exercise my dog Baron & myself . Baron does a great job in flushing up the birds as well as the occasional coyote, racoon, deer and many small four legged creatures. I never know what to expect... Recently the Big Guy and I were following a white carpeted trail along the Little Iowa River in Lake Louise State Park.







Along the way were patches of wood phlox.
Except for a bike trail, the park is not heavily used except on weekends in the summer. Baron had romped down off the trail to the river (creek really) to get a drink of water. I followed. Come on along....
As we approached the river, we noticed patches of bright yellow. The boggy ground next to the river had produced a crop of Marsh Marigolds, known locally as cowslips.






This wildflower is common in swampy areas and along stream banks. Marsh marigolds emerge from shallow water or grow on small mounds holding the plant just above the water. Along with Skunk Cabbage, Marsh Marigolds are a welcome sight in early spring but seem to disappear as fast as they emerged. I have a few in my woodland garden. They transplant well but going into the spring muck to dig them up can not be described as easy

24 comments:

  1. so pretty. made me think of wisconsin.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So that's what those are called. Have a few down the road at the creek I like to go walking at. Actually more tan a few so maybe I'll try to transplant some.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We've got Skunk Cabbage and later we'll have marsh marigolds, but no Cowslips. These are sure pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those are pretty. I love flowers of any kind!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You and Baron seem to be enjoying your spring hike. Lucky!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Marsh Marigolds are really beautiful and cheery. I'm glad you followed Baron and got these pictures. The phlox is beautiful as well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So Baron even points flowers! Great photographs of this great find. Best wishes for Mrs. T as the Relay for Life approaches.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those Marsh Marigolds are delightfully cheerful. What a lovely place for you and Baron to scare up wildlife.

    ReplyDelete
  9. wonderful to see your spring beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sp springy looking! I have a few tulips that bloomed...that's about it. Nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  11. we call them Cowslips or Marsh Marigolds up here too..and I saw a few the other evening...they are the first to bloom up here. Phlox already..wonderful! Baron looks good after the winter. My best to Mrs. Troutbirder:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the splashes of yellow after a long, dull winter. Nice of Baron to lead you off the beaten path.

    ReplyDelete
  13. love those wood phlox, and yellow flowers are my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice walk.....happy weekend....love Ria....xxx..

    ReplyDelete
  15. They look like little patches of sunshine.

    PS: I don't know if the possum was trying to play dead... it was a very blind extraction and I wasn't the one doing it, thank goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, I like your blog. I've been browsing it for hours.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The Marsh Marigolds are lovely. I love the way they clump together to form such a beautiful yellow glow.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a perfect adventure for you and Baron! Love the photos of Baron among the flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have a few growing in the woods behind the house.Love them

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a wonderful 'romp'. I sure loved seein' the wildflowers along the way though your lovely pics!

    God bless and have a magnificent week!!! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Isn’t it lovely to be back outside in the forest after the long winter? Gorgeous phlox! I like the name marsh marigold better than cowslip. You like Skunk Cabbage despite the stink?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Those marsh marigold are quite striking with their lovely golden hues. Up in the Sierras here in California, we have a form of marsh marigold that grows along alpine creeks, but the blooms are quite small and a nondescript white in color, so very easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice. I skipped posting a bunch of pix this spring for fear of being repetitive. But, who remembers from one to the next? And, it is just nice to see the new growth and re-blooming that occurs all over the place. Anyway, HKHWR is visiting Minny in Sept. Will reach out soon...

    ReplyDelete
  24. The wildflowers are lovely. This looks like a great trail for you and Baron to go exploring.

    ReplyDelete