My tank of “photos of readers” is almost empty, so if you want your mug displayed to thousands of people, and your quarantine situation depicted, by all means send photos to me. Today we have four pictures from reader Gregory James, whose words are indented. (Note: I prefer two photos at most, but made an exception since we have some scenery.)
We’ve been escaping lockdown for strolls along the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan from time to time. The past couple of days have been sunny, and here are a few shots I took along the way. I think the lovely blue flowers are, I think, part of genus Hepatica. The white and yellow flower are Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). But I’m not botanically well-versed and I could be wrong. The tree we’re seen fondling is a Sycamore [Platanus occidentalis], one of several in Kern Park. I don’t know how they survive this far north but they are big and wonderful.
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Unmask those readers.
Just protecting you, Randall!
We all look like highway bandits these days, Greg.
I halfway expect everyone I pass on the street to say “your money or your life” (or “plata o plomo” as the gangsters down south put it).
That blue forest floor reminds me of the Hallerbos (wood of Halle) near Brussels. Floor covered with bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g1009379-d6542125-Reviews-Hallerbos_The_Blue_Forest-Halle_Flemish_Brabant_Province.html#photos;aggregationId=101&albumid=101&filter=7&ff=378374687
The blue flowers do not look like Hepatica, or Anemone hepatica. Those have different leaves and not quite the same blue color. To me they picture resemble Scilla siberica, which grow in my back yard i Uppsala, Sweden, and in great abundance in the parks here this time of year.
You could be right. Scilla siberica is invasive in Wisconsin and these slopes are loaded with invasive plants. The worst of them are garlic mustard and buckthorn.
Yes, I would concur: These are blooming like crazy in our yards here (St. Paul, MN) now.
“Squills”
The blue flowers do not look like Hepatica, or Anemone hepatica. Those have different leaves and not quite the same blue color. To me they resemble Scilla siberica, which grow in my back yard i Uppsala, Sweden, and in great abundance in the parks here this time of year.
That bark is very cool, as is the blanket of blue flowers.
It’s nice to go on walks; burn off those beer calories. 😉 I don’t wear a mask walking around here because there’s no one around. At the same time, our governor never made it mandatory; I don’t know why. I always wear one when I go to the grocery store though.
It’s always nice to be able to put a face to a (user)name. Right now, I suspect Gregory is more likely to be recognized in the supermarket with the mask.
Nothing like the Lake Michigan shore. Where I spent many happy hours. It’s great that you can get out and enjoy nature.
The lake is great but this time of year it keeps things chilly much longer than I’d prefer. I’ll feel differently about it come August. 😉
Yeah, wind from the east, free air conditioning!
What a wonderful place to be able to walk.
The photo with the blue flowers looks especially enticing to be in.
Glad to see who GBJames is! I always love your comments…
The lake looks nice and blue.
Sycamores can survive even cold Ontario winters.
Nice photos! Stay healthy!
We normally go for walks in our local state parks to see the early blooming forest floor flowers (e.g. bloodroot). But they are closed this year. 🙁
Ours were open for a while but people abused the opportunity. Apparently vandalism increased along with rubbish-dumping. Too many failed to follow social distancing. And we all lost the chance to visit state parks. 🙁
Yeah, they ended up closing all the trails & parks here because people from other cities were driving there to walk on them & no one was observing social distancing & many were laughing & saying they wouldn’t stop until the government stopped them. So, ruined for everyone now.
Jerry, for your use if interested. Thanks for what you do.
My greyhound Rosie and I continue to walk sections of the Ice Age Trail, here we are In southern Wisconsin. The hikers are more numerous now on the trails. I’m retired, and Rosie as well as our son’s cat Apollo like it that their humans are home more now. Apollo is very social and all three of us take naps in the sun. On the coffee table is one of the Harry Potter books I am reading as an escape during this time (the beard left with the warmer weather). I am tuning out as much of the bad news as I can for my health. Lastly, a photo of Apollo the Magnificent in a cupboard above the refrigerator.
Paul Turpin
Sent from my iPad
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Lovely shots! Thank you!