24 April, 2026
Benjamin Park, Waterloo, ON
Often overlooked, Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is a sure sign of early spring, and a flower I look forward to.
It seems that as soon as I locate Blue Cohosh, Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is not far behind.
Lichens are not easy to identify, but they are always exciting to see. I believe those shown below are Rosette Lichens (genus Physcia).
Violets (genus Viola) are said to inspire love and affection.
Sometimes the affection blooms longer than the flowers!
This trunk bears the signature of several cavity-nesting species of birds.
A couple of years ago a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta canadensis) set up home there, but I suspect the inner sections have degraded and are no longer suitable.
An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is as familiar as it is beloved.
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is more beautiful than is generally acknowleged.
Like the American comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, it gets no respect!
TRIVIA
I was recently asked by a bright young fellow about the scientific designations vulgare or vulgaris and officinale or officinalis, both seen quite frequently.
Vulgare or vulgaris is the Latin word for "common" or "widespread." It is frequently used as a specific epithet and does not indicate in any way that the organism is vulgar!
Officinalis or officinale, a botanical Latin term, is generally used as a specific epithet to identify plants with medicinal properties.
I knew those four years of high school Latin would come in handy one day!
I always enjoy how you notice and appreciate the plants and birds that many people walk right past without seeing. The Blue Cohosh and Mayapple photos especially feel like real signs that spring has properly arrived.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely appreciation for one of spring’s quieter beauties. Blue Cohosh may not be as flashy as some spring flowers, but that’s part of its charm — it feels like a hidden signal that the season is truly beginning. I really like how you notice and celebrate the plants that many people pass by without a second glance. It gives your nature observations a thoughtful, attentive feeling.
ReplyDeleteThat trunk is really interesting...wonder how many families living in there. I can't recognize any of those plants to save my life :-//
ReplyDeleteThe tree trunk has been well used. Lichens are interesting, neither entirely plant nor fungus. Studying them must be fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI am barely scratching the surface and fascinating is already an understatement.
DeleteKażda oznaka wiosny cieszy. Wystarczy wyjść z domu na spacer, by ujrzeć te oznaki. Nie uczyłam się nigdy łaciny, ale uprawa ogrodu i kolekcjonowanie roślin zmusza nieco do używania tego uniwersalnego języka.
ReplyDeleteLas que nos dejas hoy si se ven por Béjar y las reconozco. la Caulophyllum thalictroides tiene unas florecillas blancas preciosas. Gracias David, cada día me queda menos para volver a mis paseos normales diarios. Buen mayo .
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
That tree looks like a bird apartment, doesn't it? It would be too bad if the apartments were substandard.
ReplyDeleteMore than substandard, Sandra. I think they are uninhabitable!
DeleteThank you for sharing your recent sightings.
ReplyDeleteThe tree trunk has certainly been well used!
All the best Jan
You know there are different species of birds living in that tree? Do the size of the holes give it away, or does it just seem more likely than one species.
ReplyDeleteThe size of the holes does give clues to the occupants, Kirk. Animals such as squirrels and flying squirrels also occupy these cavities, in addition to birds.
DeleteInteresting. The word vulgar or common was used in Ireland to describe someone not quite up to par in manners and decorum. That tree is something else! And I had high school Latin too. Very, very useful.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Hello friend, how's life? i admire the ability that naturalists like you have to find wonder in details that most of us would overlook. With you, lichens and even latin words end up becoming part of the charm of spring :) it's such a pleasant stroll, and those violets fill me with love. Happy weekend! gros bisous & many fragrant flowers for you * ﾟ *.｡🍃｡･💛🌸🎀🌺🌷💛 🌸🎀🌺🌷* 🌷 ｡･ﾟ*.｡ ✨💛🌸🎀🌺🌷💛🌸🎀🌺🌷* ✨ 🌷🌷
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing well-used trees like that one. It seems that every time I look out a window this week I see an American Robin strutting around my yard, making a stop on its way farther north. And thank you for that violet picture. It definitely brightened my day!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful observations, David.
ReplyDeleteThe tree trunk is beautiful, I think many birds must have made use of it.
All the best, Irma
Beautiful pictures David !
ReplyDeleteSpring cross Atlantic because cold and rain reappear here...
Bises et bon weekend !
Anna
Here in Finland, on a photography trip, I saw a similar tree that was full of holes. But it was in the yard of a house and there were lights in the holes
ReplyDelete...thanks for the interesting botany tip!
ReplyDeleteI never had Latin (shame on me) so I really appreciated those bits of trivia. Perhaps you will share some more. :) And violets are blooming all over my yard right now. They are quite lovely indeed. Have a super Friday and weekend David. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI have woodland violets all over the backyard but they haven't bloomed in years.
ReplyDeleteThey never taught us Latin in the 90s in Scotland. My dad was at school in the 60s and they got Latin.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos once again David :-D
No Latin at my high school, but I do have a tree on my farm that is similar!
ReplyDeleteLove that treetrunk and how amazing that it became a highrise building for cavity-nesting species. And good to learn some latin In the Netherlands you only learn it at the highest level of high school as it is useful for doctors, lawyers and of couse botanists
ReplyDeleteI like the lichens too -- and those wild violets are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely appreciation for Blue Cohosh. There’s something special about those early spring flowers that quietly appear before everything else fully wakes up. Your words really capture that sense of anticipation and connection to the changing season. It’s wonderful when an often-overlooked plant becomes such a meaningful sign that spring has truly arrived.
ReplyDeleteFor me, these beautiful violets are also a sign of gratitude, love, and friendship. They are given to someone as an expression of gratitude, love, and mutual respect.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in school, unfortunately, Latin wasn't taught, which is a shame. Of the foreign languages, only Russian was taught, but that was a long time ago :)
David, another beautiful journey and, as always, interesting observations.
I wish you a wonderful week.
The old tree is like an apartment building for birds.
ReplyDeleteI did not know what officinale meant. Glad to find out.
Como siempre me encantan tus paseos, como el encabezado de tu blog, estáis guapísimos los dos. Esas palabras en latín las conozco bien ( aunque no estudié latín ),gracias a mí afición por la botánica. Os dejo abrazos fuertes para los dos.
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