Wild yam

Wild yam (Dioscorea sp.).  In Celery Bog Park.  Picture taken May 18, 2013.

Link to Dioscorea:

Link to Dioscorea villosa:

Woodland Stonecrop

Woodland stonecrop (Sedum ternatum).  In Happy Hollow Park, near the Boechera laevigata of the previous post.  Pictures taken May 16, 2013.

Link to Sedum ternatum:

Link to Sedum ternatum:

Smooth Rock Cress

 Smooth rock cress (Boechera laevigata).  At Happy Hollow Park.  Pictures taken May 16, 2013.

Link to Boechera laevigata:

Link to Boechera laevigata:

Link to Boechera laevigata:

Link to Boechera laevigata:

Chicken of the Woods mushroom

Chicken of the Woods mushroom, or Laetiporus sulphureus, on a fallen log in the woods.  One of the best wild mushrooms to eat, it really tastes like chicken.  This one is fresh and perfect for eating, soft and like a marshmallow to the touch.  As these mushrooms get older they get more woody and less suitable to eat.  In West Lafayette, May 10, 2013.

Link to Laetiporus sulphureus 



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Shooting star

Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia), at Celery  Bog Park.  These have been planted in the woods near the front entrance to the park.  Picture taken May 7, 2013.

Link to previous post on Shooting star:

Trillium grandiflorum

Trillium grandiflorum, or the Large-flowered Trillium.  This native Indiana wildflower is growing in the woods near the main entrance to Celery Bog Park, near Lindberg Road.  Even though it is a native, this particular trillium was brought into the park and planted here.  Notice the winter aconite surrounding it, which is not a native, and which was also planted previously.  Picture taken May 7, 2013.

Link to Trillium grandiflorum:

Polemonium reptans

Polemonium reptans, at Celery Bog Park.  Sometimes called Jacob's Ladder, this is one of the native spring-flowering plants of Indiana woodlands.

Picture taken May 7, 2013.

Link to Polemonium reptans:

Link to Polemonium reptans:

Garlic Mustard at Celery Bog Park

A rather extensive growth of garlic mustard (Alliaria petoliata) crowds out the native wildflowers that normally inhabit the forest understory.  At Celery Bog Park in West Lafayette, May 7, 2013.

Link to Alliaria petoliata:

Mallard duck nest

I was looking for pokeweed along some high ground near the Wabash River and didn't notice this mallard duck's nest until I was two steps away and the duck flew away leaving the nest.  Picture taken May 5, 2013. 

Link to previous post on mallard duck:

Wabash River May 4, 2013

The Wabash River at Lafayette, May 4, 2013.  The river is still above flood stage at about 13 feet but has been receeding slowly since the high mark at 25.6 feet on April 20.  Looking upstream from the pedestrian bridge.

Link to Wabash River levels:

Canada Goose at nest

This canada goose (Branta canadensis) chose to build her nest at the power substation on Yeager Road just north of Cumberland Ave. in West Lafayette.  The fence keeps the nest safe but allows people to approach too close for goose comfort. 

Picture April 30, 2013.

Previous post on Canada Goose:

Thirteen-lined ground squirrel

Thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) at Prophetstown State Park, April 27, 2013.

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