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Natural Sewickley

~ A photo blog of the Little Sewickley Creek Watershed ~

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A photo blog of the Little Sewickley Creek Watershed that includes wildflowers, wild mushrooms, frogs, trees, and all the flora and fauna indigenous to the area. Little Sewickley Creek is a small stream about 13 miles downriver from Pittsburgh, Pa that flows through old growth forest until it eventually empties into the Ohio River.

June 25, 2015

Early Spring Flowers

June 25, 2015/ Los

I've been really lazy about posting, so this is a collection of photos from backn in April including some of my favorite spring flowers.

Eastern Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) -Spring Beauties are one of my favorites.  Their pink and white blossoms can appear waxy when at their peak and their arrival in early spring adds welcome color to the the forest floor after the drab … — Eastern Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) -
Spring Beauties are one of my favorites. Their pink and white blossoms can appear waxy when at their peak and their arrival in early spring adds welcome color to the the forest floor after the drab winter.

Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) - Everyone was enjoying the sunny day I took this picture, even this Eastern Garter Snake.  After he spotted me, he darted off the trail and took a defensive position in teh crook of this large oa… — Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) -
Everyone was enjoying the sunny day I took this picture, even this Eastern Garter Snake. After he spotted me, he darted off the trail and took a defensive position in teh crook of this large oak tree.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) - Our area is blessed with large numbers of different violets ranging in a variety of colors from purple and blue to white and yellow.  I believe this particular specimen is a Downy Yellow Violet, but … — Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) -
Our area is blessed with large numbers of different violets ranging in a variety of colors from purple and blue to white and yellow. I believe this particular specimen is a Downy Yellow Violet, but we do have other yellow violets that are similar.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - Bloodroot is one of my all time favorite wildflowers, but like a lot of the wildflowers native to our area, it only blooms for a very short time and is not very abundant.  It derives its name from its r… — Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) -
Bloodroot is one of my all time favorite wildflowers, but like a lot of the wildflowers native to our area, it only blooms for a very short time and is not very abundant. It derives its name from its roots, which were used by Native Americans to make a red dye.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) - Dutchman's Breeches are also pretty hard to find in our area so I typically visit this same patch year after year.  When young, the plants look a lot like ferns but then its namesake flowers bloo… — Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) -
Dutchman's Breeches are also pretty hard to find in our area so I typically visit this same patch year after year. When young, the plants look a lot like ferns but then its namesake flowers bloom and they get even more beautiful.

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) -White Trillium is very common in the moist rich soils along the floodplain of Little Sewickley Creek.  Their bright white blossoms standout against the backdrop of the drab brown of the forest floor in th… — White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) -
White Trillium is very common in the moist rich soils along the floodplain of Little Sewickley Creek. Their bright white blossoms standout against the backdrop of the drab brown of the forest floor in the springtime.

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) -Groun Ivy is considered a nuisance weed in landscaping circles, but as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder... The blossoms are tiny, but if you look close they are quite a beautiful mix of blue and light pu… — Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) -
Groun Ivy is considered a nuisance weed in landscaping circles, but as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder... The blossoms are tiny, but if you look close they are quite a beautiful mix of blue and light purple.

Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) - There are a few different blue violets in our area, but I'm pretty certain that these are Common Blue Violets.  Either way, they, like all violets, are really striking. — Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) -
There are a few different blue violets in our area, but I'm pretty certain that these are Common Blue Violets. Either way, they, like all violets, are really striking.

More Pictures:

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) — Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Eastern Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) — Eastern Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) — Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Fig Leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus ficaria) — Fig Leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus ficaria)

Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) — Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)