Violets

Once again, a walk in the woods reveals one’s path carpeted by colonies of Trout Lilies and Violets. www.wildflower.org reports that the common name “(Dogtooth Violet) refers to the toothlike shape of the white underground bulb. The name Trout Lily (a more suitable name since the flower is not a Violet) refers to the similarity between the leaf markings and those of the brown or brook trout.”

The yellow flowered Trout Lily refused to be photographed. It’s companion, the Common Violet was not nearly so shy, and held it’s bloom high as it’s portrait was snapped.

These flowers, harbingers of meteorological Summer, are a welcome site along the lowland paths. Frequent glances upward are prudent these days, and are often rewarded with sights of raptors and other large birds migrating along the ridges back to their summer homes. Some, like the Rough Legged Hawk will continue all the way to the Arctic!

Stone Bridge Inn’s Spring Break is over and they’ll reopen this Saturday. Oliveri’s Crystal Lake Hotel re-opens their Lakeside Cafe, Fern Hall Inn resumes their Sunday Barbecue soon. The View Restaurant and Inn is offering new menu options. All these venues are offering specials for Mother’s Day. Figure out which one your Mom would enjoy the most, get in touch, make your reservations early, and make sure Mom’s Day is extra special this year!