A Walk in the Woods

My mother and my daughter humored my wildflower obsession by spending a day hiking with me (and my camera) at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.  It was a perfect day.  After inquiring at the park office, I found out the dwarf trout lilies were blooming {the enthusiastic staff also tried to clue me in about all the birds in the park, but I was having none of that!}.  The Minnesota dwarf trout lily (Erythronium propullans) is a federally endangered forest wildflower found in Rice, Goodhue, and Steele counties in Minnesota.  It is found nowhere else in the world.  With some pointers from other wildflower enthusiasts in the park, we found four plants in bloom, and I was giddy with excitement!   {I know, I know... total nerd.}

I won't bore you with all my pictures {and believe me, there are a lot},

but here's another favorite, wild ginger (Asarum canadensis)

Anna posing for me with her hiking stick at the falls.

{"MOM, it's not a walking stick.  It's a hiking stick"}

Anna was really just biding her time on the hike,

waiting to swing in the playground at the end.

Thanks Mom and Anna for a wonderful day!