(Dicentra cucullaria)
One can barely see them at reduced photo size, but draped along the stem and flowers in the second image are the season's first strands of spider silk. Since the north woods are still cool and wet, perhaps the spiders wore coats and gloves to do their work and sheltered under leaf umbrellas. I have to applaud their determination to get out there and spin in such brisk weather conditions.
The feathery gray-green foliage and nodding white flowers like upside-down pantaloons are enchanting all by themselves, and the dancing filaments of spider silk held my attention for some time too with their gossamer shimmer and floating windblown motion. There were lavish clumps of Dicentra cucullaria blooming several feet up a nearby warmed vertical rock face, and I considered (briefly) either climbing up or dangling from the top, but decided to avoid such assuredly risky pursuits and shoot from right where I was standing. No fancy footwork or rock climbing this year...
The woods are slow to leaf out and bloom this time around, but these images were perfect for a northern Beltane or May Day weekend methinks - they need no description from this doddering photographer and occasional wordsmith, although I have done just that this morning and described them.
7 comments:
Cate - just a quick note to say "hello" and thanks again for starting my morning in the right way everyday. For years your shining spirit, words and pictures have been the light that shines in my heart throughout, even on these darkest days. I wish you returned good health and many, many more years spent wandering and sharing your discoveries with us. Take care. PS - a kiss for Spencer, and bow to Cassie. :)
Beautiful! I love the spring ephemerals, so precious and fleeting. Beltane blessings! Carmine
Hi Cate
I always love your photos of the delicate spring blooms in your beautiful woods.
All the best
Guy
So beautiful, such a treasure. As are you.
I have never seen these
thank you
and take care of yourself..
Beautiful pictures!
One of the most lovely wildflowers to me - and increasingly hard to find. Thank you for this photo and your wise words.
Mary
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