Massachusetts - 2005 A visit to the Berkshires
This Appalachian Trail plaque was located not far from the observation tower. A "familiar friend" I often see in the Smokies!
Creeping Bellflower - Close-up
Another view of the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne, MA.
Canadian Burnet - Close-up I saw a relative of this plant on our trip to Alaska last year. They are strange flowers!
Pretty MA Farm scene
Another interesting sight in Shelburne Falls is the Glacial Potholes.
I had to laugh when I saw this "Berkshires hatrack" in the room where I slept at Pam's house. Her husband is an avid hunter. This deer head was one of two that I shared the room with as I slept! At least those antlers came in handy for something! :)
I can't find this tiny white Bluebell in any of my flower identification books, but I'll keep trying to identify it. I found it on the riverbank with the Canadian Burnet.
In April 2005 I got an invitation from Pam O., a friend of mine from our junior high days in Nashville. In July she had her "Major Milestone 6 months" birthday party (you don't invite friends from all over the country to have a party in late Feb. in the mountains of western Massachusetts!). On my first full day in the area Pam took me to Shelburne Falls to show me the lovely Bridge of Flowers. It was originally a trolley bridge which was built in 1908 and "retired" 20 years later. Townsfolk converted this beautiful bridge into a one-of-a-kind walkway lined with hundreds of colorful flowers. What a nice introduction for me to the state! I had been to Boston and eastern Mass. in the past, but this was my first time to visit the Berkshires. I must say, the speech of the people was a little easier for an east Tennesseean to understand! They don't "pahk cahs in Hah-vahd yahd" in that part of the state! :) Note to my Yankee readers, please forgive my teasing about your accents! Heaven knows, coming from east Tennessee I've had my share of teasing when I travel! :) map...
Lily Family Height: 2 feet - 5 feet July 22, 2005 Hinsdale, MA Pam told me that the Canada Lily had been blooming previous to my arrival, so I was determined to find one. We went for a walk through her neighborhood with her sister-in-law and niece. While we walked on top of the aquaduct I spied this lily that was a little past its prime. I was satisfied to have seen it at all since it appeared to be the last one!
Madder Family July 22, 2005 Hinsdale, MA This pretty lacy little cluster of flowers graces the roadsides of Massachusetts in mid-summer. This is a very common flower in the area.
Helleborine; Epiactis helleborine*
Orchid Family Height: 1 feet - 3 feet July 22, 2005 Hinsdale, MA The first time I saw one of these plants it was in bud, I knew it was an orchid, but I had no idea which one it was. The plant grows in deep shade, so when I finally found one in bloom it was difficult to photograph. I had to delete a lot of pictures! This was the best photo I was able to get. I was surprised to read that it is a non-native orchid.
An interesting colored slate roof on an older home in Shelburne Falls. The homes in the town were much different than what we have in east Tennessee. The open area at the top of the roof is called a "widow's walk". ***update*** I received an e-mail from a man in Florida who grew up in this house. He said it is a funeral home, the parlor was downstairs and the family lived upstairs. I'm sure he was quite surprised to find his homeplace in Massachusetts on a website about Tennessee wildflowers! What a small world! :) So, that proves the internet can connect people in some good ways!
Boneset; Eupatorium perfoliatum
Composite Family Franklin Co., MA Note the clasping leaves that seem to perforate the stem, thus the species name.
A Bush Honeysuckle
Enchanters Nighshade; Circaea quadrisulcata
Evening Primrose Family Height: 1-2 feet July 23, 2005 Hinsdale, MA This is larger than the Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade (C. alpina) that grows in the mountains of east Tennessee. It is not related to the poisonous Nightshade which is a member of the Potato Family.
A few of the Glacial Potholes.
Helleborine - plant
Creeping Bellflower; Campanula rapunulculoides*
Bluebell Family July 22, 2005 Winslow, MA Fortunately, this beautiful alien wildflower doesn't seem to cause problems like Purple Loosestrife! I saw this flower blooming when I traveled in Europe a few years ago.
The entrance to the Bridge of Flowers.
Canadian Burnet; Sanguisorba canadensis
Rose Family July 22, 2005 Franklin Co., MA These Canadian Burnet flowers were one of the reasons I risked, and got, wet blue jeans crossing the river. It was worth the effort, I got a couple of new flowers for my life-list! :)
Close-up of Enchanters Nightshade These are interesting little flowers to enjoy close up.
The Glacial Potholes are located below the dam. The polished metamorphic rock on the riverbed was beautiful. Rounded stones trapped in the potholes erode out the holes.
It takes more than a little river to keep me from exploring an area for new wildflowers! Pam got a good laugh as she watched me carefully pick my way across the slippery rocks; at times I was holding my camera up with one hand and holding the rocky bottom with the other. I didn't get too wet! Fortunately, many of the rivers in the Berkshires are more like our creeks than the huge rivers of the south! (photo by Pam O.)