Monday, April 28, 2008

trout lily or dog's-tooth violet...

Friday was the "Friends of the Library" book sale. For $1, I now own a copy of An Introduction to Nature: Birds, Wildflowers, Trees by John Kieran. There are some wildflowers pressed between the pages by the previous owner and under Flowering Wintergreen, a handwritten note in the margin reads 'Trout Lake May 1974'.
There are beautiful vintage-looking colored illustrations, and I like the way it reads...

...here is an excerpt for the Trout Lily or Dog's Tooth Violet ~

"In moist woods and thickets and the more solid parts of shady bogs you will find the mottled leaves of this beautiful low-growing flower carpeting the ground soon after the snow has departed. The smooth flower stem rises to a height of 6 to 10 inches from between the two narrow mottled leaves that point in opposite diretions. The single nodding yellow flower has 6 segments that curl back at the tips when in full bloom. This species--there are more than a dozen close relatives in different parts of the country--is found from Nova Scotia across Canada to western Ontario and in the United States from Maine to Florida and as far west as Minnesota and Oklahoma. Dog's-tooth Violet is a poor name for this flower. It is not a member of the Violet family and doesn't look like a dog's tooth. Some call it Adder's-tongue because of a fancied resemblance of the stamens to a snake's tongue. But John Burroughs, the famous naturalist, gave it the name Trout Lily because it is a member to the Lily Family and comes into bloom at the start of the trout season. Fawn Lily is another name, appropriate because of its dappled leaves."

And here are some Trout Lilies that I found in the woods on my walks last week...


Here's what else I saw while out and about...









See the little nest...


Today we are having some 'April showers' which hopefully will bring us lots of 'May flowers'.

23 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:59 PM

    I love those book finds, that are so precious!

    Your photos have really made my day today. :)

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  2. Those grape hyacinths are just glowing! Nice pictures!

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  3. Anonymous4:25 PM

    Such beautiful pictures!

    I love old books, especially when you find things like pressed flowers between the pages. I like to think of the people who owned and loved the books before me.

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  4. I'm so glad you got this book and chose this flower to talk about! My daughter (Miss Flower) has them in her yard and we wondered what they were. Love all the pics. Check out Bloomin' Tuesday and join in at my blog.

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  5. Another wonderful walk. Thank you for sharing.Beautiful spring flowers. I love the idea notebooks in your last blog. Thanks for all the tips.
    Debbie

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  6. Beautiful. My tulips are just starting so I hope to have some pictures soon.

    God bless.

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  7. What a treasure to find at the library sale of all places:-)

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  8. Love all your spring pictures!! That sure looks like a fun walk to go on!

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  9. Anonymous9:04 AM

    Beautiful walk about photos! Lovely blog!

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  10. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful nature photos. I love the "flowery" language of your library find. Why don't people write like that anymore?

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  11. Thank you all for coming by and taking time out to leave such nice comments - I love hearing from you so much!!
    Diane, I agree about the 'flowery writing'...much more enjoyable to read!
    Deb

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  12. My favorite time of year is in the fall when our local college has its big Book Sale - my daughter and I talk about it all year long. Like I need another book - but you never know when you are going to find that "treasure" that you have been looking for!!
    Your photos are so beautiful - I feel like I just took a stoll.

    Bless
    Donna

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  13. Beautiful photos - thanks for taking me along on your walk. Nature is amazing

    Karen

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  14. I went to camp at Trout Lake in 1968. It was either in Minnesota or Wisconsin (can't remember which). Wonder where your Trout Lake is?

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  15. Anonymous8:37 AM

    I love finding books like that! What a lovely place to walk - I enjoyed it!

    Manuela

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  16. Don't you just love it when you find a wonderful book a an even more wonderful price! :o) Beautiful photos...

    Smiles...

    Beverly

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  17. Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures! wish I had an area near me like that. Perfect for nature walks!

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  18. I loved your spring flowers! What a nice way to wake up in the morning. Old books are a thing to be cherished, especially when they carry a special gift like dried flowers. Thanks for the nice start to my day. Cassie

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  19. Books like that are so precious and full of wonderful information. I love your flower photos.

    Happy May Day!

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  20. What a wonderful find, I love old books to. Especially if there is evidence of them being loved and read. Thanks for taking us along on your walk it was beautiful.

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  21. I've got that book too!! It's great. What a find! Love all your photos.

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  22. Great find with the book and lovely flower pics.

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  23. I love field guides like that. And I so appreciate your finds while out walking. Love it.

    Jody

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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