Fort Hill is always one of my favorite places to take a hike… it is ever changing daily. You never know what you are going to see. (Click on blog link to see other photos.)
Phil and I were just finishing a hike when I saw this tiny red-orange flower on the side of the road. It was a really tiny flower, only 1/4,” with 5 petals and a central purple circle. The plant only grows 2-6 tall inches so it is difficult to see in the grass. I took a few photographs and went home to do some research. It is a Scarlet Pimpernel.
I wasn’t happy with my photographs as they were a bit blurry so I debated whether to go back and try again or wait until the next time I was there. Good thing I decided to go back that same afternoon as the next morning they had all been mowed down.
So pretty, don’t you think? They bloom from June to September so, if they grow back again, you will have plenty of time to see it.
I had never seen a Buckeye butterfly before, so it came as quite a surprise to see one on the trail at Fort Hill yesterday. I had no idea what it was… only that it was just beautiful! Those colors and those spots! What could it be? (Click on blog link to see other photos.)
I posted 3 different photographs: 1. The upper side of the Buckeye which is very colorful. 2. The wings are partially closed. 3. The wings are mostly closed. How different it looks when its wings are closed. It just blends in. It seemed to like being right on the gravel trail.
The Buckeye lives year-round in the southern United States but ventures up to New England for the summer. It has a wing span of 2- 2.5″. It is brown with 2 orange bars on its forewings and 2 different sized eyespots on each wing. It lives in open fields and meadows.
Have you ever seen a Buckeye butterfly? Those colors and patterns are gorgeous!
Yesterday was one of those days when it was cloudy and cool enough to take a nice walk at Fort Hill in the afternoon. Usually it gets too hot by then. I thought maybe we might see some new wildflowers or perhaps, a butterfly or two. We most often see birds in the morning or evening, not in the middle of the day. (Click on blog link to see more photographs.)
Little did we know that we would see six Northern Bobwhites walking on the trail. Two at a time in 3 different locations. What a treat! We haven’t seen one yet this year but have frequently heard their call, “Bob-white! Bob-white!” I learned this call from my Dad when I was a little girl, as he was an avid birder and I have never forgotten it. It is so clear and so distinct!
Most of the time they were on the trail in front of us running down the trail while we tried to get a photograph. They were pretty quick. And just when we were giving each other a fist bump, we would see 2 more walking along the trail. It was really cool!
Have you seen a Northern Bobwhite this year? There are obviously quite a few at Fort Hill and they do like to walk the trails… with us! 🙂
I had been watching this bud on the side of the trail at Fort Hill for a few days, taking a photograph of it every couple of days. I had no idea what it was, or even if it was a wildflower. The bud caught my attention; it was so pretty. (Click Blog link to see sequence of bud blooming.)
It finally bloomed and it is gorgeous! But I have no idea what it is. I cannot find it in any of my books or apps. Can anyone help me identify it?
Exquisite, don’t you think? Love the sequence of watching it bloom.
It’s another spectacular year for the Lupine at Fort Hill. They are just beautiful! If you’re in the area, it’s worth the visit! They are in full bloom right now… so don’t wait too long!
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
