The Water Willows are in full bloom near the waters and swamps on Cape Cod. You can see them on the boardwalk on The Red Maple Swamps Trail at Fort Hill or going over the bridge on the Silver Spring Trail at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. They are so pretty and so unique. (Click on blog link to see other photos.)
The flower is only 1/2′ to 1″ while the plant is quite large growing 3-9 feet. They bloom in late July and August near shallow water.
The first photograph is a closeup of the flower. The 2nd photograph shows how they grow in clusters and the 3rd one is how uniquely they grow on the stem.
Have you ever seen a Water-Willow? So pretty and unique, don’t you think?
I’ve seen a lot of Climbing Nightshade, also known as Bittersweet Nightshade, wildflowers along the trails on Cape Cod. I took this photograph at Fort Hill down by the marsh although you can see them all along the trails.
Climbing Nightshade wildflowers are a climbing vine with 1/2″ violet flowers swept back from a yellow central “beak” in loose clusters. It forms egg-shaped shiny green berries which turn to bright red in late summer.
I saw this blue dragonfly, which I thought was a Northern Bluet dragonfly, on a branch by the boardwalk at Fort Hill. It looked so pretty, I clicked away.
When I got home I noticed there as another dragonfly attached to it on the underside. Hmmm… Does anyone know why? Are they mating? I did some research but couldn’t find any answers.
Update: It is Blue Dasher Dragonfly and yes, they are mating. Thank You!!
The Milkweed plants, which the Monarchs love to feed on and lay their eggs on, are plentiful here on Cape Cod. Fort Hill is especially prolific this summer. (Click on blog link to see other photos.)
The first photograph is of the Milkweed flower. The 2nd one is of the fields of Milkweed plants at Fort Hill that attract the Monarchs.
The last photograph is of the Milkweed pod, when they have gone by in the fall. The pod will open up and disperse thousands of seeds in the wind and land where a new Milkweed plant will grow next summer.
The Monarch butterflies are back on Cape Cod and they are gorgeous! It is so beautiful to see their bright orange color flitting from flower to flower in the meadows or yards. I have seen so many at Fort Hill feeding on the Milkweed and in our yard feeding on the Butterfly Plants.
I took this photograph as the Monarch was feeding on the Milkweed plant at Fort Hill. So pretty, don’t you think?
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
