This is its fairy stage.

The petals have opened, but it still seems to have a bit more time before it fully opens.

It’s what they do best! Besides controlling ants.

It’s what they do *second* best!

Did she dazzle?

A northern flicker perched in a sumac tree.

Please look at her. #birds

The leaves of a red trillium blending with the skunk cabbage and being hidden under a large leaf.

This trillium has yet to ever bloom. It hides under the leaves of the same skunk cabbage every year and it’s an exciting scavenger hunt to recall its precise location and try to find it again. #nativeplants

Ostrich fern current status.

(The swamp enjoys messing with foragers quite a bit.)

First jack-in-the-pulpit of spring!

Ohhhhhhhhhhh #nativeplants

The swamp’s bear family: Mom and two cubs standing bipedally in the woods. One of the cubs you can’t see very well.

Pro landscaping tips: if you use skunk cabbage as a lawn alternative, you’ll get adorable baby cubs!! 🖤 #gonative #wildlife

Lysichiton americanus, Western skunk cabbage. A large yellow bract surrounds the unopened flower, and is backlit by the sun.

Lysichiton americanus, Western skunk cabbage. (OMG)

Truly gorgeous! It even has its own species-appropriate pollinators hanging around! Adorable. 🖤

Yes! The secret is to get a glacial lake, let it sit for a few thousand years, and then MELT IT!

The brown thrasher at some point learned wood thrush and it is completely maddening.

A skunk cabbage with enormous leaves towering over two spathes that are completely thrilled with themselves.

This is your god now.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

Taking over the whole entire forest! The swamp never jokes! #lifegoals

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

Not getting carried away, nope, never.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

The great skunk cabbage takeover.

Have a look at that lawn! #nativeplants #skunkcabbage #wetlands

Two red trilliums back to back.

Red trillium

Red trillium

Red trillium

Red trillium

They may seem common now but they're being greatly threatened by human disturbance and habitat destruction, deer overpopulation, and displacement from invasive species. Nearly extinct in Rhode Island.

one more ⬇️

Red trillium

Two partially opened buds of red trillium.

Red trillium

Two red trilliums nodding symmetrically side by side. A third one is in the back only partially visible.

Know what, how about a red trillium thread? Can't decide which one to share, all red trilliums are perfect.

Please block this account if you hate red trillium.

Please don't pick or disturb these. They take 7-10 years to mature. Plus they smell like roadkill. #bloomscrolling #nativeplants

more ⬇️

Green leaves mottled with purple pokes out of the leaf litter.

Trout lily current status. #bloomscrolling #nativeplants

It is! 🖤

They also smell like death!

It will not give you a rash but it will let its discontent be known of one tries to eat it. Fortunately though, human folk have an abundance of alternative food options and have no need to consume a wild plant that takes almost a decade to reach maturity.

Yessssss!!! Nice work, skunk cabbages! Conquer all! They are unstoppable! (except by knotweed)

There are so many of them this year! Love it when they show off how well they can transition from high notes straight down to the low notes.

Merlin app screenshot with spectrogram, birds listed below with photos to match. The kinglets has a popup gif under it describing the bird. Text reads: “April 19 • Toronto, ON Downy Woodpecker Ruby-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglets look like they've had one too many shots of caffeine. Look for a tiny bird flitting around, nervously flicking its wings. American Robin”

Merlin app with the BEST description of ruby-crowned kinglet behaviour. And yes, they are jittering all around the treetops in Trinity Bellwoods Park, singing their high-pitched, bubbly bursts of song.
If you’re in Toronto & you’re able, go out and stand under trees, it’s a great time for kinglets.

One of my favorite birds finally came low enough for a set of bright clear photos

Blue Headed Vireo, The Pool, Central Park #birds

But wait, that can’t be, it’s not a clone of a dull ornamental from Eurasia that literally everyone has.

Swamp scenery featuring a colony of skunk cabbage, yellow blooming flowers of marsh marigold, and reflections in a puddle that hasn't evaporated yet.

So? How do you like the new marigolds? #bloomscrolling #nativeplants #wetlands

Three red trilliums growing together in a perfect circle.

It’s a tri-trillium! #bloomscrolling #nativeplants

A Tiktok video with barred owls has set off the swamp owls.

“Intruder! This is our territory! Vacate at once or off with your head!”

What utter disrespect! They leave their vomit everywhere and now this? Do they have any idea who they’re talking to?! Be careful what you wish for, owls!