A host of the early spring flowers were in bloom at the Nature Center today. Blood Root was poking through the leaves by the river, and although I didn't go to check, the Colt's Foot was undoubtedly up by the Stump Dump Road. The last wildflower I encountered, and my favorite of the bunch, is the February Daphne. It's fragrance is so strong that you can smell the sweet aroma from feet away. The overpowering odor would do well to reverse the smell of two cats in my apartment, but I'd think twice before yanking this shrub out of the ground. The leaves of the plant, which are barely opening when it's pink flowers first go into bloom, are poisonous to the touch and can cause irritation and blisters. Eating its berries can result in death.
The succession of wet and warm weather last week was good for more than just the wildflowers. A loud chorus of Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs rang from the beaver ponds, getting especially noisy towards the early evening. This is early spring at its best!
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