Northwood Park New Hope

Is it safe to come out yet?

2017-02-18T15:45:00.000-06:00

Along the forest floor, bits of green are starting to show. Warm weather has melted nearly all of the snow and the ice is losing resistance.

Still ... we are in Minnesota. What say you, will March come in like a lion? At least one walker at the park agrees.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

After the first snow storm

2016-11-19T20:03:00.002-06:00

Yesterday started with rain and ended with cold winds and snow cover. The temperatures have dropped. The late sun this afternoon had some melting effect and cleared some of the paths. Snow clung to much of the foliage still. But tender colors can still be found.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Marsh road paved!

2016-11-17T17:05:00.000-06:00

The path along the creek and the marsh road are finally open!

The gravel is gone and the road is paved. This will be primarily for bicycles.

Late as it is in November, there are still late bloomers and color.

Even active fish flash a little orange.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Signs of Fall at the Gardens

2016-09-30T18:46:00.000-05:00

The park is still under construction, with many parts not accessible yet.

Meanwhile at Eloise Butler Wildflower Gardens... Fall is starting to show herself.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

"Bee"zy Place!

2016-09-15T12:58:00.001-05:00

The Bassett Creek Regional Trail Extension project has closed more of the park down, including both bridges. This has not stopped the other busy workers at the park.

From bees to ambush bugs, the park it quite the busy place.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Weaver's Romance

2016-08-17T12:02:00.000-05:00

Weavers took advantage of a windless night. The morning dew approved their work with wet kisses. Then a gentle sun-warmed breeze blew the kisses away.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Summer Tiaras

2016-08-04T13:36:00.000-05:00

Summer is at full height. Early morning provided for several golden moments.

Morning dew provided for lovely sunlit tiaras.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Honey, I lost the moon!

2016-07-25T11:56:00.000-05:00

After seeing the gorgeous moon just before 10:45 on Friday, I decided I would schedule some late night outdoor time just to capture the moon. So I went out at 10:45 last night. No moon! I called my husband and told him that somehow I had lost the moon. He couldn't see it either. Then I remembered, just as the sunrise time changes from day to day, so does the moon rise. I found a calculator to help me for next time. I stuck it out and waited. Around 11:45 signs were beginning to appear.

And details were beginning to show as the moon rose above the tree line.

She did not disappoint. A waning gibbous 77% illuminated.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Inky Caps - the melting mushroom

2016-07-22T13:59:00.001-05:00

Discovered an unusual kind of mushroom at Bassette Creek Park earlier this week. This mushroom cap is paper thin, like a flower petal. A large crop had come up along the shady forest path. The underside was already starting to darken for some.

I thought nothing of it, but thought I might try to return for more photos. They were all melted to little stem stubs. These are a variety of 'inky cap' mushrooms. The gills liquefy and melt away.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Dragons at Bassett Creek

2016-07-18T15:24:00.000-05:00

Dragonflies are ancient. Scientists say they predate dinosaurs! The above photo almost looks like a fossil or maybe a cave painting, but it is just shadow and motion blur that give the effect.

I spent the morning capturing dragonflies at Bassett Creek Park in Crystal Minnesota. Lots of Ebony Jewelwings were out. They seem to have an uncanny ability to know when you are looking at them and turn to face you to hide their wings.

There were plenty of other more common dragonflies there too: Like Twelve-spotted Skimmers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Messy Spring Project

2016-05-19T15:24:00.000-05:00

There has been a whole lot of dirt moving around at the park. Most for the city improvements, but nature too has her share of mud-moving jobs. Barn swallows have home building project in progress at the pavilion.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Meanwhile in the forest ...

2016-05-17T15:13:00.000-05:00

The forest is full of fresh blooms. Drooping Trillium are opening along the hillside. As are Lilly of the Valley. And just behind the brush of the marsh road a big bed of bugleweed have invaded and are blooming as well.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Ostriches Starting to Strut

2016-05-07T09:35:00.002-05:00

A large patch of Ostrich fern bordering the marsh road pond have been busy unfurling over the past couple days. (Located on the eastern border of the pond.)

Enjoy!

~ Robin

The Bumble Bee Express

2016-05-06T10:56:00.000-05:00

The park is a busy place right now. The road is anything but express as the construction workers are busy digging and moving dirt. One place where there is no transportation issue is among the flowers. At first glance, it looks like this bumble bee is being hurt by, or at the least annoyed by its passengers (bee mites), but a little internet digging told they are harmless and more interested in a ride to the next flower.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Study of Sumac Buds

2016-04-29T14:57:00.000-05:00

One of the perks of taking photos is that sometimes you can see more in the photo than initially with your naked eye.

Sumac buds first appear as fuzzy nubs. But as they open, from the fuzz something beautiful emerges.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

More Spring Arrivals

2016-04-23T17:18:00.000-05:00

Jack-in-the-pulpits are starting to come up. Large-flowered Bellwort are coming up too. The flower will droop downward once the flower opens.

Found a couple of Six Spotted Tiger Beetles playing along the marsh road.

But also an invader is starting to blossom. Pretty as the Garlic Mustard is, it spreads easy and can take over areas quickly. I've read they are edible!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Northwood's Early Spring Wildflowers

2016-04-21T12:06:00.000-05:00

Wood Anemone are just starting to open on the forest hillside area. The Rue Anemone are opening nicely and easily seen from the paths there.

And Little Leaf Buttercup can be found in a shady part along the marsh road.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Meanwhile at Eloise Butler's Garden ...

2016-04-17T22:51:00.000-05:00

A great horned owl chick was recently discovered day-napping at the Eloise Butler's Wildflower Garden. Plenty of the spring wildflowers have shown themselves as well. Among which include Dutchman's Breeches ,

Marsh Marigolds ,

Wild Ginger

And a couple varieties of Trout Lilies.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Spring Signs Abundant Now

2016-04-14T22:33:00.000-05:00

Signs of spring are abundant now. Geese are nesting, violets and ground ivy are scattering hints of purple, turtles are coming out bask and muskrats are flirting.

Yes, spring is definitely in the air.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Spring Birds

2016-04-06T12:47:00.000-05:00

Several spring birds are active at the park now. American Robin, Red-Wing Blackbird, Hooded Merganser ducks and Wood ducks among them. They seem to be enjoying the park in spite of the construction. ;-)

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Showy Bush Buds

2016-03-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

Several bushes are beginning to form leaves and bud. Red-berried Elder and Wayfaring Tree have a couple of the early showy buds.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Birds Out to Play

2016-03-28T16:05:00.000-05:00

American Robin's can be found foraging along the marsh road. White-breasted Nuthatches and Black-capped Chickadees have been playing there as well.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Carpet Cover

2016-03-26T22:38:00.000-05:00

Tiny green beginnings are starting to carpet the forested areas of the park.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Park Changes!

2016-03-22T19:13:00.001-05:00

The playground equipment is gone at the park and so are many of the trees. The city posted this on Nextdoor:

"The northwest corner of Northwood Park will close on Wednesday, March 16, and remain closed throughout the spring and summer of 2016. The portion of the park involved in the closure is on the west side of Boone Avenue, from the entrance to the playground parking lot north to Ensign Avenue and west to Northwood Lake. The park is being closed due to construction of storm water improvements, the installation of new play equipment, trail improvements, and other improvements in Northwood Park."

Though much of the park is under heavy construction, there is still much that is not, and construction can not stop spring!

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Green is Showing!

2016-03-09T10:21:00.001-06:00

The warmer March temperatures are melting the small side pond along the marsh road and showing a little cattail green to come. Green is making it's way through the drab forest floor and patches of moss are flourishing.

Enjoy!

~ Robin