Friday, May 29, 2009

Fetterbush

We first looked at Fetterbush about a month ago with photos taken on April 20.

Here's shot from May 15...



...and one a week later.


I have had the intent all along to capture each species through all the seasons. Of course, having intent ain't exactly the same thing as getting it done. :-) But, by simply delving in, I am gaining experience.

For example, I used to think along the lines of a shot for each season. Well, that doesn't really cover the leafing out nor does it get through the flowering. I feel it comes down to the intimate knowledge of each individual species and when it does most of its dances. Some flower before leafing, others after. Some buds pop early while others have only recently unfolded. At this time, I'd have to try hard to document what I know but I do feel like the knowledge is now a part of me because I learned it hands on. I'd like to think that early next spring, I will have an intuition to be watching the right species at the right time for first stirrings.

All the shots in this post come from the same location. It's probably my favorite spot for lots of species but most of all for the beautiful birches. I'm working through some past shots for a little birch tribute, so until then, here are a couple of shoreline views from my fave spot.







3 comments:

  1. That fetterbush is very cool- we definitely do not have them this far north. Isn't it amazing how much one can see from one spot? It's all about "deep seeing" as someone I know once termed it. Love the tack sharp contrast of the reflection in the second to the last pic- do you know what it is? I'm guessing it might be early pickerel weed?
    ~gretchen

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  2. Gretchen, I was trying to slip it in without an ID. Busted! :-) After poking around here, I think it might be a loosetrife, and if so, probably purple. It's a bit tough to ID solely by leaves as its purple flowering gets top billing. You know how it is...

    I'm hoping to get out tomorrow for another look. If I remember well, this stuff is growing widely and it was rather unique to find isolated specimens. That is, if I indeed remember correctly... I want/need a voice recorder with Dragon for field notes...

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  3. I did some checking today and although I'm not sure yet, I think that species is actually a shoreline bush, rather than an aquatic plant. The water level has gone down considerably, leaving some branching that was probably underwater and in essence tying all those stalks together. More later as I compare photos and try out some bush species research.

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