A trishaw ride on the MRG this morning revealed an interesting phenomenon: many spring wild flowers are yellow! Thanks to Google, we now know that early pollinators are often flies with limited color perception. It is theorized that Spring pollinators are attracted to the contrast of white and yellow amid the dark greens.
Eastern Carpenter Bee on Dandelion
Native Golden Alexander
Greater Celandine, a non-native wildflower
Early blooming Coltsfoot
Most Coltsfoot has now gone to seed.
Apple Blossoms
Jack-in-the-Pulpit . . . or is it Jill? Did you know that Jack-in-the-Pulpits can morph into Jill?
Chokecherry
Birds such as robins, thrushes, and jays are attracted to the berries that come later in the season. Bears, raccoons, chipmunks, and squirrels also consume the berries, but they are lethal to horses.
We saw honeysuckle, fiddlehead ferns, wild strawberry in flower, white and purple violets, purple flowering ground ivy, and much more. Birds were calling and a turtle on a log in a small pond behind the Miracle Mile was basking in the sun. Who would guess that this natural beauty was thriving behind that parking lot??? We spotted a goose couple on the bank of the river with their little goslings.
Many thanks to Trishaw pilot John Newman for a wonderful, uplifting ride and for all these great photos. How many different flowers can you find on the MRG this week?
For Info on scheduling a Trishaw ride on the Mascoma River Greenway or Norther Rail Trail in Lebanon or onbecoming a volunteer pilot check out this link
The Mascoma River Greenway 