Turkeys and mushrooms and rain, oh my!

It’s turkey season, and the toms are gobbling and strutting, trying to impress the hens (watch). For the most part, it seems the ones I see and hear are not very successful, as not many hens are to be seen, except for occasional visits by the big tom and his flock. They stay in the meadow, too far away for a good photo. These two toms hang out together and gobble loudly from my driveway. This morning there was a single hen, but she left without them.

The April rains have continued, and I walked early today to avoid the forecasted downpours (happening now—I hope it lets up before feeding time!).

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The rain has brought mushrooms. When I tried to identify these, I found that the spongy-looking ones are (I think ) Morels (Morchella esculenta), and the other is a Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus). The web says both types are edible, but not by this blogger! 🙂

Morel (Morchella esculenta)

Morel (Morchella esculenta)

More trees and wildflowers are in bloom. I am happy to see blossoms on the blueberries and apple trees in the orchard and the pawpaw trees in the meadow. The Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus), or Sweetshrub, near the house always reminds me of Tuscaloosa and my friend Louise who gave me a little sprout from the one by her house to plant here when I moved.

Blueberry

Pawpaw bud and blossom

Carolina Allspice

I like seeing Carolina vetch (Vicia caroliniana), star chickweed (Stellaria pubera), and purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) on my rambles, but I know they are invasive, like so many other plants and trees in the Hollow.

I have a shady bank near my driveway that is not as dry as most of my property. I noticed the wild geraniums (Geranium maculatum) and ferns the first spring I lived here, and I have added more ferns and other native wildflowers, like this Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia).

Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

The rain has stopped, and the wind is blowing in colder temperatures. The deer (and turkeys) have been fed, and the cats are telling me it’s their turn, so I guess it’s time to end this post.

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