It is the season for the Canada Mayflower to bloom on Cape Cod. I have seen it on many of the trails in the past few days. If you hike Fort Hill, you can see it on the sides of the boardwalk. It is so pretty and delicate. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
Canada Mayflower is a small woodland plant, only growing 3′ – 6″ in May and June. Its 1/4″ flowers look like miniature bottle brushes next to bright shiny leaves.
When the Mayflower blooms, you know that summer is right around the corner! Have you ever seen one this year?
I saw a tiny little flurry in the wind and thought perhaps it was a butterfly. I watched it land on one of the flowers of a nearby shrub. It was so tiny… not much bigger than my little fingernail. I got a couple of photos and then it flew away. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
As I was walking down the road I saw a little flurry again and wondered if it was that little butterfly again. And then … it landed on my jeans. I slowly got my camera out and clicked once and then it flew away again.
I had never seen a Common Spring Moth before, have you?
I was on my way home from a walk to Rock Harbor when I stopped at the bridge over the salt marsh. Looking over I saw a terrapin swimming nearby. By the time I got my camera out, it had dived under the water. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
I ran to the other side of the bridge to see if it might come out on that side and there was another terrapin swimming in the creek. I clicked away, not knowing what kind of terrapin it was. And then he looked up at me. How cute is that?
In doing some research, I found that it was a Diamondback Terrapin, which is an endangered species. Each year in June and July, these female terrapins come on land and lay their eggs in sandy patches above the high tide line. I wonder if she was on her way looking for a place to lay her eggs?
I also learned that a terrapin is one of several species of turtle living in fresh or brackish water.
The Nauset Marsh Trail is so pretty, any time of the day, any day of the year. There is a little pool midway on the hike which is right next to Nauset Marsh. I loved the reflection in the water.
If you look very closely along the trails at Fort Hill, you will see this tiny, little white wildflower among the tall grasses on the side of the trail. It is smaller than a dime and very easy to miss. And then, if you get very close to it, you will see its delicate beauty… those pink stamens are just exquisite!
I think it is one of the prettiest wildflowers that I’ve seen. What do you think?
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
