Tag Archives: Fort Hill

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Purple Climbing Nightshade Wildflower At Fort Hill On Cape Cod

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The Climbing Nightshade wildflowers, also known as Bittersweet Nightshade,  are just beautiful at Fort Hill in Eastham on Cape Cod. You can see them on the trail near the Cutting Rock or on the trail leading up to the overlook parking lot.

Climbing Nightshade wildflowers are a climbing vine with purple shooting star-shaped flowers of about 1/2″ which grow in clusters at the ends of long stems. Their petals are swept back from a yellow central “beak.”

One of my friends just commented that these plants are extremely toxic. I did some research on the internet and learned:

“The foliage is toxic to many people and should be handled with care. The fruit is said to also be toxic, particularly to children.”

Be careful and not touch this wildflower!

Thanks, Mike, for the “heads up!”

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod Photography

American Copper Butterfly At Fort Hill On Cape Cod

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I almost missed this  little American Copper butterfly at Fort Hill on Cape Cod. He was pretty camouflaged until he opened his wings for a second and I saw the beautiful orange color and black spots.

American Copper butterflies are small, only about 1″ with orange forewings and about 8 black dots and a black outer edge. When their wings are closed up, they look light grey with fine black dots and blend in very nicely .

Have you ever seen an American Copper butterfly?

The American Copper is one of Massachusetts more common butterflies. During the height of its flight periods it can be found in almost all areas of the state.

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Pretty Yellow Mouse-Ear Hawkweed Wildflowers On Cape Cod

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These yellow Mouse-Ear wildflowers are growing everywhere here on Cape Cod. They are really pretty and seem to grow like fields of flowers.

I saw many of them on the trails at Fort Hill in Eastham on Cape Cod. I loved this macro where you can see the center of the flower.

What do you think?

Mouse-Ear Hawkweed is the only one of the Hawkweeds which a mere amateur has any chance of identifying it. Hawkweed is used in sunscreen lotions.

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod Photography

Common Wood Nymph Butterfly At Fort Hill On Cape Cod

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I chased this little Common Wood Nymph butterfly around at Fort Hill before he alighted on a leaf and I could take a photograph. I had not seen one here on Cape Cod before.

Common Wood Nymphs are dark brown with a prominent yellow patch on their forewings and 2 black eyespots above and below.

Very pretty little butterfly, don’t you think?

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography

Red Maple Swamp Trail At Fort Hill On Cape Cod Is All Open

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Part of the Red Maple Swamp Trail at Fort Hill in Eastham on Cape Cod has been closed for years, needing many repairs. Well, the repairs to that part are completed and the whole trail is open again!

Next time you are on Cape Cod, put it on your list of To-Do’s. It is so much fun for the whole family!