Tag Archives: Cape Cod Wildflowers

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Smooth Sumac Along The Trails On Cape Cod.

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I’ve seen so many of these red berry bushes on the trails and wondered what they are. In doing some research, I learned they are called Smooth Sumac. (Click on blog link for other photo.)

This particular Sumac is called Smooth Sumac, which is not poisonous,  and grows  from  8 to 15 feet tall.  It provides winter food for hundreds of bird species and nectar for pollinators.  An interesting fact is that you can also soak the red berries in cold water to make a tart, vitamin-C-rich drink.

Have you seen any of these Smooth Sumac bushes along the trails?

Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildflowers

A Beautiful Tribute Flower On Cape Cod.

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When my sister passed away in late summer of 2019, I wanted to plant a flower as a tribute to her. My only criteria was that it be a pretty flower that bloomed in late summer and early fall. (Click on blog link for other photo.)

I went looking and found the Japanese Anemone. I knew nothing about it, other than it was very pretty and I love pink.
So, I planted one plant (6” pot) at the corner of my driveway. As the years have gone by, my Japanese Anemone has grown quite large and quite beautiful!

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography

Huge European Hornet In Our Yard On Cape Co

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We were sitting on our deck yesterday afternoon, enjoying the beautiful weather, when this huge insect flew in and landed on the butterfly plant near us. I had no idea what it was, so I took a lot of photos and then did some research. (Click on blog link for other photo.)

This European Hornet is a large, eusocial wasp native to Europe and Asia and the only true hornet species found in North America. It was quite large… at least 1.5-2 inches in length with a reddish-brown head and thorax and a yellow-and-brown striped abdomen featuring dark markings. Its 2 antennae were easily .5 inches each. Yikes! They were huge! Their smooth stingers allow them to sting multiple times.

The good news was that they are not aggressive. Unlike other insects,  the European Hornet is carnivorous, feasting on other insects. It is also nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. Wow! I’d never seen one of these before. Have you?

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Beautiful View Looking Out On Nauset Marsh On Cape Cod.

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The view of Nauset Marsh from Coast Guard Station was just spectacular with the beautiful clouds dotting the sky. You can see the red rosehip berries that are from the pretty pink Wild Rose wildflowers. Such a pretty time of the year…

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Blue Chicory Wildflowers Are Blooming All Over Cape Cod.

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You can still see the beautiful deep Blue Chicory wildflowers blooming along the roads,  trails and out in the meadows all over Cape Cod.  A couple of interesting facts: The stemless flowers grow right on the stalk and each flower lasts only one day. I love the delicate stamen and pistils in the center.

Blue Chicory blooms through October so you still have time to see it.

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Butter And Eggs Wildflowers Blooming At Fort Hill On Cape Cod.

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I was so surprised to see so many Butter and Eggs wildflowers blooming at Fort Hill. It was a surprise splash of yellow dotting the meadows! (Click on blog link for close-up photo.)

How pretty! Have you been to Fort Hill lately?

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Butterflies, Cape Cod Hiking, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails

Five Orange And Black Pearl Crescent Butterflies Feeding On The Golden Rod On Cape Cod.

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We were taking a walk from Doane Rock to Coast Guard Beach when we saw all this flurry on the side of the trail. There, on the bright yellow Golden Rod wildflower, were 5 Pearl Crescent butterflies feeding on the flower. They were just beautiful!

“Its name comes from a tiny, pearly-white crescent mark inside a dark marginal patch on the underside of each hindwing.”

Have you ever seen that many butterflies on one flower?

Cape Cod Beaches, Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod News, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Trails, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Trail Over The Dunes At First Encounter Beach On Cape Cod.

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There are three small dunes at First Encounter Beach which keep getting revived year after year. It doesn’t seem like quite the right place for a dune… but, they are there. This was such a pretty view of the trail with the fence and flowers in the foreground. What do you think?

 

Cape Cod Blog, Cape Cod Photography, Cape Cod Wildflowers

Unique Indian Pipe Wildflowers Are Blooming On Cape Cod.

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The Indian Pipe wildflowers are blooming and gorgeous here on Cape Cod. Lacking chlorophyll which results in being totally white, they are a very unique wildflower. I’ve seen many of them over the years growing in our wooded yard.

“The entire plant is a translucent, “ghostly” white, sometimes pale pinkish-white and commonly has black flecks. The leaves are scale-like and flecked with black on the flower stalk. As the Latin epithet uniflora implies, the stem bears a single flower. Upon emerging from the ground, the flower is pendant (downwardly pointed).”

Have you ever seen an Indian Pipe wildflower?