A Walk in the Woods: Spring Flowers

Paul and I took a day off last week.

We decided to lace up our walking shoes, escape reality

and take a day trip to Nerstrand-Big Woods, one of our favorite state parks located an hour south of us.

On a mission to find spring flowers, we covered the trails in the southern portion of the park before our picnic lunch

and a portion of the northern side of the park after we ate.

When the leaves just start to come out on the trees, certain spring flowers blossom before shade dominates their world.

We found Large-Flowered Bellwort

Spring Beauty

Marsh Marigold

Wood Anemone

 Jack-In-The-Pulpit

Wild Geranium

Bloodroot

Wild Ginger

and Early Meadow Rue.

However, the main reason for our hike that day was to see the blossoming White Trout Lily. These plants grow in colonies and carpet the forest floor throughout the park in the early spring.

We have been visiting this park for thirty years and this is our first time to see these flowers in full bloom.

There were spots along our hike where we stopped in complete awe. I love these moments in life!

Each stalk produces a single hanging white flower. We very carefully lifted one to admire the blossom.

In a month, one will be unaware these beautiful flowers exist in this park.

We love Minnesota!

Great photography, Paul!