A Short Walk at Charleston Falls, May 17, 2015

The Black Locust trees at Charleston Falls (and throughout the Miami Valley) are in full bloom.  They were the first thing I  noticed when Tom dropped me off in the parking lot.  He said he'd be back after he bought a decaf coffee at a McDonald's about fifteen minutes away.

The day was overcast but I decided to be optimistic.  I left my water resistant jacket in the van and wore my lightweight hoodie.

Black Locust bloom...(Robinia pseudo-acacia)

After taking this photo, I glanced down and saw this.

A Yellow Goatsbeard (Tragopogon pratensis)

They remind me of a dandelion because of their color.  Their "fruit" is a bit like that of a dandelion but much bigger and with a more intricate pattern.  The insect reminds me of a bee but it might be a fly.  There are bee mimics in the fly family.

(June7, 2015  Here is the seedhead taken by Tom.)

I headed down the trail to the falls.  Now and then I felt a drop or two of rain.  I probably should have worn that jacket.

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens)

The Jack-in-the-pulpits were still looking fresh but the Mayapple flowers were fading.  Some had dropped their petals.  I probably will see the fruits (green apples) forming next Saturday.

False Solomon's Seal (also called Wild Spikenard or Showy Solomon's Seal)  Smilacina racemosa)

I was pleased to see this patch of False Solomon's Seal.  One of these flowers blooming by itself does not attract walkers but a patch of them is noticeable.

Close up of flowers

I decided to walk down into the ravine because flowers often bloom there before they bloom on the higher ridges.  The sound of the water pouring over the ledge was soft and calming.  I stopped to enjoy it.

Suddenly I was in a deluge.  I backtracked quickly, hoping Tom was back from his coffee run.  

I stopped long enough to get this photo at the top of the trail. The little spots are raindrops.

I am thankful I now have an Olympus Tough camera.  Among its admirable qualities is being waterproof to 33 feet beneath the water.

Five minutes later I was halfway to the parking lot and the rain had slowed, enough to get this photo of a Waterleaf.  I'll have to come back when the flower is out to identify it more precisely.

Waterleaf (Hydropphyllum)

The flower buds are still in a tight ball.
.

As I knelt down looking at the Waterleaf, I noticed these stems among the Wild Leek or Ramps

 (Allium tricoccum) leaves.  Are they the stems for the Wild Leek Flowers that bloom when the leaves have disappeared???