As the trees leaf out and the Virginia bluebells and celandine poppies of the woodlands mature, the glades and prairie come alive. The “best show in the house” this month is in the glades, where plants rush to flower and set seed before summer conditions impose drought stress. From the Maritz Trail House take a short walk to enjoy the spectacular display of the Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) interspersed with blue false indigo (Baptisia minor) and lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata). Later this month look for a sea of purple glade coneflower (Echinacea simulata) dotted with the 4-inch yellow flowers of the Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa). A stroll to the wetlands will reward you with patches of southern blue flag iris at the water’s edge and tuberous water lilies on the water’s surface.
While enjoying the wildflower show, don’t forget to look up! Birds are everywhere at the Reserve…some preparing to take up summer residency and others migrating through to northern nesting grounds. It’s hard to miss the eastern bluebirds and red-headed woodpeckers in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden. Joining the belted kingfisher and the great blue herons, the male red-winged blackbirds are arriving at the wetlands to establish their territories.
Are you having trouble identifying the wildflowers and birds you’re seeing? The Visitor Center book store has many excellent field guides to assist you.
Shop for native plants that attract birds and pollinators at the Spring Wildflower Sale on Saturday, May 12 and create a natural habitat in your own backyard. Learn more at our Native Plant School classes, including Gardening for Wildlife and People on either Thursday, May 17 or Saturday, May 19.
Gather the family and a picnic lunch and spend the day exploring the 14 miles of hiking trails. Pick up a Forest Activity Guide from the Visitor Center and learn about the woodlands of the Reserve. Families with young children won’t want to miss the Nature Explore Classroom with its crawl-through logs and building area. And, it’s not too late to enter our Take a Shot! Youth Photo Contest.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons this month (weather permitting) the Wilderness Wagon will depart the Visitor Center on the hour at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. The narrated wagon ride travels the 3-mile Trail House Loop Road, with stops at the Trail House and Wetland Trail. It’s a great way to shorten the hike to the river or to the wetlands if you have small children or non-hikers in your group. Get off at either stop and get picked up later!