The forest floor in Bilberry Creek ravine still looks barren and sere. It will take awhile for it to be populated by the usual bracken, and for the succession of wildflowers to make their full presence. Just as it will take a bit more time for all the deciduous trees in the ravine to be fully leafed-out and the forest canopy take on its protective, shaded-from-the-sun appearance. Meanwhile, the spring-strengthening sun is easily able to penetrate onto the forest floor. And its warmth is regenerating new life, just as the spring-warmer atmosphere and ongoing spring rain have done since time began.

A succession of avian migrants have come and gone in the ravine and to our feeders; they stay awhile, rest from their long journey back north from the southern climes where they take winter shelter, and then they're off again to continue their journey to reach their summertime destinations. We usually see pairs of ducks and at least a great blue heron stopping by for a courtesy visit every spring, though we haven't, yet this spring.  You've got to be in the right place at the right time.

In the meanwhile, we can see daily changes in the botanical specimens that are arousing themselves from their long winter sleep. Of course no spring would be complete without the appearance of dandelions, dreaded by gardeners, valued by natural food harvesters, and popping up right now in colonies, one of which is right at the entrance to the ravine.

Coltsfoot

If it weren't for the vast difference in their foliage, coltsfoot, which has begun to spread its presence in the ravine, would be taken for dandelions, their flower heads very similar, but their stems and foliage distinctively different.

Baneberry

Larger clumps of violets are now visibly rising in robust presence at the edges of the interweaving trails. They will have tiny yellow flowers, slightly larger pale mauve, and darker, larger mauve, as well as middling-to-larger size white flowers, a proud array of woodland flowers. Also thrusting itself out of the warming soil is baneberry, though it will take awhile for it to begin blooming, and a while longer for its bright red and poisonous berries to develop.

Lilies-of-the-Valley

Strawberry plants are beginning to surface, and stalks of blackberry and raspberry have begun the process of fruit-bearing; foliage first, then flowers and eventually the berries. Thimbleberries have not yet made their appearance but they will eventually, to bear their raspberry-like fruit looking like little hats that fit neatly on anyone's thumb.

The trilliums are beginning to seriously consider flaunting their showy purple heads that nod in any breeze, but always turned downward. In good time we'll see if we can hunt down white trilliums where they tend to grow in more isolated areas, not easily seen, on the sides of the hills. I'd like to transplant one or two to our garden at home. As I did many years ago with the purple trilliums and Jack-in-the-box and foamflower.

The trilliums are now triumphantly in bloom, their lovely little heads echoing the sun. And now, for the first time, we noted yesterday that lilies-of-the-valley have arisen, though their blossoming bells will be a bit tardy in appearance.