A Long Quest for a Lily

Hello friends. I apologize for the time span between posts, but I have been busy shooting and dealing with other needs. However, on this occasion, I must post a few pics, plus some history.

About 25 years ago, while I was working as a VIP for the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was told of a rare lily that was found in Virginia along the parkway. It is called a Gray's Lily (Lilium grayi). This rare lily is seldom seen outside of an area in the high mountain balds and pastures in North Carolina. It is found on occasion in other areas, but not very far from these high balds. This sighting was quite a bit north on the normal range for this wildflower. I went to where it was sighted, but could not find it. I decided that day, 25 years or so ago, that I would find the Gray's Lily in Virginia. I have been looking since, some times more intensely than others.

The other night, I received a call from a friend. He informed me that he had found what he thought was a Gray's Lily along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. He was not positive that it was a Gray's Lily, and asked if I could check it out and photograph it. I set out the next morning, and found it right where he said it would be. Sure enough, there it stood. Not one, but two (as best I could tell) Gray's Lily plants. The blooms where already starting to wither away, but I had waited 25 years to see this wildflower in Virginia, so I photographed it anyway. Even past its prime, it was a beautiful site. This endangered wildflower was right in front of me and my camera. It was a marked end to a long quest. Hopefully, it will return next year, and maybe spawn a few more plants. This beautiful flower is one that everyone should see.

I will not reveal the location of this wildflower to protect it.

Here it is. The Gray's Lily (Lilium grayi). It is past its bloom prime, but it is still beautiful to me.

The Gray's Lily (Lilium grayi), with a darker background.

I Haven't Been Goofing Off

My apologies for the break in posting. I have been shooting frequently, and working on many other projects, as well as working at the house and building a new wildflower garden. So, now I am trying to catch up, and post some of the images that I captured in the past month. These images were taken between May 17, 2009 and May 21, 2009. Theye were shot in Roanoke County, Franklin County, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This wildflower is Mayweed (Athemis cotula). It is relatively easy to find growing in fields and unmaintained tracts of land.

This wildflower is Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta). It is moderately easy to find along roadsides.

This wildflower is Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus). It is similar to Daisy Fleabane, but this variety has finer petals that are several layers deep.

This wildflower is the OxEye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). It looks like Mayweed, but the petals are more overlapped and several layers deep.

This wildflower is Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia L). It is considered and invasive species, but it does a great job of ground cover and erosion control.

This wildflower is Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus).

This wildflower is Bowman's Root (Gillenia trifoliata). It is also known as Indian Physic and Fawn's Breath. It is commonly found on moist hillsides and on the edges of forested land.

This wildflower is Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). It is also known as Spoonwood. It is common in this area along wooded breaks.

Another image of Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus). I find this wildflower extremely interesting and very photogenic
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This wildflower is Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). It is easily identifed by the large star amongst the white petals
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This wildflower is Indian Strawberry (Duchesnea indica). It is very similar to the Wild Strawberry above, except the large star is amongst the yellow petals.

This wildflower is Common Speedwell (Veronica officinalis). It is dry fields and open woods. The blooms are very small, and look similar to Corn Speedwell.

This wildflower is Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris). It is found growing in fields and on roadsides.

This wildflower is Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum). I do not see them often, but when I do, they are in large clusters of plants.

Franklin County Wildflower Trip

I made another trip to Franklin County to check on the wildflowers in bloom, and I was not disappointed. These wildflowers are located on a friends property outside of Boones Mill, and it is always a joy to walk around and photograph the area. This time, we were being closely watched by a Flying Squirrel that had taken up residence in a bird house on one of the trees. Plus, the Goldfinches were en masse at the bird feeder, so I could not resist a few pics of the beautiful yellow birds.

This flower is called Blue Star or Blue Dogbane (Amsonia tabernaemontana). This is going to be growing in one of my flowerbeds. I just purchased this plant from the Blue Ridge Wildflower Society.

This flower is a Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris). It is a rather common bloom in May. This image was taken in SW Roanoke City.

This is a Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor). This image was taken in SW Roanoke City.

This wildflower is a Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata). This wildflower can be found in several types of blooms, from a singe layer of petals, like this one, to many layers, forming a very full bloom.

This is Fire Pink (Silene virginica). It is not extremely common, but a very beautiful red wildflower. One of my favorites, but very hard to photograph.

This is the open bloom of Wild Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus).

This is another open bloom of Wild Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus).

Another photograph of Fire Pink (Silene virginica). It seems to like to grow in shadier surroundings.

This wildflower is Indian Strawberry (Duchesnea indica).

This wildflower is Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron strigosus). It is a member of the Aster Family (Asteraceae).

This beautiful hanging wildflower is Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum commutatum). It is a member of the Lily Family (Liliaceae).

This odd looking wildflower is Mouse Ear Hawkweed (Pilosella officinarum). It is a wind dependant seeder.

This wildflower is a Swamp Buttercup (Ranunculus septentrionalis), although it looks like the common buttercup above. The way to tell them apart is their leaves.

This is a wider view of the Swamp Buttercup (Ranunculus septentrionalis). Here you can see the narrow leaves. The common buttercup has similar, but wider leaves.

This is the little flying squirrel that was watching me from above as I photographed the wildflowers.

Just in case you wanted a closer view.

The Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) is in bloom again. However, you need to catch it quick.

This flower is called Pyracantha.

Here is one of the Goldfinch that was flying in the area.

Here are a couple more. I call this image "Yellow Birdy Butts".

More Wildflowers In My Yard

I have found a way to fill in the short breaks in my work at home. I grab the camera and photograph the increasing number of wildflowers that have taken up residence in my yard. I have never noticed this many varieties before, but I probably just didn't notice. I hope you like these.

A Red Azalea, blooming a bit later than the others. This color is so rich, it is hard to do it justice in a photo.

This flower is called Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum). This is another bunch growing in one of my flowerbeds. These wildflowers are simply beautiful, and rival Bloodroot as one of my favorites.

The Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), This time a side view image. Considering these blooms are only six inches off the ground, I had to get low to shoot this image.

These are a few more of the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) in my yard. I am a lucky person to have them visiting me this spring.

This wildflower is known as Common Mallow (Malva neglecta). Thanks to Doug with the "heads up" on this identification.

Amazing What I Found In My Yard

I was out working around the yard the other day and spotted a wildflower, a Star of Bethlehem. Then more of them. I started poking around the area and found a nice assortment of wildflowers right here in the yard. I grabbed the camera and started shooting. Here is what I found.

This is an Azalea. It is one of the assorted colors growing in my yard.

Another Azalea. Different Color

Another Azalea, with buds. Different Color

Another Azalea. This has to be my favorite Azalea in my yard.

Growing right near the yellow Azalea was this Spiderwort. The petals are curled, so I was stumped a bit when I first saw it.

Another Azalea, this time in a nice blooming cluster. Different Color

This flower is called Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), also known as Dutchman's Trousers. This is a very nice, and different wildflower, native to Japan.

This is also a Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis). This is a very dark pink bloom. Most are lighter is color.

This is also Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), but in this color, it is more commonly called Dutchman's Trousers.

This flower is called Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis). It is the only species in the genus Convallaria.

This flower is unknown at this time. If you can identify it, please let me know.

This flower is called Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides). It is mildly common in this area.

This flower is called Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum). This wildflower is staging a large presence in my yard, including the middle of my lawn. They will be carefully transplanted.

This flower is known as Blue Bugle, Bugleweed, or Carpetweed (Ajuga reptans)

This flower is White Lilac (Syringa vulgaris). It is usually purple, but this variant is white. It has the lilac smell, just like the purple variety.

This flower is White Phlox. I am not sure of the genus or species.

This flower is also Phlox, but it is oddly striped. I am not sure of the genus or species.