Laura and I enjoyed our first picnic trip of the year yesterday to Smiley's Provincial Park, Mount Uniacke Estate Museum Park and the gypsum lands of West Hants County.

Our first stop at Mount Uniacke Museum Park was for the Painted Trillium. Also present was Trout Lily and to our surprise and delight, a Barred Owl. The Barred Owl was extremely interested in us and actually approached closer suggesting a nearby nest. Our second stop was at Smiley's Provincial Park to enjoy our picnic and a walk around the woodland trail looking for Early Coral-root Orchid. The woods here might be be too alkaline for this orchid although it does grow on moss which is abundant under the shade of the coniferous forest. Our third stop found us enjoying early blooming Ram's Head Orchid and Yellow Lady's-Slipper Orchid. The trail side used to crowd with orchids but not any more since they have been ravaged by rogue gardeners who have no ill conscience about illegally digging them out.

Painted Trillium

Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium Painted Trillium

Ram's Head Orchid

Ram's Head Orchid Ram's Head Orchid Ram's Head Orchid Ram's Head Orchid Ram's Head Orchid Ram's Head Orchid Ram's Head Orchid

Trout Lily

Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchid

Yellow Lady's-Slipper Orchid Yellow Lady's-Slipper Orchid

Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchid

Yellow Lady's-Slipper Orchid

Blue-eyed Grass

Blue-eyed Grass