Large-Flowered Trillium flowers Nature

Trillium

Large-flowered Trillium ~ Trillium grandiflorum, 2015

Come Mother’s Day in central Minnesota, it’s usually a good time to go driving by the woods. On the right year, the forest floors can be a carpet of showy white blossoms easily seen from the road. The trillium were close to a week late this year, but they’re finally out!

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Baby bird loon stretches his wings as mama loon looks on, while its sibling rides on her back Birds

Loon

Great Northern Loon – Gavia immer
2018

Apparently what I grew up knowing as the Common Loon has now been renamed the Great Northern Loon (though Gavia immer remains its scientific name). A compromise, I believe, between Common Loon and the European name, Great Northern Diver. It sounds a little more important than a mere Common Loon, so I guess I’ll go with it.

I was reminded again how difficult feather down is to depict, as are reflections. I sometimes wonder why I torture myself so, but I was pleased with the result, so it was well worth it.