2 Kentucky Parks, Spring 2021

My first view of the Cumberland River this year. Very contrasty late afternoon.

Squaw Root

Dwarf Crested Iris

Shot of the Falls from farther away.

And on to Natural Bridge on my way home. Never seen a bear there.

Yellow Bellwort

Birdsfoot Violets

Phacelia blooming on top of a rock.

White Trillium.

And down this wonderful path to head home.

My dinner view.

A different Fleabane

Path back up to the Lodge. Bluets all on the sides.

Across from below the Falls.

Yellow Trillium

Bishop's Cap. Actually the only specimen I saw.

The rocks at Natural Bridge are full of patterns like this.

I loved the roots growing over the rock, and the Phacelia above it.

This one could also be called "Friends"

A Fleabane sneaking through the railings.

Rocky pathway I was on.

Lyre-Leaf Sage

Mini-landscape

Purple Phacelia, in profuse bloom all over the hillside.

Bluets in the roots.

Along the path.

Another Phacelia scene.

This one stumped me. iNauralist said it was a Spotted Mandarin, something not found in Ohio except in two southernmost counties.

Not a brilliant bird shot, but this Pileated Woodpecker and I surprised each other around a bend. Closest I have ever gotten to one.

Wild Ginger showing the flowers at the base.

Many of my favorite places to shoot the Cumberland River from are now closed off. You can no longer go down onto the stone here. Safety, I guess.

Across to painted looking rocks.

And with a friend

Brown Elfin butterfly. A new one for me.

Foam Flower.

Wonderful place to walk!

Halberd-leaved Violet

Firepink

I call this one "messy" or maybe 'friendly" Unopened Oxalis and Wood Betony.

Cumberland Falls

Back to the parking lot.

Wild Phlox was also blooming all over.

Hillside with Birdsfoot Violets. Another one new to me.

Wild Geranium

Red Trillium. Also known as Stinking Benjamin.

This hollowed out tree is still going strong.