Needing some fresh air, sunlight, and exercise during this time of stay-at-home and social distancing, on April 3rd Joan and I drove down to the Rockbridge State Nature Preserve. This park wedged between Route 33 and the Hocking River is usually less crowded than the larger attractions deeper in the Hocking Hills area. A trail map is here.
The path started along the boundary between a farm field and wooded areas. This tree on the farm property caught my eye.
After rising a while the trail then descended, and soon the rock bridge came into view. There are a couple of other hikers crossing it in this photo, but we had the trail to ourselves much of the time. Click on the image to enlarge.
The path continued downhill and we lingered to admire the bridge from below. Our wet springtime in Ohio had created small waterfalls and drips, which usually disappear in summer.
The trail continued a short distance to the west bank of the Hocking River, and Joan spotted a soft-shelled turtle on the far bank.
There was also an interesting patch of scouring rush that seemed constrained to never hop over the bridge's outflow creek.
On our way back we took the Rock Shelter spur trail,
and trod the loop that departs from and returns to the Rock Shelter (see the map).
Along our hike Joan and I often stopped for birds and early blooming flowers.
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Unphotographed were spring beauties, emerging iris foliage, and more. However, on the last boardwalk, close to the parking area, I was able to record a six-spotted tiger beetle.
The trail wasn't that long, but in our meandering and inspecting Joan and I consumed three delightful hours visiting the natural world.
A couple of days ago Joan and I took a quick swing through the small woods behind our house to check on the spring wildflowers. Spring beauties are all through the area.
Joan spotted some wild ginger, which blooms close to the ground.
Here's a closer view of the flower.
Some sections were carpeted with mayapples.
One was already setting a blossom.
It is also a good year for Dutchman's Breeches. Actually, it has been an astonishing two weeks since the end of March. It is as if we jumped from February temperatures to June.
Similar to Dutchman's at a casual glance, but morphed, is squirrel corn.
Joan's keen eye spotted a Solomon's Seal.
A phlox, too.
Near the back of the woods, closer to a small creek, were some Virginia bluebells.
A sign of the early warmth ... a solitary (so far) trout lily flowering.
An out-of-focus violet violet. The colors are enchanting.
It was a satisfying walk, especially knowing that all too soon these ephemerals will die back and the poison ivy will be sprouting. Meanwhile, Joan and I have spent time this week plucking out garlic mustard on our property -- the warm weather is encouraging it to set seed early -- and we aren't through yet!
