It might have been too early
for blossoming flowers, but it was not too early to see
life blooming at the Boom Camp Interpretive Park in Blind
River.
Newly hatched mosquitoes and other insects were buzzing
around, but a bright sun and high winds kept them away from
walkers on the Boom Camp trails, including one family and
members of the Blind River Horticultural Society.
Every year, after the snow melts nature enthusiasts stroll
the ski trails in the early growing season with an eye on
the dirt and their nose in a plant identification book.
Society members call it their wildflower ramble and this
year’s was held earlier than ever, on May 17. Instead
of the red and blue petals of mature flowers there were
the yellows, whites and greens of young plants competing
for the best spots on the forest floor.
Many society members have their own gardens and enjoy watching
colourful plants grow in their yards. The lack of bright
colours did not disappoint them however.
Society president Keith Lendrum along with Wolf and Marie
Kirchmeir and Janet Robb were interested in seeing wild
plants in their juvenile state.
Before setting off, the group had to pick which Boom Camp
trail to take. Wolf Kirchmeir says the orange trail goes
through old pastures once used to feed horses needed for
the town’s old lumber mills.
This time the members picked the blue trail, the shortest,
requiring only an hour to complete. It took a bit longer,
however, as the group made stops to identify plants with
their reference books.
This made the walking easy as no one wanted to miss an interesting
flower, tree or other piece of flora.
The winding path was mostly level and crossed several ditches,
where one frog was seen jumping into the water.
Kirchmeir says frog numbers are dropping all around the
world. No one knows exactly why. One theory is since these
amphibious animals can absorb chemicals through their lungs
and skin they are absorbing pollutants as well. |
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