Final Wildflower Photo for 2013

I live in a photographers paradise. There is no shortage of subjects all along the way from home to Boxley Valley. While it might seem I only care about elk, the truth is I often get pictures along the way. 

This wildflower, a black eyed susan, is very late.  In the next 2 days it will be killed by a predicted hard frost. It has managed to bloom and complete its life cycle. Just a month ago there were many similar flowers, now there is just this one. 

For many reasons this year was challenging and I had to set aside the camera during wildflower season. I missed a couple of months for very good reasons, but I really missed the amazing wildflowers around here. This flower was a very nice final gift. I would have been pretty happy with this flower in season, now so late I was very happy to get the picture in crossing morning light. 

The Final Flower for 2013

4/19/13 Elk Viewing Good, Wildflowers Outstanding

Wild Plum Blossoms near Broadwater Falls

Elk viewing is strong in Boxley Valley especially in the south end near the trailhead to the upper
wilderness.

The big news this week are the dogwood trees that are blooming everywhere. Waterfall fans will want to visit to get their chance at dogwoods and redbuds framing the waterfalls. The waterfall flow is now very good -- this is in an outstanding opportunity.

Floating conditions are outstanding in all areas of the river.

Hiking conditions are also ideal.

We are now entering the peak of spring season with many things to do.  It is a great time to vist the river.

4/12/13 Elk Viewing Good, Wildflower Bloom Strong

Wood Bentony Lost Valley

Elk viewing remains strong at both ends of Boxley Valley. The antler drop is now almost complete except for young bulls. The most viewable herd is closest to Ponca about a half mile south from the intersection of 43 and 74.

Wildflowers are the big story now. After many cold snaps, the spring show is on. Most early species are blooming well. Flowering trees are also in bloom with the dogwoods lagging just a bit.

Waterfalls are running well and popular with photographers and hikers.

Floating conditions in all areas of the river. Visit the Buffalo River Chamber website for our list of floating outfitters and current river conditions.

This is prime time for hiking and horseback riding.

It is time to visit the Buffalo National River and its many natural attractions.

4/5/13 Elk Viewing & Ozark Wildflower Report

Elk viewing remains very good and all day long most days.  There are 4 herds and many stragglers in

Pale Corydalis is Blooming Right Now
(with other wildflowers)

the valley now. The best viewing is the herd that moves around south of the Ponca Access up to the then entrance road to Lost Valley.  Of course the herd is in the fields on the east side of HWY 43.

The wildflower bloom is finally underway in earnest in all the wildflower venues along the river including Lost Valley, Smith Creek, Pruitt (east), Tyler Bend, and the trails at Buffalo Point. Just about any tributary creek woodland area along the river should be very good.

The water table is very high now so waterfalls are flowing very well now too.

Great floating and hiking weather. There is plenty to do and see at the Buffalo National River.

3/29/13 Elk Viewing Very Good, Wildflowers Rebound & Resume the 2013 Bloom

Rue Anemones Are Blooming

Elk viewing is very good now. This morning, in spite of morning thunderstorms, elk were out grazing. Elk love rain, so viewing should be good all weekend.

April 1 is the rough date of the annual antler drop.  I did not see any bulls without antlers, but the "drop" will happen any time now. It is illegal to collect sheds on the NPS park lands.

The wildflowers have rebounded from a second bout of winter weather. Last week I made no entry because I could not get off the mountain -- we had nearly an inch of ice on the ground. The following days were bitter cold, perhaps colder than any time in the winter with windchills as low as 8 degrees.

Twice this year wildflowers blossomed in warm weather, and were hammered by cold weather. So far as I can tell, this double reset has had little effect. The one species that is at the end of its bloom cycle is the white trout lily.  There are still small pockets of them here and there, and I am sure other wildflower venues might be at peak for this species.

Today a few species were added to the first bloom dates. Rue anemone, blood root and pale corydalis are now blooming. This is early for blood root and there are few plants. I expect a longer than usual bloom for this species because of the oddball weather patterns.  One the way now are trillium sessile. Lots baby wildflowers are evident.  The cut leaf toothworts appear to be in peak bloom.

If foliage is any indicator, this will be the best year for wildflowers in recent memory. I know the species locations of many varieties, and the footprint for them has expanded greatly. I am sure this is attributable to the rain patterns.

3/15/13 Great Elk Viewing, Wildflowers Started

White Trout Lilies

Elk viewing is very good. There were 4 herds in Boxley Valley today and two were close to the road. Big bulls tend to hang back except in early morning.  The warm weather this weekend should reduce viewing hours a bit.

The antler drop for big bulls is just about 2 weeks off now. Big bull fans have until around April 1 to see the big racks and then will have to wait until the next cycle.

The biggest news in Boxley Valley is the wildflower bloom. The wildflower bloom will heavy this year because of the moisture. Today it was clear that the early bloom pattern would continue. This week Ozark wake robins, cut leaf toothwort, and sharp lobed hepaticas joined the white trout lilies in the first wave of the spring wildflower season.  Trillium sessile are budded and will bloom in the next few days. All of this is very early. The good news is that visitors this weekend can enjoy elk and early wildflowers in beautiful spring weather.

Floating season has started. It is a great time to be at the Buffalo National River.

2/24/13 Elk Crowd Boxley Valley After Storm, Wildflowers Rebound

Elk Viewing is Outstanding

The recent ice storm has focused elk in into Boxley Valley.  Elk viewing is arguably the best so far in 2013 with 6 herds in view and straggler elk, mostly bulls, here and there elsewhere. With so many elk in the valley they probably will move around quite a bit to compete for grazing fields. Remember the bull elk will have their antlers at least another month. 

Early Wildflowers Weathered the Ice Storm

The ice storm did little to damper the wildflower bloom in Boxley Valley's Lost Valley hiking trail. White trout lilies are the star of this early bloom. Yesterday there were at least 5 times as many lilies blooming compared to just a few days prior. If I had to project a peak for the white trout lilies in Lost Valley, it would be the first two weekends of March. There may be another snow storm coming Tuesday, but these tough wildflowers will bounce back quickly.  

It is time to get here if you want to see or photograph white trout lilies. The very best place I know of is just across the bridge at Lost Valley hiking trail and to the left. There is a rock field in the woods just past the fire pit. Stay on the trail, but look carefully and you will see these flowers among the moss covered rocks. They will be gone in 2-3 weeks. If you miss them at Lost Valley, Smith Creek Preserve also has a bloom and it runs roughly 1 or 2 weeks later. http://smithcreekpreserve.com  for directions, maps and more information.

2/8/13 Elk Viewing Great -- Best Bull Viewing So Far

This morning was exceptional for bull elk viewing and photography. The big guys were mid-valley and close to the road.  Prince and another big bull did some spirited sparring that required me to dial back to 300 mm to photograph.

Otherwise there is a good sized herd with a bull in the Ponca fields, and another good sized herd hanging around Smith Creek. The bulls are just north of the mill pond in mid-valley so there is viewing from end to end in Boxley Valley.

The big news is the early arrival of the wildflower season. Recent rains and warm weather have stimulated an early bloom. I will be blogging on this later. What we are witnessing is global warming.

The February 8, 2013 elk herd map is below:

2/6/13 First Wildflowers Have Arrived Early

Just a quick note. Today I saw a number of wildflowers very early, perhaps a month early.

Harbinger of Spring was joined by Bluets, Johnny Jump Up, and a White Trout Lily -- all in bloom. Earlier I saw Dead Nettle in bloom. Also today some spring frogs were chirping and on the Boxley Mill Pond I observed sunning turtles.

Global warming is changing the cycles of nature. Looks like the early wildflower season will be very early this year. More on this later.

2/1/13 Elk Viewing Great

Elk and wildlife viewing is very good now in Boxley Valley. This morning there were 4 herds visible and 2 were very close to the road. It was 18 degrees, perfect elk weather.

On the mill pond there has been pretty big flock of ducks now for a couple of weeks. The 2 resident trumpeter swans add to the show.  Yesterday there was a bald eagle hunting the pond, and this morning there were 2 otter.

Expect wildflowers to bloom early this year. Warm weather has them sprouting already. I photographed the first bloom of 2013 a few days ago -- Dead Nettle. I am certain Harbinger of Spring will show up next week at the latest, and shortly thereafter the rest of the early spring crew.

Wildflower Season Will Arrive Early in 2013

Coming Soon to Buffalo National River

Spring wildflower season is on the the great natural events of the year. It will probably arrive early in 2013. Recent warm weather mixed with cold has stimulated wildflower growth. A recent monitoring hike in Lost Valley revealed the first sprouting plants. There are no blooms yet, but the first are just weeks away.

Plan to visit Buffalo National River a few times to see all the wildflower species. Some bloom early, and some late. Many wildflowers only bloom for a week or two. Others last much longer.

This year the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce will provide expanded wildflower coverage with species guides. We will publish a map identifying wildflower hotspots in every area of the Buffalo National River.

Wildflowers line area hiking trails in the spring. Our online guide will help you identify the main species, and some of the rare one's too.

This blog will identify the species as they bloom. Blooming dates are different in different places, but do fall in pretty predictable date ranges.

Make 2013 the year that you learn about wildflowers. This a great way to teach kids about nature.  Get them started early and make them nature lovers for life. It is a perfect family activity.