Wildflower Wednesday: American Germander

July 24, 2019 Elise

While walking along a salt marsh I visit frequently, I was surprised to see clusters of blooming flowers I’d never noticed before. It’s amazing how many things I still overlook, despite careful observation and multiple return visits throughout different seasons. But it also means there are still happy surprises and more plants to get to know. This new-to-me-plant ended up being American germander (Teucrium canadense), a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) with a terminal, dense spike-like cluster of flowers. …

Green frog (Rana clamitans)

July 15, 2019 Elise

The green frog (Rana clamitans, aka Lithobates clamitans) is one of the most common frogs in Massachusetts, and can be found in all types of freshwater wetlands. Their coloring varies from green to olive to brown, although according to one guide book I consulted, regardless of body color they tend to have a green upper lip. Green frogs look somewhat similar to bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana), but green frogs have a pair of dorsolateral ridges that extend the length of their…

Connecticut Appalachian Trail Section Hike

July 5, 2019 Elise

Earlier this week I completed my second state (Connecticut), in an effort to ultimately complete the entire Appalachian Trail (AT) in sections. (Click here to read about my ~100-mile Massachusetts section hike from 2017). While Connecticut was a little less rugged than Massachusetts (with the exception of Bear Mountain at an elevation of 2,326 feet, the rest of the Connecticut AT is under 1,500 feet), it had beautiful open forests, very few “road walks”, and numerous wide sweeping views of…

Seashore to Forest Floor

A naturalist's journey across Cape Cod and beyond

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Month: July 2019