Spring in the Hudson Valley

Spring is in full swing here in the Hudson Valley. The early yellow forsythia and candy-pink quince blossoms have faded while the flowering fruit trees, dogwoods and redbud are all following in a processional of gorgeous natural color. Above all, I love the myriad shades of tender green as the trees start to leaf out.

It's been unusually chilly up here this year and the farmers have been fogging their orchards and covering their strawberries to protect the flowers until the fruit is set. I can't wait for the first fruits of summer; already keeping an eye on my strawberry- and cherry-picking spots.

This picture was taken in May at North-South Lake, a great place to swim, camp and rent kayaks in Greene County. On a clear day, you can look out over a vast river valley and see as far as the Berkshires to the east from the former site of the grand hotel that once stood on this spot. Definitely worth a trip.

On this trip, I saw painted trilliums, which are rare and exciting. While kayaking, we admired carnivorous sundews and pitcher plants that are abundant in their natural habitat here. This year, I am hoping to time a trip to catch a viewing of a wild Lady's Slipper (native orchid). I am usually pretty good with plant identification but would appreciate help in identifying the beautiful spray of wild blooms above.