My Photo Journal: A Joyful Walk Through Wild Bergamot Paths

I believe that joy is at the core of my being.
I know the joy I seek is already within me.
I commit to it with a lightness and ease that evaporates all barriers.
I will create joyful moments with every heartbeat.
― Adrienne Enns, Intentional Days: Creating Your Life on Purpose

Isn’t it amazing?
We journey through our lives, make mistakes,
say the wrong things, and many times live with regret.
We’re human we’re going to make mistakes,
but the blessings God sends our way, most of them never asked for,
they just intervene, giving us the joyful light we need.
― Ron Baratono

This beautiful life we're living is the destination,
and the richness of the trip we take is up to us.
― Sagel Urlacher, Yin Yoga & Meditation

When you do things from your soul,
you feel a river moving in you, a joy.
― Rumi

Photos of wild bergamot growing in great masses under tree canopy were taken whilst on a walk at Farewell Park in Oshawa, Ontario.

Photo © FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved.

My Photo Journal: Erythronium americanum (Trout Lily or Adder's Tongue)

Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn.
― Terri Guillemets
I took the picture above while on a family walk at Toronto's G. Lord Ross Park, located in the West Don River valley north of Finch Avenue. This is a great park for a long walk with the dog as it has an extensive nature trail. We especially love it in the spring when you can see the vegetation coming back to life and in the fall for the amazing colours on the trees!

Also called adder's tongue, the yellow trout-lily (Erythronium americanum) is one of the earliest wildflowers you will see in spring, sometimes appearing even while there is still snow on the ground. This particular picture is somewhat unusual because it shows the flower with its head tossed confidently back, unlike its usual tendency of nodding shyly on its thin, gangly stalk, its face hidden away from you. Since the blooms are diminutive and shrink timidly into the embrace of deep layers of dead leaves, you really have to look closely to detect this ephemeral wildflower. You will have better luck locating it by looking for its green and brown spotted leaves that makes the plant look like it has tied an army jacket around its waist!

Here is a wonderful article on this little flower's name origins and how to propagate trout lilies in your backyard garden from the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Have you ever spotted this plant? Leave a comment and let us know!

© 2020 FieldandGarden.com. All rights reserved. (Originally published in 2016.)