Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Wandering the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve








Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve was founded in 1934, the brainchild of two active community members and nature lovers. BHWP’s mission is as follows:

“The mission of Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve is to lead people to a greater appreciation of native plants, to an understanding of their importance to all life, and to a commitment to the preservation of a healthy and diverse natural world.”

As a lover of all plants, and with a personal interest in learning about native plants, I have taken advantage of two opportunities to pay brief visits to the preserve. Needless to say, I have plans of many happy returns. The preserve is gorgeous – 134 acres of trees, plants, and trails – with ample resources on native species identification and cultivation.

With so much to see, it was hard to take it all in at once. When I returned home to review my pictures, I found that probably 90% of them were taken looking up – apparently, I was more interested in what was going on with the tree-color-change than was what occurring on the ground!

A spring visit will undoubtedly garner the onset of what puts the “wildflower” in the BHWP. Until then, I’m looking forward to seeing these trees laden with snow!

Next up, the view from the Bowman's Hill Tower.

6 comments:

  1. Gorgeous shots, JLB. I love the idea. of a wildflower preserve. Unlike wildlife preserves, wildflower preserves are fairly uncommon, aren't they? I don't know of many.

    In California, a poppy preserve in the southern part of the state is aimed specifically at saving lands that contain an abundance their state flower!

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  2. Wow, these are just lovely JL!!! You not only have such beautiful scenes and plants to work with, you also have a real 'eye' for capturing them in photos. Thanks again for sharing. G

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  3. As beautiful as the foliage is, today I was drawn to the photos of the stream...so tranquil looking...just lovely. :-)

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  4. Caroline, indeed, the concept of the botanical preserve is so appealing, and visiting the BHWP really demonstrates how valuable (and beautiful) they are.

    Geraldine, thank you for your kindness. I'm so glad that you enjoy my work.

    Michelle, it is such a peaceful stream too! Where you see the little dam in the first shot, there's a little door which can be used to divert water away from the creek and into the old "run" that parallels the creek down to a mill. It would have been great to see it in use in its hayday.

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  5. Hi JLB,

    Yes, that must have been something to see back in the "old days!"

    I know now why the water images were so appealingyesterday...I ended up dealing with The Bureaucracy (for which I have little tolerance), and that water imagery was a great reminder to "go with the flow" as I ran from place to place. :-)

    Thanks!!

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  6. Michelle, I love your analogy, and I'm glad to know that my images brought you a little breath of air. :)

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