The Nature Conservancy is hosting a Field Day at Smith Creek on October 21, 2011. The hike will start at 10:00 am and will probably last until 2:00pm. Bring water and a sack lunch.

To register contact Brenda Luper at bluper@tnc.org or 479-973-9110.

The weather held off perfectly for the field day at Smith Creek. A great way to celebrate Earth Day and Good Friday. Smith Creek is one of the great cathedrals on our planet. We had about 15 folks for the hike from the bridge to the springs. The best part of the day was seeing two wildflowers that I had not been able to see before. The trumpet honeysuckle and the columbine. The creek had good flow with the falls and cascades putting on a good show for the visitors.

Below is a list of the wildflowers that were blooming:

Blue Phlox, Downy Phlox, Blue Violets, Yellow Violets, Pale Violets, Wild Hyacinth, Solomens Seal, Ohio Bucheye, Ozark Spiderworts, Columbine, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Wake Robin, Fire Pinks, Jacobs Ladder, Wild Geranium, Jack in the Pulpit, Dwarf Iris, and Virginia Waterleaf.

Ms.Terri and I visited the Creek today to check on the wildflower show. The yellow trout lilys are near peak. The following are just beginning and should be excellent next weekend:

Blue Phlox

Dutchmen's Breeches

Large Belwort

Purple Trillium

The yellow and blue violets were showing well as well as toothworts.

The Nature Conservancy will be having a hike on April 22, 2011. You can sign up by emailing bluper@tnc.org or calling Brenda Luper at 479-973-9110.

A reminder for Nature In Focus - 2011 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on April 14, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be 30 of my wildflower photos available for silent auction. Admission is free. There will be light food and refreshments. This is a fundraising and awareness event. All proceeds benefit The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas.

Bob Shull and I visited the creek today to see where the wildflowers were in their bloom. Below is a list:

White Trout Lilys - Numerous mid morning but the blooms are small

Harbinger of Spring - Numerous in several areas

Toothwort -  Few blooming, but lots of plants for later

Bloodroot - Just beginning to sprout and bloom in a few locations

Seems to be a good start for the wildflowers at the Creek