May Signatures

By Ed Wesely

Spring moves on

Clear skies. We’ve finally had a good portion of rain, for which the animal and vegetable worlds are grateful. But luckily, too, last Friday, May 10, was a crystal clear day that held over into the nighttime. It was perfect for the Delaware Highland Conservancy’s Sky Watch program, which featured observations of five planets that have been much in the news: Mercury, Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter. The weather and advanced publicity drew about 100 adults and children to the Conservancy’s meadow on the bank of the Delaware River, for the chance to view all five planets through binoculars and telescopes. But in talking to the children I learned that many of them had already visited the Conservancy’s Butterfly Barn on school field trips, many as second graders from Lakeside Elementary School in Honesdale. And I learned, too, that non-programmed learning—especially when it involves contact with farm animals—could make a profound impression. Many kids, even fourth and fifth graders, recalled feeding apple slices to “Precious,” the goat, a couple of years ago and racing around the meadow with her.

Walking by the barnyard, the mother of a Lakeside second grader said: “So that’s Precious the goat! I’ve been hearing about Precious for the last seven months!” So after “please, please” from the daughter, I opened the gate for them to say hello in person and to scratch a pair of goat ears.

Columbine – what’s in a name? The intermittent episodes of sun and rain have been kind to late spring flowers. Last week’s TRR featured a front-page color photograph of Columbine flowers, which I’ve been finding on rocky slopes along my own rural road.

Linnaeus, the botanist who bestowed its scientific name in the 18th century from specimens sent to him in Sweden, gave our Columbine the scientific name, Aquilegia canadensis. Apparently he fancied there was the form of an eagle in the petals, so he borrowed the Latin word for “eagle,” which is aquila. The term canadensis reveals that his specimen came from the northern climes of North America. Columba—which gave rise to “columbine”—is Latin for dove.

According to an English botanist, named Lyte, writing in late 16th century: “The shape and proportion of the petals do seem to represent the figure of a dove or pigeon–these floures (flowers) produce hollows with a long crooked tayl (tail), like a Lark’s claw.”

Gaywings. These little flowers are wonderful finds, reminding many people of orchids (which they aren’t). The petals unite to form a lilac-colored flower tube, with a bushy fringe at the tip. Two flaring, lilac-colored wings at the base probably led to the name gaywings.

Other common names indicate the affection bestowed by anonymous namers: “Baby’s-Slippers,” Maywings” and even “Satin-Flower.”

A New York botanist, Susan Cooper, writing in 1850, gave this little plant one of its best descriptions: “growing low as they do and many of their winged flowers together, you might fancy them so many... rose colored butterflies resting on the moss.”

Gaywing plants aren’t common. On my road they favor dry, sunny habitats on the shoulders—where I find them poking out from oak leaves.

Early birds. The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is sponsoring an early morning bird walk at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18. The public, including “beginners,” is invited. For information call 570/729-7053.