Forsythia is not a real successful bloomer in the South Carolina Lowcountry. I suspect it just doesn’t get cold enough, and that’s ok with me! When I do see it the display is not the bold statement I’m accustomed to that heralds a New England spring.
Yellow Forsythia
I spotted some last week that put on a very modest display.
Now in my seventh January in South Carolina I remain delighted by the winter blooming jonquils that pop up in unexpected places. In New England these would be a sure sign that spring was right around the corner. Here, winter, although shorter, is just getting started.
White Jonquil
Most of the ones I’ve seen this year are yellow.
Yellow Jonquil
These were along the heavily wooded “nature train road” at Magnolia Plantation.
Yellow Jonquil
Early afternoon last week some dappled sun was reaching the blooms.
A more healthy looking grouping of Resurrection Fern was nearby the Resurrection Fern, On Brick from my previous post. It was well shaded and the detritus buildup on the branch held much more water to revive the fern than the brick.
Resurrection Fern on Live Oak Branch
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
December 31, 2021
Resurrection Fern is the common name of the species Polypodium polypodioides, a plant that grows on the surface of other plants and trees, and is most well known on Live Oaks around the Low Country of South Carolina. It springs to life when it rains, then slowly dries up, appearing dead.
Conversation with New Zealand blogger Ms. Liz about her post of a fern at Exploringcolour.wordpress.com/ has inspired me to work on ferns today. I thought I’d start small.
Resurrection Fern on Brick Wall
These fronds are typically 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters) in length (National Wildlife Federation) and this particular collection was smaller.
Resurrection Fern on Brick Wall, Dried Magnolia Seed Pod
The images in today’s post are of the fern growing on this brick wall that encloses a cemetery plot. A one inch (2.5 cm) plus rainfall the day before had worked its magic and the fern was looking quite lively. I suspect squirrels use this wall as a lunch spot accounting for the partially chewed Magnolia seed pod.
Resurrection Fern on Brick Wall, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
I’m using the term Resurrection Fern loosely here, as it appears to me there are multiple variations and I know nothing about more specific identification.
Resurrection Fern on Brick Wall
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
December 31, 2021
I’ve posted about this fern a few times and it’s not uncommon for it to appear in other images along side a bird. Other Resurrection Fern Posts
This Roseate Spoonbill really wanted to sit in the Spoony Tree with his stick. I didn’t see him arrive, but think he just flew up from underneath the tree.
Roseate Spoonbill With Stick In the Spoonie Tree
Who knows why, it’s not breeding season yet and he doesn’t look like he’s of breeding age based on still having pin feathers on his head.
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
He took off when the Cormorants started squawking at him.
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
The Anhinga was not impressed when he came right back.
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
He headed across the dike, where he promptly landed in the mudflats and abandoned the stick for some fishing.
Roseate Spoonbill Flying With Stick
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2021