Highlights from Today's Nature Walk: Forest Plant Adventure!

I love that through this naturalist class I've found a group of adults with whom I can Play Outside. We were all stopping every few feet excitedly pointing out cool bugs and plants we found on the side of the trail. These are my people.
The woman leading the walk works at a garden center as her day job. She talked about how she casually dissuades customers from buying privet (an invasive species where I live) and talks them into buying native plants instead. A hero. Icon.
Trout lillies are so pretty! The flower looks like something a little fairy would wear as a hat!
Everyone had their phones out, not in a bad political cartoon kind of way, but getting pictures of plants and insects for iNaturalist!
Saw not one but two cool spiders!
After the talk on dogwood trees, a young woman who hadn't said much yet piped up with, "I was told you can identify dogwood trees by their bark." Laughter ensued.
Got to spend more time with some rad folks from my class project! Everybody is very cool and I am very awkward.
I initially showed up to the wrong address, but luckily someone else did too! Together we managed to find the email with the right address and she gave me a ride there! I have a curse where every time I mention walking or taking public transit somewhere, kind people offer to drive me places. Humans are nice sometimes.
Someone identified an osage orange tree despite the fact that it lacked both fruit and leaves. Apparently the downward curve of the branches was enough to tip them off!
I found an old case that used to house mantis eggs!
I noticed a lot of the plants being identified were things people can eat, so I asked if anyone did foraging hikes. I was told someone hosts "edible walks" and I restrained myself enough to not make a weed joke.
Mexican plum trees were blossoming!
Sugar hackberry trees have such a cool bark texture!
All in all, a very good time. Looking forward to more chill walks with smart people!

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