A small series of falls at the Sweedler Preserve (site of the next several pictures).
 
 
 

Torn asunder by time - this tree split in half and fell in opposite directions.
 
 
 

A larger waterfall sprays into the deepened gorge.
 
 
 

I hiked downhill, then back up the gorge, to see the same waterfall from below.
 
 
 

An improbable iceberg below the falls on this seventy degree April day.
 
 
 

A suprisingly sociable garter snake.
 
 
 

The first wildflower of the season - a purple hepatica.
 
 

Twin trunks stretch toward sunshine.
 
 

At Six Mile Creek (site of the next several pictures) I saw white, purple, and yellow violets growing together.
 
 

Various wildflowers along the upper slopes of the gorge.
 
 
 

This poor critter's carcass provided a striking contrast with the wildflowers.
 
 
 

Continuing our dark theme - this really is a plant, notice the yellow flower.
 
 
 

I've noticed several times that wild columbine only grows here in places with nice views.
 
 
 

Looking toward the lower reservoir on Six Mile Creek.
 
 
 

These shy plants only blossom beneath their leaf umbrellas.
 
 
 

Peeking in on a purple-striped 'jack in the pulpit'.
 
 
 

Ferns unfurled.
 
 
 

Dutchman's breeches, unfolding trillium, and trout lillies.
 
 
 

Trilliums come in white, in purple, and in big groups that cover the landscape.
 
 
 

Water flows diagonally against rock that breaks at right angles.
 
 
 

Trees get their first blush of spring color at the Lindsey-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve (location of the remaining pictures).
 
 

A nice pond to relax by.
 
 
 

Along the shore of the above-pictured pond, a lesson in amphibian reproduction strategies.
 
 
 

Four fuzzy fern fiddleheads.
 
 
 

An oak tree hatches from its acorn.
 
 
 

I got it in my head to climb Thatcher's Pinnacles.  Here's a view from the top (note the pond I was at before).