A view over the handlebars

When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle. ~Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills

Monday, April 02, 2007

Flowers in our woods

Trillium flowers grow in one place on our four acres. We had not seen these flowers before growing in our woods. They are quite beautiful and we thought might be in the orchid family. Turns out that RA's book says they are members of the lily family and can bloom as early as March. They grow from Central CA along the coast to British Colombia. They should not be picked as it sets the plant back. They are, furthermore, impossible to grow in a garden. They prefer moist and shady wooded areas. The seeds are spread by ants, we read, who are attracted to oily structures attached to the seed coat. Thnaks to the ants for spreading these around our woods and hope you enjoy the photo.