In recent years, I’ve visited Sand Ridge more often in the early spring, to locally see skunk cabbages and ephemerals. On this day in July, it’s rainy and overgrown with the amorphous green of a late summer urban woodland.

In the rain, the amorphous green belies the competition in front of us: just out of frame,

the hedge bindweed vine is twisting up Phragmites, taking down and smothering this towering invasive plant. Living the vine life is just about spreading out and getting as much leaf area in sun as fast as possible. Think kudzu, bindweed, invasive Fallopia.

I’ve been visiting the same fen orchids at Sand Ridge for a few years now in different seasons. Note to self – remember that late-July is likely too late to see them in flower!

The swamp mallow are just starting to flower. In another few weeks, either side of the boardwalk will be profusely fuchsia!

An assortment of other plant friends (and enemies!) on the trail: