Bald cypress leafing out

The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a coniferous tree but it loses its leaves in the winter. This bald cypress is just now getting this year's leaves. The natural habitat of bald cypress is low wet soil, but this tree is on rather high ground so it likely was planted there many years ago. In Knox County, April 8, 2010.

Link to previous post on Taxodium distichum:

Link to coniferous trees:

Correction 4/14/2010: This scene is in Gibson County, not Knox County. On the other side of the White River.

Dame's rocket

Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis), at the boat ramp at Hazelton in Gibson County. The White River is in the background and is getting high. The picture was taken April 8, 2010, this might be underwater tomorrow according the the flood prediction:

Often when people find a patch of dame's rocket growing in their yards they will leave it unmowed as the flowers are so striking.

Link to Hesperis matronalis:

Link to Hesperis matronalis:

Link to Hesperis matronalis:

Tree of Heaven and Catalpa

A tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) stands along the Monon Trail between 10th and 16th streets. In the background a bit farther north is a catalpa tree. Nobody planted these trees, Ailanthus and Catalpa are pioneer species of forgotten urban land. Picture taken April 4, 2010.

Link to Ailanthus altissima:

Link to Catalpa:

Wood ducks

Wood ducks (Aix sponsa), on the Central Canal, near Butler campus, Indianapolis. Picture taken April 4, 2010.

Link to Aix sponsa:

Red Maple

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is used a lot for landscaping. The two Acer rubrum in the above picture are on the Monon Trail at 25th Street, Indianapolis.

Link to Acer rubrum:

Link to Monon Trail:

Pistillate flowers of red maple (Acer rubrum). Visible are the beginnings of the winged samaras. This red maple is along the White River Trail at 16th Street in Indianapolis. Both pictures taken April 4, 2010.

Link to White River Trail:

Link to samaras:

Garter snake

This garter snake (probably Thamnophis sirtalis) was minding his own business in an alley in the Perrin Ave. area of Lafayette. Picture taken April 1, 2010.

Link to Thamnophis sirtalis:

Link to Thamnophis sirtalis:

Turtles at a sinkhole

These turtles were basking in the sun at this sinkhole in Orange County. This was the best picture I could get, they all spooked and jumped in the water when I got closer. I can't see from the picture exactly what species turtle they are, could be map turtles (Graptemys geographica) or painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). Picture taken March 31, 2010.

Link to map turtles:

Link to painted turtles:

Link to sinkholes: