Working at an office park, anyone with an inclination towards the outdoors world … simply has to get out of the office and walk. In this course, I discovered that numerous wildflowers grow around the periphery of the park. Being both photographer and sometimes amateur naturalist, I began photographing and cataloging the various flowers.
That was the humble beginning of what I will refer to as the Park Wildflower Project. My catalog is more than 60 species … but I’m not done yet. I find it necessary to return frequently. From year to year, the species can vary. (This year, Common Tansy has invasively taken over the northwest meadow.) I find flowers that I have not seen before; and I no longer find some of those that I have seen.
For identification, I rely primarily upon two books. For a quick visual reference, I like “Wildflowers in the Field and Forest” by Clemants and Gracie. But that’s not always enough. Newcomb’s “Wildflower Guide” is absolutely essential !