I'm pretty sure this is a new plant for me, athough there are so many wild sunflowers, I'm not absolutely positive I haven't seen it before. Anyway, with those folded, arching leaves, it's the first time I really noticed that it was something different. This is Maximilian Sunflower. Supposedly native to Minnesota, not so much in Michigan although it's been reported in several counties. But it's also planted in gardens, so some are likely escapes. Helianthus maximiliani
This is a common flower along most of the NCT, but this was a nice looking one. Pearly everlasting, Anaphalia margaritacea
I'm now back in the north where we have Canadian Shield poking through the earth. Ridges of rock just springing up.
Where there are road cuts, you can see the fracture patterns. No geology lesson this time, I just like how this one looks.
Late in the day I encountered huge swaths of Hard-Leaved or Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida. Not surprisingly, it is stiff.
It's a very showy species, and the bees love it. Also, the other bug is a Goldenrod Soldier Beetle, or Pennsylvania Leatherwing. Soldier beetles are mostly rather rectangular making them fairly easy to at least get in the correct family.
After hiking I had an interview with the Tower Timberjay newspaper, and then we bought a small pizza at the SOS (Soudan's Only Store). Yum!
Miles today: 16.8. Total miles so far: 3357.9.
 | See Embarrass River |
4 comments:
Very pretty wildflowers.
That is quite an interesting look in that rock.
Joan, you are getting some good mileage days in! Doug
Lulu: "Hiking, flowers, rock formations, and finally, pizza? Sounds like a great day to me!"
Ann- I think the rock itself is tilted so the cleavage planes aren't horizontal.
Doug- thanks! Talk to you soon.
Lulu- especially the pizza, right?
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