Fly poison in bloom in the mountains, a native type of lily.

The forest is at peak fern this time of year. There are hay-scented ferns as far as you can see (which, admittedly, isn’t very far in the forest).

This is a native species double feature from today’s hike: a tulip poplar flower that landed in hay-scented ferns along the trail. The late morning light was just perfect.

A new red maple poking out, one of so many I saw on my hike. I’m going to keep tabs on this particular one to see how it fares. Another native species.

Here is some yellow star grass I came across in the mountains of Maryland. Along with the mountain laurel I shared yesterday, this is another species native to the United States. I think I’m finding a new hiking hobby: document at least one native species each hike.