A weed and a mystery solved

Over in Ireland Park today, there were many of these, but I have no idea what they are (except "really ugly").  That's a normal dandelion in the lower left, for a size comparison.

It looks, if not tasty, at least edible, but that's really all I can say about it.

Also: mystery solved.  Those witch's hats must have been covering up the hardware attachments for the new benches they put in.  You can still see the cut-away along the back edge of the bench's supports.

Tulips on the Trail

Back in Toronto and so back to the trail photos — except today, at the far western end of my block, I saw some interesting tulips in one of the little yards there the tenant sometimes take care of.

These were just so bright and pretty in the sun.

And these — I love the alternating petals.

And finally, some fringed tulips in brilliant red.

[Off Trail] Allium, Poppies, and more

These allium (flowering onions) came up in the yard after the tulips started to die back.

They seem to be attracting the newly-emerged swallowtails.

There are also some other things starting to come into bloom.  These pansies returned from last year on their own.

Some sort of geranium:

And maybe some sort of wood poppy?

Plus a more recognizable poppy.

And the neighbor's bleeding heart:

[Off Trail] Lawn chair meets lawn mower

So… this guy was flying around this morning.

It really does sound like someone's mowing the sky, then yuo look up and see that.

Also, there were some willow goldfinches at the feeder this morning.

[Off Trail] Spring flowers

I know that the April showers were supposed to bring flowers in May, but, nevertheless, the local flowers are responding well to the April rains.

Double Daffodil

Purple Tulip

Red Tulip

Lily-flowered Tulip

Hmm some sort of fritillary?  Don't know.

More Daffodils, aka Narcissus

Wild Violets

Mica cap? Hrm, mushroom — that's it.

White Tulips

Hyacinth

More Hyacinth

A Bumblebee amid the garden

[Off Trail] Flowers

Warmer down here in Ohio than it is in Ontario (of course), and much more Springly here.  A magnolia around the corner is in a great state of bloom.

And the birdfeeders are active, active, active.

[Off Trail] More at the Hofbrauhaus

Had lunch at the Hofbrauhaus yesterday, a beer hall/biergarten type place.

The back portion used to be a men's club for The Hermits.  After lunch, we roamed a little in the back.  The upstairs halls were very interesting.

The other upstairs room had a fireplace with a large portrait over it.

There are some words there.

Reads: To all the Hermits far and near, I pledge thee in this glass I hold
To those of now and yesteryear, For what ye are and were of old
To those who put the Cowl aside, We've shared the best of all life's span
To those beyond the great divide, True Fellowship of man to man.

A very nice hermit is carved in at one side of the fireplace.

The opposite wall has some murals.