This green milkweed at our local park is so cool! Not sure I'd ever seen this variety before. Especially as pollinator season is picking up, it's wonderful to see more and more people and municipalities planting pollinator-supporting natives. #grownostr #plantstr #plantnative

Saw a whole patch of these cute white trilliums on a wetland walk while visiting family in the Midwest, which I don't really see where I am now. Plus some native geraniums, which I do also have. So fun to go other places and explore their nature. 🙂 I also saw *tons* of birds, including Baltimore Orioles and Common Yellowthroats, which I'd never seen before...but they didn't sit still for good pics. 😆 #grownostr #plantstr

Some "volunteer" plants are a nuisance, others are a pleasant surprise. This is a case of the latter -- I think this is a sunflower from a seed I planted last year that didn't germinate next to some mint I transplanted from the farm where I volunteer. #plantstr #grownostr #pleasantsurprises

First zinnia bloom of the year at my house! 😃 Not quite fully open...but I try to appreciate every stage of the process. 🙂 #plantstr #gratitude #grownostr

Ladybug on my threadleaf bluestar! 😃 #grownostr #gardening #plantstr

Plants spotted on my trail run...violet wood sorrel, bluets, star of Bethlehem. On a quick lookup, sounds like the Bethlehem has a complex story...it can be toxic, but is used by homeopaths (carefully!) for some ailments. Any of my #permies people have more insight? #runstr #grownostr #stoptophotographtheflowers

Great exploratory trail tour on some new (to me) trails this morning. Nothing like some riverside running to calm the psyche. I hope y'all are having a relaxing (or productive, whatever suits) Sunday afternoon. #grownostr #runstr

GN, nostriches. Nothing like a backyard campfire (after a big day of gardening) for quality time with my person (and our cat). 🥰 #grownostr #grateful

Gosling sighting! 😃 Munch munch munch. I know, they poop A LOT and in all the wrong places. But the baby is so cute! #grownostr #babyanimals

GM nostriches! Another day off to a good start with a handful of miles and the birds cheering me on! 😁 🐦 Hope everyone has a great Friday 🙂 #grownostr #runstr #grateful

Ducklings!! 🦆 Saw them zooming around about a week ago and they're so much bigger today! Still waiting on the nearby goose nest to hatch... #grownostr #simplepleasures #zapathon

Jack-in-the-pulpit! 😃 These always seem so exotic to me, even though they're native. 🤷‍♀️ It's surrounded by invasive lesser celendine, though. This stuff has taken over so much of the forest floor around here. ☹ #grownostr #plantstr

An Eastern Box Turtle! Found it while weeding in the pollinator garden at the educational farm where I volunteer. They are common, but so pretty. 😊

My sweet kitty has a birthday today. Here he is a week ago, lounging on my flower bed per usual. 🥰🙄 We weren't sure this day would come. Last year, he was so sick the vet suggested we consider euthanasia. I almost did it---he was so miserable. But eventually, with a ton of loving care, he returned to mostly normal (just a little more chill). I think he is happy he is still here, especially now that it is warming up. I know we are. We don't know how much longer he will be with us, but are enjoying his company while we have it. I guess the same could be said of our human loved ones. Enjoy the time you have. You never know what the future holds. Cheers to life, nostriches. #catstr #gratitude #grownostr

Our potentilla/shrubby cinquefoil is blooming! 🌼 Just planted it this spring and hoping it doesn't get destroyed by our ravenous deer. 🦌 Looks like we are in the southern end of its range, so fingers crossed it handles the summer. 🤞 It is in part shade; maybe that will help! For now, I'm just enjoying the cheerful blooms. 😊 #grownostr #plantstr

The dwarf crested iris is a beautiful native spring bloomer for the woodland or shade garden. It spreads slowly by rhizomes to form a dense groundcover. It must tolerate clay soil, because it grows well at my house. 😆 I really enjoy these mini irises, which are only a few inches tall. 🙂

"To everything, there is a season," and when it's rainy, it's the season for FROGS! Just listen to them! 😁🐸 From a pond on today's rainy walk... #grownostr #nature

Are these "turkey tail" fungi? Spotted on a rainy walk today. #grownostr

So grateful to have this scenery close to home! After yesterday's big rain everything is so green! Also had a special day with family we see less often than we'd like. 🥰 #grownostr #gratitude