• Monday-What'sUP May 3 - 09:14 pm

Just about everything starts anew in the Spring and here in the U.P., nature is adding a colorful touch to the forest floors right now. Aladino Mandoli gives us a few examples of the beauty that's sprouting with his first two shots. That delicate little striped flower is what's known as a Spring Beauty, correct me if I'm wrong. And just look at the forest floor dotted with wildflowers, just like they were sprinkled amidst the dried leaves and newly sprouting grass. Yes indeed, everything is coming back to life again for the summer months that aren't too far off now.

Aladino's last shot, is one of my favorite flowers, the Trillium. They look so bright and bold on the ground amongst the greenery surrounding them. I'm not sure they're quite out and blooming yet, but I spotted this in Aladino's album and knowing this is the time of year they arrive, I thought I'd throw this one in today, too. Along with a reminder that if you do see them, just enjoy looking at them and take a few photos to remember their beauty, because you can actually damage the plant if you pick them and it can take years for the plant to recover. In fact I think it's actually illegal to pick them in many states, including Michigan, although I'm not sure how something like that can be enforced very well. I don't think I've ever seen any Trillium police around when I've stumbled upon a patch of these springtime visitors.

Thanks for all the notes yesterday, and well-wishes on our trip out west. The daily Pasty Cam is published this morning from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Spring growth and flowers are just a bit more advanced than it was in the U.P., when we left on Saturday.

A friend from Jacobsville, Millie Irwin (who has since passed away) used to call those little flowers, "Pinks." She knew I loved photography and would call me and say, "Barb, the pinks are up." I will remember her always whenever I see pinks in bloom.

Got my first bug bite yesterday. Must be spring.

The prettiest wildflowers seem to grow in the woods.

Lots of trilliums are out in the Firesteel Hill country along M 26 just north of the rivers.

I have been looking for the trilliums on my daily walks with the puppy in the woods, so far no luck. Erik, the kids asked for bug spray yesterday so us too. The console of my car now has its summer addition.

Just wondering...has anyone ever been bitten by a deer tick or know anything about Lyme disease?
I was hiking in the Porkies last fall and afterwards, noticed a deer tick crawling on my arm. Several months later, I began to experience symptoms of numb, tingly fingers and stiff joints (but no pain). I was hoping to ride it out, but no luck so far. I guess I should go see the doctor.

Alex a deer tick needs to be attached for 48-72 hrs to trans Lyme's disease. If it was still walking then you had no bite by that tick. How ever if you don't feel well you should still go get check out. How big was the tick? Only asking because you say you noticed it and deer ticks are very small and hard to notice.

Often there is a rash around a deer tick bite--like a bullseye--at
the onset of lyme's disease.

Steve / Carol: thanks for the info. I figure the tick (if that's what it was) had a chance to be on my person for about three or four hours at most, because that is how long I had been hiking. The tick was smaller than a Ladybug and dark brown. I looked it up when I got home and it appeared to one. I did have a rash-like feeling on my back, but no bull’s eye. It was just a small patch that was sensitive to the touch and itched allot, but has since gone away. Looks like I may have to make that doctor’s appointment. Thanks again for the info.

Pretty pictures, 2 day. Thanks 4 sharing.

If it was just smaller then a Ladybug it was most likly a wood tick. A deer tick is very small about the size of this . and not much bigger

One of my sisters contracted Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever from a tick bite a few years back, but it wasn't from a deer tick. However, I doubt that's what your problem is, Alex, 'cause you would have been sick enough to go to a doctor immediately with a high fever and rash. She was very ill, but recovered.

Thanks for the feedback, eveyone.

see a physician right away you very well may to be on antibiotics soon even perhaps in some cases profalacticly

And I was told it is tick season....There's a lot more in the Baraga area than there is up that way, and a whole lot more in Delta Co area...Give me that cold weather anyday! LOL

Alex get to a doctor just in case. Granddaughter Monica from Wautoma Wi. fought a hard battle a couple years ago (about age 15). Ended up at Madison hospital for treatment of Lime Disease. She's fine now.

All this tick talk has me itching.... ;->
For reference on the type of tick you found on yourself, Alex, I happened to have taken this picture of one that came home from the woods on my hubby. This is what is commonly referred to as a Wood Tick and is larger than the deer tick in size. In case you're wondering, yes it was still alive for the photo op and for some strange reason it stopped moving to get it's picture taken. Guess it wanted it's 15 minutes of fame...

Gorgeous!

Mary says: Are you talking about the tick, Deb? LOL ;->

maybe Deb was referring to the dime !