Where it began at the parking area the upland trail led me through a woods still disappointingly barren. But warm sun shone through the leafless canopy and I was happy just to be out and feeling it on my face. Besides, I had it on good authority that there was a treasure of wildflowers hiding somewhere in this place. I strolled on.
When the land and the trail dipped into a small valley I discovered the promised treasure. Small white flowers--trout lillies, I later learned--spread across the valley floor like a carpet of green with white flecks. Where a thin stream of black water trickled under a plank bridge there were luxuriant bouquets of marsh marigold.
Deeper in the woods, where the soil was moist, a thick, rich stew of skunk cabbage gave the forest floor an intensely green buoyancy. A few of the trees in the under-story were just budding out, adding a complimentary reds to the otherwise somber palette of spring. I was exploring the Cudahy Nature Preserve for the first time, thanks to the recommendation of Brian Russart, Natural Areas Coordinator at the Milwaukee County Parks Department.
Here are a few shots that I took while I wandered, rapt and enchanted in the urban wilderness.
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| Trout lillies carpet the forest floor |
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| Vole-eye view of trout lillies |
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| Field of skunk cabbage |
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| Skunk cabbage |
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| Field of skunk cabbage |
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| Marsh marigolds in wetland |
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| Upland woods |
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| Budding trees |
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| Purple cress |
Oh, I suppose I should mention the noise. Every few minutes I was subjected to the tremendous roar of jet engines as an airliner began its acceleration towards liftoff from Mitchell Field. The end of the north-south runway is right next to the park. Between flights it was very peaceful.
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| Flight path, adjacent to the preserve |
To see more photos of Milwaukee's parks and natural areas, go to my Flickr album.
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