Shaw Nature Reserve - Wetlands Trail

Our MOBOT membership allows for free entry to Shaw Nature Reserve so the boys and I decided to take advantage. The weather has been unseasonably cool these past several days. Normally we hunker down, but when it's this nice we have to get out and stretch our legs a bit.

The nice lady at the visitor's center recommended the board walk so that's what we did.

First, you walk through a large field with beautiful wildflowers blooming on either side.

[caption id="attachment_3894" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bee Balm[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3895" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Rose Milkweed[/caption]

Then you get to a wooded spot with an observation deck. We didn't see anything especially worth observing this day, but it was nice to get out of the sun for a bit.



After another walk through a field, we came to the boardwalk around a pond.



It was absolutely beautiful. I took a ton of pictures and will process more later. The fields were bursting with all kinds of beauty. This year, all around this area, we have a plethora of wildflowers. Queen Anne's Lace, Coneflowers, Bee Balm, Daylillies, and so much more. It's really stunning.

It was near dinner time when we were done so we headed straight home, but I think the boys and I will go back and try and do each hike over the course of the coming year. None are terribly long and they all explore different areas of the reserve. I'm so grateful to live in such a beautiful place!