I was able to hold off for five days before I succumbed to the call of The Pocket.  This time I enjoyed the company of Joseph, who was a great companion, and seemed to really enjoy seeing and learning a bit about the wildflowers, as well as the opportunity to try to track down and capture some water striders. 

Upon arrival we headed to the right fork on the boardwalk.  One of the first things I noticed was the significant increase in the number of clusters of Virginia Bluebell leaves, and to my delight, one of the patches showed a cluster of blue buds, signifying that the blooms will be with us soon.  There were, of course, many more Toothworts and Hepatica blooming, but the most exciting find was a cluster of four Bloodroot with their white buds at the end of the stem, and the basal leaves just starting to uncurl.

There were also a few more chickweed plants in blossom than previously, and there were some plants that were just starting to bud that I don’t recognize.  If you know what this is, please let me know; comment or email.  Note that there are two sepals on the blossom, and there is a also another cluster of buds as yet to start opening.  (Editor Note: I was subsequently able to identify the plant as Carolina Spring Beauty.)