Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A Walk in the Rain ...
Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus
Yesterday I was inspired (No, Owen, I hadn't planned on going for a walk in the rain yesterday) to go for a walk. A misty rain was falling ...
I noticed each thimbleberry blossom in one section of the woods had a tiny beetle in the middle. Every time I tried to get my little point-n-shoot camera close enough for a shot, they would drop off and disappear.
Except one. It didn't even notice that I was there!
Yesterday I was inspired (No, Owen, I hadn't planned on going for a walk in the rain yesterday) to go for a walk. A misty rain was falling ...
I noticed each thimbleberry blossom in one section of the woods had a tiny beetle in the middle. Every time I tried to get my little point-n-shoot camera close enough for a shot, they would drop off and disappear.
Except one. It didn't even notice that I was there!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Deer in Dale's Field
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Pine Cone Shadows - Shadow Shot Sunday
The rain here stopped for a short time ...
The sun briefly dried the ground.
That's when I found these fallen pinecones ...
And their faithful sidekick shadows!
To see shadows from around the world, please visit Hey Harriet - and participate in Shadow Shot Sunday!
The sun briefly dried the ground.
That's when I found these fallen pinecones ...
And their faithful sidekick shadows!
To see shadows from around the world, please visit Hey Harriet - and participate in Shadow Shot Sunday!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Rhododendron and Pine Tree
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Hairy Cat's Ear
Hairy Cat's-Ear, Hypochaeris radicata
I'm not sure how these interesting weeds got their name, at least the "Cat's-ear" part.
The "hairy" part is because the leaves, which are basal (at the bottom of the plant - on the ground) are "hairy" on both sides.
The flowers are yellow.
I like the way this one caught the light and shadows,
and appears to be black around the edges ...
Monday, May 17, 2010
Forest Critters
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Wild Rose
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
A Magical Walk in the Woods, Part 2
In the parking lot, a female killdeer feigned an injury to lead me away from her babies.
She made an odd warbling sound to make it realistic.
I skirted the area where her young were barely visible in the grass ...
and went into the forest.
Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum
Wild ginger is making a comeback in the canyon.
I had never seen it flower ...
When I came across a patch of these lemony-ginger scented plants, I gently moved aside the distinctive heart-shaped leaves and found this beautiful bloom.
Wild ginger is making a comeback in the canyon.
I had never seen it flower ...
When I came across a patch of these lemony-ginger scented plants, I gently moved aside the distinctive heart-shaped leaves and found this beautiful bloom.
Broad-leaved Starflower, Trientalis latifolia
There are so many of these starflowers blooming in the woods. The flower stalk is so dainty, I don't know how this flower is held up!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
A Magical Walk in the Woods, Part 1
False Solomon's Seal, Smilacina racemosa
Until I saw the macro, I had never seen one of these flowers up close.
It's kind of strange ... but beautiful!
Hooker's Fairybells, Disporum hookeri
They live up to their name ... well, the fairybell part anyway!
Most of these plants I've seen are small, maybe 6 inches tall.
This year, I found two plants that are over 3 feet tall!
Yellow Wood Violet, Viola glabella
These bright and beautiful "Johnny-Jump-Ups" are some of the first forest flowers to brighten the woods after winter.
They are usually gone by now, but all things seem to be different this year!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Scotch Broom , Cytisus scoparius
I know it's not native to this area.
In fact, it's considered an invasive species!
But I couldn't resist the beauty of these beautiful golden-yellow blossoms.
The Scotch Broom was brought to Vancouver Island in 1850 by Captain Walter Colquhoun. Of the seeds he planted, 3 germinated. All of the plants that are invading the West Coast are descendants of these three plants. The seeds and pods contain toxic alkaloids which have been known to 'depress the heart and nervous system'.
The flowers really are striking, though!
In fact, it's considered an invasive species!
But I couldn't resist the beauty of these beautiful golden-yellow blossoms.
The Scotch Broom was brought to Vancouver Island in 1850 by Captain Walter Colquhoun. Of the seeds he planted, 3 germinated. All of the plants that are invading the West Coast are descendants of these three plants. The seeds and pods contain toxic alkaloids which have been known to 'depress the heart and nervous system'.
The flowers really are striking, though!
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