Monday, May 31, 2010

More Critters!


Bee on Oxeye Daisy, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum


Beetle on Vetch, Vicia americana


Tree frog looking at me

If you would like to see my Memorial Day tribute, please visit Random Stuff.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

More Abandoned Rhododendrons


There are easily a dozen rhododendron plants over at the abandoned mega-church property across the street.

This one caught my eye ... maybe it was the lush dense green of the background. Or maybe it was because of the 3. Three bunches of flowers, and three shoots of new growth.


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!



Oh. Now I know why.


Bee and Nootka Rose, Rosa nutkana


Cut-leaved Geranium, Geranium dissectum


After this shot the rain started coming down really hard, so I packed up my camera and went home.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Deer in Dale's Field


Look at what I saw in Uncle Dale's field!

We were blessed to grow up next door to Grammie and Uncle Dale.

(when I say 'next door', that's country talk for 'up the path, through the gate, through the pasture, through the second gate, between the trees' ... then Grammie's house!)


They were just standing there ... watching me.
Isn't he gorgeous?


She was a little nervous, but they stayed for a while,
then slowly ambled away ...

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!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Rhododendron and Pine Tree


Sissie and I went for a walk on Monday.


We found lush rhododendrons at the abandoned mega-church,
Blooming profusely despite being untended these past 5 years ...


Beth saw this one first, the vibrant color of the flower, the rich texture of the pine tree it was resting against ...

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


Yesterday's walk was perfect - not too hot, not too cool.

I saw so many critters - like this beautiful moth.


It took a while, but I finally managed to get this bumblebee to sit still long enough ...


Millipede - Harpaphe


This shiny golden beetle stood out amongst the surrounding forest debris.


And the spider has found a beautiful new home.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day, and week to come.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Ladybug - On the Move!


While walking in the woods today, I came across this ladybug, strolling across a leaf. It was early evening and the light was fading fast.
I snapped her picture ... FLASH!
She fell over backward off the leaf.

That's the same reaction I have when someone takes MY picture ...

Thursday, May 13, 2010

15 Minutes With a Lady (Bug)


I found her near a gravel road, traveling fast.
I mean SHE was traveling fast - I was walking.


I followed her progress, and snapped a few pictures along the way.


It was a fun 15 minutes, then I left her in peace
To go on with her day,
While I went on with mine.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Wild Rose


The week before last these wild roses were just starting to leaf out.
The remnants of last year's rose hips were still clinging to the branches.


Today the woods is home to the beautiful delicate pink blossoms
of the Wild Rose.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Deer Butterfly ...


We startled each other, the yearling and I.


But she didn't seem that nervous.


Until Mom showed up ...


And led her away.


I turned my attention to other things ...
And found
More Beauty.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mothers Day


A bouquet of tender beauty
To Mothers everywhere ...

Because We all Have one,
Are one,
Know one.

Happy Mothers Day!

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.


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!

Fendler's Waterleaf, Hydrophyllum fendleri

In the deepest part of the woods, these waterleaf plants have not yet begun to blossom. Towards the top of the canyon, however, a little sunlight has created this cascade of fireworks!


Western Trumpet Honeysuckle, Lonicera ciliosa

This beautiful orange flower has always been one of my favorites.
I remember as a child we would pluck the individual flowers out taste the nectar. Now I leave these beauties for the hummingbirds!

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

Bye Bye Dandelion Fluff


The dandelion, it's cheerful beauty spent,
Seeds with their parachutes joyfully sent.

This isn't the end, oh no indeed ...
As long as the dandelion fluff has a seed.



Monday, May 3, 2010

Wild Flag


Wild-Flag, Iris setosa

I have been waiting for these all spring ...
They used to be everywhere around here, but now I only rarely see them.
This one was blooming just down the road ...
In fact, right next to the road!


Saturday, May 1, 2010

Scotch Broom , Cytisus scoparius



Scotch Broom.
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!