Sunday May 03, 2009
The spring canopy closes over us as we enter the forest. I keep my sweater on under dappled shade.
PLANTS:
Acid-green Big-leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) blossoms are scattered over the trail. I try not to crush them underfoot, but there are too many. Western Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) trees in bloom on the west side of the ridge, just budding on the east side.
Last year's Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) cones falling.
Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) has leafed out throughout the forest, its fruit beginning to set. Salmonberry (Rubus spactabilis) is in full magenta bloom. Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) flowers are few this year, and only on the most protected plants. Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) in bloom. Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) throwing out new growth, the new stems and leaves sharply fragrant to the touch. Baldhip Rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) leafing out, as are Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor) and Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia).
A few Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) are beginning to show new growth. Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) in full sweet fragrant blossom. Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is slow to leaf out this spring.
Fringecup (Tellema grandifolia) flower stems have uncurled in spikes above the leaves, the blossoms just opening. False mitrewort (Tiarella trifoliata) will be late this year. Large geum (Geum macrophyllum) just beginning to flower. Starflower (Trientalis latifolia) leaves shine on the forest floor, the flower buds just beginning to appear. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is thigh high in some places. Pathfinder (Adenocaulon bicolor) are slow this year; there are not as many as in past years. Fairy Lanterns (Disporum hookeri) leafed out. Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea alpina) fills the niches on the forest floor.
Dewberry (Rubus ursinus) beginning to sprawl across the duff. Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) leafed out.
Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) covers the forest floor in some areas. Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) stand waist high in some places. Sword fern (Polystichum munitum) almost unfurled; last year's fronds never quite recovered from the crushing weight of two week's snowpack. Licorice Fern (Polypodium vulgare) fading. Deer fern (Blechnum spicant) still dormant.
BIRDS:
In the forest -
Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Barred Owl, Rufous Hummingbird, Winter Wren, Bewick's Wren, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, American Crow, Steller's Jay, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, Hutton's Vireo, Robin, Hermit Thrush, Song Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling.
By the lake -
Pied-billed Grebe, Bufflehead, Gadwall, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, Canada Goose, American Crow, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Vaux Swift, Glaucous-winged Gull.
ANIMALS:
Coyote scat on the spine trail near the Grandfather tree. Fresh, with compacted grey hair but no bone fragments, probably Black Rat.
From a Barred Owl pellet under the roost tree, jawbones from a single Trowbridge Shrew.
Western Gray Squirrel.
Photo: Sword Fern, unfurling. Copyright 2009. C. M. Alexander
The spring canopy closes over us as we enter the forest. I keep my sweater on under dappled shade.
PLANTS:
Acid-green Big-leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) blossoms are scattered over the trail. I try not to crush them underfoot, but there are too many. Western Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) trees in bloom on the west side of the ridge, just budding on the east side.
Last year's Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) cones falling.
Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) has leafed out throughout the forest, its fruit beginning to set. Salmonberry (Rubus spactabilis) is in full magenta bloom. Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) flowers are few this year, and only on the most protected plants. Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) in bloom. Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) throwing out new growth, the new stems and leaves sharply fragrant to the touch. Baldhip Rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) leafing out, as are Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor) and Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia).
A few Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) are beginning to show new growth. Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) in full sweet fragrant blossom. Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is slow to leaf out this spring.
Fringecup (Tellema grandifolia) flower stems have uncurled in spikes above the leaves, the blossoms just opening. False mitrewort (Tiarella trifoliata) will be late this year. Large geum (Geum macrophyllum) just beginning to flower. Starflower (Trientalis latifolia) leaves shine on the forest floor, the flower buds just beginning to appear. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is thigh high in some places. Pathfinder (Adenocaulon bicolor) are slow this year; there are not as many as in past years. Fairy Lanterns (Disporum hookeri) leafed out. Enchanter's Nightshade (Circaea alpina) fills the niches on the forest floor.
Dewberry (Rubus ursinus) beginning to sprawl across the duff. Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) leafed out.
Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) covers the forest floor in some areas. Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) stand waist high in some places. Sword fern (Polystichum munitum) almost unfurled; last year's fronds never quite recovered from the crushing weight of two week's snowpack. Licorice Fern (Polypodium vulgare) fading. Deer fern (Blechnum spicant) still dormant.
BIRDS:
In the forest -
Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Barred Owl, Rufous Hummingbird, Winter Wren, Bewick's Wren, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, American Crow, Steller's Jay, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, Hutton's Vireo, Robin, Hermit Thrush, Song Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling.
By the lake -
Pied-billed Grebe, Bufflehead, Gadwall, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, Canada Goose, American Crow, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Vaux Swift, Glaucous-winged Gull.
ANIMALS:
Coyote scat on the spine trail near the Grandfather tree. Fresh, with compacted grey hair but no bone fragments, probably Black Rat.
From a Barred Owl pellet under the roost tree, jawbones from a single Trowbridge Shrew.
Western Gray Squirrel.
Photo: Sword Fern, unfurling. Copyright 2009. C. M. Alexander
posted by C. M. Alexander at 6:51 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home