Rhododendrons in the rain

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A gardenful of rhododendrons—Washington’s state flower—in our local park in Leipzig. Something beautiful of home to break up the isolation of quarantine so far from home.

Spring walks

 

Like much of the world, we’re limited in our travels and consequent photo opportunities. Instead we’ve been enjoying walks in the city park near our home, especially with all the flowers and waterfowl. The family of coots swimming around the pond yesterday was a big highlight!

Redwood Spring

Fernald’s iris (Iris fernaldii)

California hedgenettle (Stachys bullata)

Redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana)

Fringe cups (Tellima grandiflora)

Chaparral pea (Pickeringia montana)

Lupine (possibly Silver lupine, Lupinus albifrons)

Sticky monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus)

Variable checkerspot chrysalis (Euphydryas chalcedona)

Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum)

Santa Cruz manzanita (Arctostaphylos andersonii)

Bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida)

Redwood violet (Viola sempervirens)

Redwood needles lower (background) and canopy (foreground)

Cramp balls fungus (Annulohypoxylon thouarsianum)

Redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana)

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, California, mid-May. The trail climbs from dense secondary redwood forest, to wet mixed conifer forest (redwood, Douglas fir, and hemlock), to sun-dappled oak trees, and finally sunny chaparral. The understory flowers also shift, from shade-tolerant violets and irises, to sun-loving lupines. The loop trail then returns along the creek back to redwood forest.

The Little Things

On a clear day, the hike to Hurricane Hill boasts views of the Olympic mountains, Vancouver Island, and even Mount Baker. Those who wander the trails on foggy days are offered sights much nearer and smaller, but no less spectacular.