California Poppies

 We got a bit of freedom back today in Washington. Fishing is allowed again, and most state parks are open. Most of the good ones are closed. No beaches, for example. And none of the great wildflower hikes are open yet either. This photo is in the vicinity of Catherine Creek, which is still closed. We drove down through Mosier. Balsam Root and Lupine are in peak at the higher elevations. Lower down things have moved on to California poppies and Bachelor's buttons. I'm definitely looking forward to the day when all trails and beaches are open again!

In the Bluebells

A scene from the NatureScaping demonstration gardens. I'm not sure the variety of bluebells, and I have to admit I'm also not sure on the variety of bee that was visiting. However, NatureScaping has a large structure where they keep and also sell mason bees (Blue Orchard). There was lots of busy bee activity in and out of the shed, and this guy has the dull brown look of a mason bee. I wasn't focusing my attention on him, although I saw him through my  lens. I adjusted my shutter speed to about 1/500 in hopes of catching him in action, but he's still a little blurry. 

On This Day

Ten year ago, I started 45 journal. Time sure flies! For my anniversary post, a beautiful scene at a local park. Thankfully our county parks have not closed, unlike state and federal parks and lands in Washington and Oregon. The trillium is in peak bloom right now,
carpeting the forest floor in this section of the park.

Clearing

This photo is from a walk I took a few weeks ago. I'm slow to post, and already it looks much more like spring here. Less brown, more green. And on this particular day, we were starting a welcome shift in weather pattern from less rain to more sun. I was hoping for a rainbow because it was that kind of day.

Another Beautiful Day

Good morning, first full day of spring! Glad you're back! :)

The Outside World

 Nature continues with its schedule, oblivious to our new, crazy virus life! I was sure glad to get out this morning and take a break from virus news, news, news and walk at the Tom McCall Nature Preserve Point Hike in Oregon. It's a steep hike, with many switch-backs, coming back repeatedly to the hill's edge overlooking the Columbia River. This vantage point was the most picturesque. Consulting my field guide, Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge (Russ Jolley), I think the foreground flowers are Columbia Desert Parsley (Lomatium columbianum). In the distance, the Rowena Point overlook. I saw a handful of people. We kept our "social" distance, but all so very happy to be out in the fresh air.

Winter Wonderland

Salmon Creek Sunrise

Mt. Hood in the background.

A Good Book

 Looks like the footbridge across Catherine Creek is just wide enough to cross without even looking up from the book you're reading...if you are one of those people who always brings a book on a hike.

At Memaloose

Wow, is Memaloose Hills in peak bloom right now! The light was so pretty this morning, slightly hazy which softens the sunny spots a bit, and hardly anyone on the trail in the early morning too. I came midday earlier in the week with my daughter and it was so crowded we could barely squeeze into a parking spot along the road. The only downside on this picture perfect morning was that my camera battery died just after I took this shot, and I was still heading out at this point. It really caught me off guard, as though I forgot that there was even such a thing as a camera battery! I contemplated driving around for a while and charging it in the car, but I had lots more to do and I didn't think that hazy light would last much longer anyway. 

Columbia Springs

 Trees budding, ground cover growing, and moss still glowing from all the rain,at Columbia Springs Nature Center. This area is mainly an environmental education center, and in fact during my visit a school bus was parked in the lot and students were collecting pond samples to analyze. I attended a workshop here last year on foraging, and I've meant to come back before now to explore the trails. It turns out there aren't many trails to explore, and my young puppy, Hazel, was not satisfied for exercise by the time we had given the center a good looking over. I did bring my scissors and gloves to collect nettle, but none to be found. The tiny ferns growing on the moss covered trees are edible though. Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) if you're interested.

Show Field

Some of the tulip varieties in the show field at the Holland America Bulb Farm 

in Woodland, Washington. 

Sunrise Oak

Beautiful oak tree along the edge of the marshy fields that run along the bend of the Columbia River. I came down to this area around sunrise looking for cranes. There were lots last week when Hazel and I were walking along the shoreline, but I couldn't find a one this morning. I guess they have probably moved on to their next stop to the north. Even though no cranes were sighted, it was a beautiful morning with a weak sunlight and low-slung fog hovering around in patches. The start of a pretty day.

In a Clearing

A little farm along the edge of the trail,

and a nice cheery red shed,

standing out in the fresh snow.

A Bright Snowy Day

On the trail in Brush Prairie. 

Calm, 31 degrees, and 2" of snow. 

Perfect for an early morning walk in the woods.