February 2nd, 2012


Indian Plum “Oemleria cerasformis” Rose Family (Rosaceae). Perennial, shrub 3-15′ tall, plants have either male flowers or female flowers, flowers greenish white or white, fragrant but somewhat skunky, male plants have stamens, female plants have flowers with pistils and produce edible plum colored fruit are enjoyed by the birds but they are not a favorite for humans. Blooms in early spring along forest edges from the Cascade Mts. to the coast in OR & WA. Flower photo: Near Rainier, OR 3/13/2010 & Fruit photo: 4/27/2007
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February 1st, 2012

Skunk Cabbage “Lysichiton americanus”. Arum Family (Araceae). Perennial, plant 1-3′ tall, many yellow green flowers on a stalk (spadix) surrounded by a large yellow bracts (spath), leaves 1-2′ long. Blooms early spring west of the Cascade Mts. Plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which will cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth and throat. Photo: Near Coos Bay, OR 3/31/2006
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January 31st, 2012


Showy Milkweed “Asclepias speciosa” Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae) Perennial, Plant 1-4′ tall, flowers pinkish-purple. Blooms summer in dry open areas throughout Or and Eastern Wa. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on this plant but many varieties enjoy the nectar. The butterfly is a Pale Swallowtail “Papillio eurymedon”. Photo: Near Hog Creek, Grant County, OR 7/14/2006
Posted in Bugs, Plants-Native, View 07 July | 1 Comment »
January 30th, 2012


Golden Eagle “Aqula chrysaetos” Length 39″, wingspan 80″ and weight 10 lbs. Found in mountainous areas throughout the Pacific Northwest. Top Photo: N.W. Trek near Eatonville, WA just west of Mt Rainier. 11-01-2008. Bottom Photo: Near Burns, OR 12/20/2011
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January 29th, 2012
Tillamook Bay from Garibaldi, OR. The Coast Guard on their way out to the bar to keep watch on the flounder fishermen. Photo: 2/18/2008

Posted in Places-Scenic Views, View 02 February | No Comments »
January 26th, 2012

Yellow Bells “Fritillaria pudica” Yellow Bells, Lily Family (Liliaceae). Perennial, Small scaly bulbs, plant 4-10″ tall, bright clear yellow flowers turn orange to dull red as they age, early spring in moist areas that dry up in Summer. Cascade Mts. and eastward in OR & WA and the Siskiyous. Photo: Catherine Creek near Lyle, WA in the Columbia River Gorge 3/13/2007
Posted in Plants-Native, View 03 March | No Comments »
January 25th, 2012
Prostrate Ceanothus “Ceanothus prostratus” Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae) Prostate shrub 2-8′ wide, leaves green, leathery and conspicuously toothed, small blue to white flowers in many clusters. Blooms early summer in S.E. OR and in the OR Cascades. Photo: Near Mt Bachelor, OR 6/06/2011

Posted in Plants-Native, View 06 June | 2 Comments »
January 24th, 2012
Green Manzanita “Arctostaphylos patula” Heath Family (Ericaceae) Shrub, 3-7′ tall, leaves leathery and green, flowers pink and urn shaped, berries dark brown to black. Blooms late spring in the Oregon Cascades. Photo: Near Mt Bachelor, OR 6/07/2011

Posted in Plants-Native, View 06 June | No Comments »
January 23rd, 2012

Grass Widow “Olsynium douglasii var douglasii”, Iris Family (Iridaceae). Perennial, plants 6-12″ tall, flowers lavender, occasionally magenta or white, 3/4-1″ diameter, blooms in early spring in moist open areas that dry out in summer. Widespread in the Pacific Northwest with the exception of N.W. OR. and S.W. WA. Photo: Catherine Creek near Lyle, WA. 3/13/2007
Posted in Plants-Native, View 03 March | 1 Comment »
January 22nd, 2012
Carey’s Balsamroot “Balsamorhiza careyana” Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) Perennial, 8-24″ tall, leaves heart shaped with white venation, 8-13 yellow ray flowers. Blooms late spring in S.E. WA and N.E. OR. Photo: Near Stein’s Pillar east of Prineville, OR 6/062011 
Posted in Plants-Native, View 06 June | No Comments »