Let's Take a Walk

While I'm still fussing and stewing about what my next "Small Stitch Project" might be... Let's Take A Walk!

I'm glad I strolled about the property early Tuesday morning, because around 4:00pm the skies opened up, the wind blew wildly - it poured...and hailed; and now our rain gauge has 1.0" of rain!

The color pallet this week - heavy on green and white.

The forest canopy is so very attractive in May.  The tall, bright-green Cottonwood glows against the far darker Douglas Fir. The Big Leaf Maples are unabashedly chartreuse, while the pale white Dogwoods light up the under-canopy. All this green and the Ash and the Oak have yet to leaf out!

I just said the Douglas Fir were the darkest of green, but now I'm going to contradict myself, as the year's new growth is a startlingly bright green - and feathery-soft to the touch. 

Here's a close up of one of our native Pacific Dogwoods (Cornus nuttallii) in bloom.

And hiding amongst the grasses the Mountain Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are in full bloom.

The Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is forming its large flowers...  

And while the Big Leaf Maples are done blooming, the bright red spent remnants are most attractive. 

Our ubiquitous native Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)

 looks its best in May with lovely green new fronds.

And I've discovered, we have Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) - everywhere!  The fruit of the Serviceberry is supposed to make good jelly.

Along our driveway, near our seasonal creeks, in the under-canopy of the forest, this deciduous shrub, with its white blossoms, is having A Big Shout Out right now!  Ironically, about 2 miles away there is a road called Serviceberry Road - now I know why!

Lastly, our final variety of Daffodil "Pheasant's Eye" (Peoticus recurvus) is now in bloom.  A small patch has begun to naturalize in one of our meadows - charming! 

I hope you've enjoyed our Wednesday Walk!