Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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!

9 comments:

  1. The sheer amount of shades of green always amazes me. Nature wins every time.

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  2. Those mountain strawberries look superb.

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  3. Love taking nature walks with you!

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  4. Your area is lucious with green!!! I totally enjoyed my walk.
    ann

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  5. ooo I enjoyed our walk today :)never heard of that jelly before .... love mouse xxxx

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  6. Thanks for stopping by...we are so lucky to live in a place that has so much natural beauty...inspite of the stupid rain!!! People who don't live here think it rains all the time...this year I might believe they were right. We are still fortunate to live in this wonderful valley.

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  7. Beautiful pictures of absolutely gorgeous scenery.

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  8. Love the pictures! Your potted plants are looking great too! ~ Ellen

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  9. So many different shades of green...just beautiful! It is rainy here right now too!

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Thank you all. I appreciate that you've read my blog and are taking the time to comment.