Oh So Close!

Oh so close!  One more navy Peacock to finish and "O Beautiful" to stitch over one.  It is no surprise that I've left the over one stitching until last.  But soon "Free Bird" will be "Completed Bird".

It's Wednesday once again...let's take a walk!

This is Oregon Boxwood (Paxistima myrsinites).  An Oregon native, it grows in shaded woods, openings, and at edge of meadows at all mid elevations.  I found this small plant at the edge of a meadow.   

...and speaking of meadows...They are now brown with white accents from Queen Anne's Lace.

In the shade, mosses and lichens rule supreme.  This is Bottle Moss (Amphidium lapponicum).  The plants are olive-green to light green and dense, growing in cushions spreading and somewhat curved backward when moist, contorted when dry.  Found on moist rock cliffs and trees.

I spied a couple of cherries - I expect soon a bird will find them too.

Thought it remains Summer for another month, these Douglas Fir cones are a sign of impending Autumn. 

I liked the contrast of the tan Vetch seed pods against the green blackberries leaves.

This is Methuselah's Beard Lichen (Usnea longissima).  It is found over various trees and shrubs in open, well-ventilated forests; infrequent, but locally abundant. We have one Oak tree in particular that is draped in long strands of this lichen.  

I found a few more Filbert or Hazelnut (Filbert Betulaceae) seed pods.  Perhaps we'll have a small nut harvest this year!

That's it for our walk today - it is supposed to be very warm (90F) so I think this virtual walk is as active as I'll be!