The Weekly Walk - Part One

As we approach mid-month, the world is an explosion of green.

Let's take a long, leisurely walk and check it out.

Are you going to join us Mr. Bunny, Mr. Quail?

The Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) is in bloom.

There are tall stands of Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) along both side of the Big Creek.  The fruit is dark red or purple to black and an important source of food for many birds.  

The low growing Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is growing happily along the banks of the Big Creek along with the Chokecherries and Vine Maple.

One of the last trees to leaf out, the bright green leaves of the Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) are worth the wait.

The fronds of the Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) have unfurled and the plants are clean and bright green once again.

The ditch across from our driveway is a sea of Camas (Camassia quamash).  Last year I caught someone digging them up, as they sell for $6-$8 a plant.  I persuaded them to desist.  

Here's a plant with a funny name - False Bugbane (Trautvetteria caroliniensis).  It likes shady, moist areas.  This was growing along side a natural seep.

The Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is a common low-growing shrub.  If you are into Latin you'll know from the word rubus, that it will produce fruit.  The fruit resembles raspberries.  

This is one of my favorite delicate Spring beauties.  It's the Northern Inside out Flower (Vancouveria hexandra) - another shade lover.

It's a rather gray morning, there's only one turtle on the Quarry Pond log.  But look who else is here!  A big old Bullfrog!

There must be a half a dozen or more different wild peas blooming now.  I like this one best.

Back and forth I go - is it Snowbrush or Ocean Spray...

Scotch Broom is an invasive non-native and is considered a noxious weed.  We battle it constantly on our property.  Most of the plants have bright yellow flowers, some have yellow touched with red, but this combination is unusual and pretty too. 

This is Oregon Checkermallow (Sidalcea oregana).

This is Rose Checkermallow (Sidalcea malviflora ssp virgata). The two kinds of Mallow were growing side-by-side. I find them on a bank at the edge of the road.

There's more to see - we'll continue our walk tomorrow.