Wednesday's Walk

It's a lovely spring day.

The Douglas fir have a good crop of cones.

I wondered what the function of these tiny brown cones might be.

They are male cones.  The larger cones a female seed cones.

Here's what I discovered:

"There are two types of cones on most Pacific NW conifers: seed cones and pollen cones. These are female and male reproductive organs, respectively. Pollen (from the pollen cones / male cones) has to reach the ovules (in the seed cones / female cones) in order to fertilize them, creating seeds. Typically, seeds are tucked under the scales of seed cones. On most but not all conifers of the Pacific NW, pollen cones and seed cones grow on the same tree, in which case the tree is called "monoecious."" (Article taken from: https://www.treespnw.com/resources/2017/4/11/what-are-cones)

I think they are contributing to our tree pollen woes!

Leafing out.

New green leaves.

Hawthorn 

Big Leaf Maple

Our native iris tenax is in bloom.

Violet and green such a lovely color contrast.

Hope you enjoyed today's walk.