Natural History Wanderings

Oregon Wildflowers just posted new wildflower report:

Catherine Creek  Eastern Washington (4/13/14)  The camas lilies are in full bloom. Also saw plenty rosy plectritis and buckwheat (I think that is the name), a few bi-colored lilies, prairie stars, a very few shooting stars on lower trail, desert parsley, hound’s tongue and blanketflower. The grass widows are all gone, but it looks like it was a good year. Lupine look like they will bloom in about two weeks. I looked for chocolate lilies and couldn’t tell if what I saw had already bloomed or has a bit to go. Too much poison oak to get too close. Oh and the larkspur are also at their end. A couple told us they saw dutchman’s breeches but we couldn’t find them. Again, too much poison oak. Great hike, thoug

the Cove Palisades State Park  at Lake Billy Chinook (4/14/14) is slowly waking up from winter. The balsam root (Balsamorhiza) is blooming and is adding a beautiful hint of gold to the hills.

Eagle Creek 4/13/14) It’s prime wildflower time on Eagle Creek. Flowers seen: glacier lily (most I’ve ever seen on the trail), Calypso Orchid, Larkspur, Shooting Star, monkey flowers (the tiny ones), Chocolate Lily.