Natural History Wanderings

Pacific Northwest Wildflowers has posted several wildflower reports for the Columbia River Gorge for 2015:

February 8, 2015: Paved trail along the lower section of Catherine Creek – Columbia Desert Parsley (Lomatium columbianum) and pungent desert parsley (Lomatium grayi) are beginning to bloom here. Look for them along the lowest sections of the paved trail. Salt and pepper (Lomatium piperi) are very numerous along the paved trail. They may be nearing their peak bloom at that elevation. Douglas’ grass widows (Olsynium douglasii) are becoming abundant along the trail, with many multi-bloom clumps. I’d guess that they will reach their peak bloom below the parking area within the next 10-14 days. Smooth prairiestars (Lithophragma glabrum) are becoming more noticeable below the Catherine Creek trailhead. The first says phoebe was observed perching on fence posts along the parking area. Watch for Lewis’ woodpeckers which are displaying and chasing each other amongst the oaks. Occasional bald eagles should be seen over SR14 and the Columbia River, or perched on trees in lower Major Creek. Keep an ear out for the resident western bluebird population that overwinters in this area.

February 7, 2015: Klickitat Trail, Lyle Trailhead to MP 2.5 – Columbia Desert Parsley (Lomatium columbianum) was observed beginning to bloom on the cut banks above the Klickitat Trail upstream from the Yakima Nation fishery research buildings. Goldstars (Crocidium multicaule), pungent desert parsley (Lomatium grayi) and white alder (Alnus incana) were also observed in bloom here. Leaves of some large Columbia Gorge lupines (Lupinus latifolius var. thompsonianus) and smaller barestem desert parsley (Lomatium nudicaule) were also observed. They’ll be several weeks away from blooming. To see the goldstars, it helps to have binoculars to look upslope with. To see the better wildflower display, park at the Fisher Hill Bridge and walk about a mile upstream from there along the Klickitat Trail. About 2 dozen eagles can still be seen perched or flying around the mouth of the Klickitat River at Lyle. Common mergansers and common goldeneyes are common on the river, as are red-tailed hawks. Native lady beetles, small moths, bumblebees, honeybees, flies and numerous small pollinating insects were observed, including many on the columbia desert parsley blooms. Early butterflies should be observed here soon! The first lyme disease carrying deer ticks were picked off several of us today. Time to do a daily tick check when you get home! The Klickitat River is at flood stage so stay away from it. It rose a good foot during the several hours we were there.

February 6, 2015: West Bank of the lower Deschutes River (just upstream of the Heritage boat launch) – The first blooming yellow bells (Fritillaria pudica) was observed in bloom in weedy grasslands above the west bank of the Deschutes River.

February 5, 2015: Labyrinth Trail – The first pungent desert parsley (Lomatium grayi) were observed in bloom in the lower Labyrinth today.

January 31, 2015: Catherine Creek – The buds containing “pussywillow” catkins are beginning to open in Catherine Creek where the road to the lower end of the arch first reaches the creek. Still too early to identify which willow species.