Natural History Wanderings

Oregon Wildflowers has the following new reports for Washington and Oregon including the Columbia River Gorge:

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
the Golden Paintbrush is looking great, along with Oregon Iris and Common Camas are in full bloom. Also blooming are Rosy Plectritis, Saxifrage, Checker Mallow, and Western Buttercups.

Catherine Creek 
a quick visit to check on the Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)… I didn`t have time for the complete arch loop. I only saw one blooming, though there should be MANY more within the next 7-10 days.
The predominate flowers in the meadows near the parking area are Bicolored cluster lily (Triteleia grandiflora) and Meadow death camas (Zigadenus venenosus). Common camas (Camassia quamash) and profuse Rosy Plectritis (Plectritis congesta) are blooming in meadows next to the paved loop.

Memaloose Hills
Memaloose Hills are in full bloom with Balsamroot, Big-Head Clover, Small- and Large-Flowered Blue-Eyed Mary, Prairie Star, Chocolate Lily, and many others

Labyrinth
Bloom is near peak, except for Lupines which are just beginning. Many, many flowers, including Balsamroot, Big Head Waterleaf, Big Head Clover, Bugloss Fiddleneck, Desert Shooting Stars, Nuttall`s Larkspur, Sleeping Popcorn Flower, White Tritelia, and Sukdorf`s Desert Parsley – the air is heavy with the scent of the last! One of my favorite Hikes, with outstanding views.