Saddle Mountain, Clatsop County, OR: The weather forecaster promised a sunny day so Marvin and I headed for Saddle Mountain in search of the Oregon Fetid Adder’s Tongue (aka Slink Lily). It turned out to be cool and overcast… perfect for photography… and we weren’t disappointed.
Closeup of the Slink Lily flower.
Toward the end of our field trip a light drizzle materialized but it didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for spending the day in the outdoors.
byLarry
La Grande OR: On the return trip from La Grande I decided to exit I-84 to follow highway 244 to Ukiah and follow the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway to Heppner. About 5 miles out of Ukiah the road 53 to Heppner was barricaded and closed to all vehicles except snowmobiles. Yes, there was a sign saying the road was closed but I didn’t believe it… unfortunately it was true. What now.
I followed Highway 395 south to Long Creek finding a few buttercups in bloom roadside.
At Long Creek I turned north to Monument and then connected with highway 19 at Kimberly then followed the John Day river downstream.
I stopped roadside to stretch my legs and found this Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica).
Doctors recommend drivers stop every 50 miles and walk around the car. I choose to look for wildflowers.
byLarry
La Grande OR: Crossing the Blue Mountains on I-84 I noticed scraps of snow roadside. Elevation at the crest is 4, 193 feet. Summit road exits about 12 miles from La Grande and leads the way into some of the finest wildflower territory in Oregon. This day the road was closed about a mile and a half from the freeway because of snow. Snow mobiles only… a park permit is necessary until April 30th. I’ll try again later.
These two lichens growing on a dead pine limb caught my eye.
byLarry
Rainier OR: Marvin and I examined his backyard for moss species. We found a couple Trillium about to burst into bloom but it is still a bit early. According to Marvin’s log they are found on March 15th and today is the 14th.
Then we wandered down to the Beaver Creek canyon near Delena. Not much action there yet although we found a few Trillium in full bloom.
Marvin noticed this beauty, a hazelnut pistillate bloom. The staminate flower is a delicate looking catkin and will be found on the same plant. Why didn’t I take a picture of it? A light breeze was blowing and I couldn’t get it to hold still for a picture.
byLarry
Lyle WA: What a difference a week will make. Marvin and I drove to Catherine Creek today. A strong breeze (15 mph) didn’t help in photographing the flowers but wind sheltered areas gave us a chance. The Grass Widows were a little past prime but we found plenty of opportunities. Oregon Sunshine were in bloom as well as Yellow Bells.
We were delighted to find this tiny Mimulus growing on a rocky bank.
Whitlow-grass was blooming in profusion… and we found a number of mosses including the one I couldn’t get to behave last week. It was a good day.
byLarry