March 2008

Spring is finally here, with Indian Plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) blooming being one of the first signs that winter is ending soon.  It is a large shrub with bitter berries and the smell of the flowers is described in Plants of the Pacific Northwest by Pojar and MacKinnon as "something between watermelon rind and cat urine"! (Photo on right by John Davis).

 

September 1, 2007

  •  A Tansy Ragwort plant (Senecio jacobaea) was found (and removed) just outside Forest Park.  This plant is a class B noxious weed by the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.  It is toxic to horses and cattle.  More information here.

July 7, 2007 - "Save the Trees Day"

"Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven."  -Rabindranath Tagore, Fireflies, 1928

  • During the nature walk, we went on the path behind the baseball field.  This area shows why cherry laurel is an invasive species.  There is very little else there.
  • A mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) was spotted in Forest Park by a volunteer coming to the work party.
  • Berries are plentiful! Huckleberries, thimbleberries, salmonberries, elderberries, blackberries (native and non-native) can be found.  Don't forget to leave some for the birds!
  • At the work party, we went around and created "survivor rings" around the trees, to kill the ivy growing up into the canopy.

 

June 2, 2007
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more." - John Burroughs

  • Lots of starflowers (Trientalis sp.) are currently in bloom in the park.  They're a small perennial plant with whorled leaves (multiple leaves connected around the stem at one point, in a circle).
  • At the work party, we found a dark, slightly orange salamander wandering around.  No one was able to identify it, and unfortunately, we didn't get a picture.  Looks like I may need to bring an amphibian guide to the work parties now too (or a herpetologist - does anyone know one?). 
    •  Update 9/22/07: it's been suggested that what we found was a Rough-skinned Newt.  More information here.
  • It's time for the flycatchers! This past month I've seen many of these grayish birds.  Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewees, Willow Flycatchers are all be around now.  With most flycatchers, it's easiest to identify them by their calls or songs.  For instance, the Willow Flycatcher seems to say "Fitz-bew" and the Olive-sided Flycatchers seems to say, "quick three beers."

May 5, 2007

  • During the nature walk on May 5th we found many western trilliums (Trillium ovatum) in bloom.  See the plants page.  The seeds of this plant are dispersed by ants.
  • Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) now has white flowers on it.  You can recognize this plant by it's large, fuzzy leaves.  This might be a plant to use for toilet paper if you found yourself in the backcountry in need.
  • Last week I heard the familiar song of the Black-headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) near Pigeon creek.  It's song is similar to a Robin's but is more elegant.  Both the male and the female take turns sitting on the nest.  Sometimes you can find the male singing on top of the nest (male and female are dimorphic, the male is more flashy with bright orange and black).  I wouldn't think this would be the best strategy for protecting the nest, but then again, who would want to mess with his large, grosbeak?