Glacier Lily: Erythronium grandiflorum

On June 5, 2018June 5, 2018 By Mike and Christy14 Comments

As quickly as the snow receded in early May the Glacier Lilies appeared to carpet the forest floor a beautiful yellow even before the grasses greened. Now only a month latter they have bloomed and done their thing. It’s hard to say how many photos we took of these wonderful flowers in just a few short weeks but they kept coming back to photograph them just a wee bit more more each and every day.

Here are a few chosen somewhat at random presented as a tribute to a wonderful wildflower.

All through May they kept us company on rainy days

And sunny days as well.

Simply Spring

On May 24, 2018May 23, 2018 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

A morning walk springs to life as fresh new leaves and vibrant colors paint the still brisk morning air.

The surprise of the day was a Dragonfly lurking about on wild roses trimmed short by the deer. Not much prey for this little predator so early in the season but don’t worry the bugs will come.

And even the coniferous trees were getting in on the action this morning.

Nothing fancy today….simply spring.

Acorn Woodpecker

On May 20, 2018May 13, 2018 By Mike and Christy22 Comments

Acorn Woodpecker

It is always fun to see species not common to where you live when you travel. Wonderful colors on this acorn woodpecker which was photographed along the coast in northern CA.

Pika

On May 12, 2018 By Mike and Christy19 Comments

A little Pika peeking out from the last of winters snow surveying his domain.

The numbers of Pika are decreasing across the Western United States and climate change, habitat loss and other factors are likely involved. Hearing their chirps while hiking in the mountains is a sound I enjoy and I hope it does not just become a memory.

https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/97/6/1495/2628942
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180501085303.htm

Springing

On May 11, 2018 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

With the last of the snow melted life is springing up in all shapes and sizes. Flowers, tress, grasses and water rushing to fill the streams. In addition we sighted the first Chipmunk of the year a few days ago taking a break and enjoying their lunch as the sun warms the rocks.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Across the forest floor

On May 10, 2018May 10, 2018 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

Finding their way through a massive landscape without a map a forest beetle enjoys the ride across the forest floor.

Small and smaller

On May 9, 2018 By Mike and Christy15 Comments

Tiny white wildflowers gracing the forest floor measuring no more than a quarter inch in diameter become a great big world to this tiny mantis that I did not even notice in the photograph until I downloaded the photos. just another reminder that the abundance of life one our wonderful planet is small and sometimes even smaller than we see.

Fledglings

On May 6, 2018May 4, 2018 By Mike and Christy52 Comments

(Multiple Photos)
Well it had to happen. These two Great Horned Owl youngsters finally left the comfort of their nest cavity in an old Cottonwood tree. We first spotted a single young owl on this branch but just as we got out the camera a second flew down and joined the first. The second owl waddled around on the branch and got all cozy with their sibling who seemed a bit annoyed at having to share their perch.