Thread-leaved sandwort (Arenaria capillaris) is a flowering perennial that grows in many ecozones. The height of the flowering plant is up to 30 cm tall, growing from a taproot. The leaves are mostly basal and are long and narrow. Two … Continue reading →
We hiked into alpine zones in Glacier National Park and enjoyed the impressive views of the Rogers Pass area. Along the way we stopped to enjoy some of the wildflowers in subalpine and alpine ecosystems. In high subalpine areas near … Continue reading →
Self-heal is usually spotted in middle elevations in open areas, near wet spots. Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) is a perennial in the mint family. Growing from fibrous roots and a woody base, stems rise 5 to 20 cm high. Leaves are … Continue reading →
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahense s. angustifolium) is a short perennial in the iris family. Leaves are basal and are long and narrow, almost grass-like. Flowers are blue to purple with a yellow eye. The petals have pointed tips. Blooms appear … Continue reading →
Queen’s Cup (Clintonia uniflora) is a perennial in the lily family. Clintonia grows from rhizomes and grows to about 15 cm. The flowering stalks have no leaves. Basal leaves are oblong, slightly shiny, sometimes lightly hairy, and fleshy to the … Continue reading →
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Continue reading →Elephant Hill Provincial Park has several rocky, treeless hills west and north of the Town of Ashcroft. All routes up the hill involve steep hiking on informal trails through the sagebrush and grassland. It is a dry and arid area … Continue reading →
On a cool late-November grey day we walked around McArthur Island. There are a number of large weeping willows (Salix × sepulcralis) on the island, now with no leaves. Old willow trunks often have distinct trunks and folded bark. Cottonwoods … Continue reading →
On a June day, we hiked into the hills above the end of Uplands Drive for exercise, exploration, and to enjoy Nature’s surprises. We spotted some yellow paintbrush(Castilleja sp.). This variety is usually red but at times we find orange … Continue reading →
We hiked a few trails through the forest on the north side of Maui. Along the way we saw lush growth and a few wildflowers, including two types of orchids in bloom. There are three types of orchids that … Continue reading →
On a windy day, paddling on any open body of water is not easy and less enjoyable, but we can paddle a short loop on smaller protected lakes. Usually I pick MCConnell, Stake, or Inks Lakes and do one or … Continue reading →
In the summer, we took the grandkids into the hills to find some fossils. We found a few, but also enjoyed the wildflowers along the way. Mariposa lilies were in bloom on the open hillsides. I knew where shalebeds are … Continue reading →