Spanish Clover, Lotus purshianus

Growing along the railroad tracks near the train station on Yacolt Creek in SW Washington, this member of the Pea family has very small flowers that are easy to miss.

Saddle Mushroom, Helvella elastica

 I found this odd looking mushroom near Moulton Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington.  Many thanks to lycopus on gardenweb.com, name-that-plant forum for the ID.

Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica

This is one annoying plant!  No friend to hikers, stinging hairs contain formic acid that irritate the skin when touched even lightly.

 Flower closeup:

Stinging hairs:

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella

Found this dragonfly resting on a Foxglove plant in the front yard.

Korean Fir, Abies koreana

After planting seeds over 10 years ago, this small tree is finally producing purple cones.  I will post another picture when the cones are larger and hopefully more colorful.  The Korean Fir, although not a NorthWest native, has soft needles that are white on the underside, attractive cones, pleasing aroma, and symmetric shape.

Rattlesnake Plantain, Goodyera oblongifolia

I have been keeping an eye on this particular orchid plant for quite some time and it is finally sending up a flower stalk.  In a few weeks I hope to add a picture of the flowers.

6-10-2012 update: The flower stock is now about 5" tall

6-29-2012 update: about 12" now

7-22-2012 update:

Scotch Broom, Cytisus scoparius

Although it is considered a nonnative invasive, Scotch Broom does have attractive flowers.

Columbia Windflower, Anemone deltoidea

What a difference a week makes.  Last Saturday, none of the Windflowers were in bloom; this weekend there were a lot!

Flower for next week:

6-10-2012, Here is what it looks like after the petals are gone:

Chickweed Monkey-Flower, Mimulus alsinoides

I found these small flowers growing in between the steps leading to a waterfall in the area.

Yellow Glacier Lily, Erythronium grandiflorum

On a recent hike in the Columbia River Gorge, this is the only specimen I could find of this pretty flower.

Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum

Found these native perennials growing out of rock crevices near Lucia Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington

American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Also known as  Water Ouzel, these chicks were waiting for Mom to feed them from their well camouflaged nest which was perched on a rocky ledge above the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington.

Here is a closeup:

Food delivery:

Common Camas, Camassia quamash

In the midst of hundreds of blue-petaled Common Camas, upstream of Lucia Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington, there are a couple of plants with white flowers.

Wood Saxifrage, Saxifraga mertensiana

Found this flower growing on a wet, rock ledge in the Moulton Falls area on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington.

Sticky Cinquefoil, Potentilla glandulosa

Growing in a moist rocky area upstream of Moulton Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington, this native perennial is commonly found from California to British Columbia.

Great Hound's Tongue, Cynoglossum grande

It was very windy along Catherine Creek, but this native member of the Borage family held still long enough for me to take this picture.

Pungent Desert Parsley, Lomatium grayi

 Other than accidentally bring a Tick home with us, it was a very enjoyable time looking at the flowers, such as this native member of the Carrot family along Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. 

Small-Flowered Trillium, Trillium parviflorum

This species of Trillium, growing near Lucia Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington, is not nearly as common as Trillium ovatum (see April 8, 2012 blog entry)

WesternTrillium, Trillium ovatum

This clump of Trilliums is annoyingly right in the pathway next to the creek on our property but the flowers make it worthwhile.

4-11-15 update:
Several years ago, this plant had just a single stock, but this year it really expanded-

Beaver 1, Alder 0

The game isn't over yet, but it would appear that the days are numbered for this 12" diameter, Red Alder, Alnus rubra.

White Fawn Lily, Erythronium oregonum

I think that this lily, growing on a moist rock outcropping, is the epitome of grace.




  
I went back on 4-22-2012 and they were in full bloom:

Indian Pipe, Monotropa uniflora

While walking through one of my favorite places, Moulton Falls Park in SW Washington, I went past the spot where I had previously photographed Indian Pipe (6-29-2010 blog post) while it was growing in Summer. Now is too early in the year for new growth, but these seed heads are an interesting remnant of last years plants.

Streambank Arnica, Arnica amplexicaulis

 Upstream of Moulton Falls on the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington is an interesting area.  Year-round springs run through a rocky area which support a water loving plant community that thrives with virtually no soil.  Streambank Arnica is one of those plants.