Marsh Violet, Viola palustris

Today I found a couple small patches of these native Violets growing at Lucia Falls County Park in SW Washington,  Unfortunately, they are growing in an area that is regularly mowed, so you have to be there are the right time to see them.

Sun Dog (Mock sun, Parhelion)

While hiking through the nearby forest in an unsuccessful attempt at finding some native vegetation/flowers to photograph I looked up in the sky and saw:

This glowing spot (Sun Dog) in the sky not too far from the sun is caused by sunlight refracting off of ice crystals high in the atmosphere.