Salmon Berry, Rubus spectabilis

A common native perennial with flowers that open early in Spring and then give way to edible berries.

A rare double that I found growing along the East Fork of the Lewis River in SW Washington.

Fully ripe berry.

Purple deadnettle, Lamium purpureum

This annual member of the mint family has reddish leaves later in the season. The picture below was taken in January, 2010.

Same plant, picture taken February 28, 2010, shows attractive flowers.

Flower closeup:

Bird's Nest Fungus, Nidula niveo-tomentosa

I found this odd, 1/4" diameter, fungus growing on a 4-foot diameter log that had been down for a long time - it was covered in Pixie Cup Lichens. In Fall, Bird's Nest Fungi have spores inside the urn shaped fruiting body that resemble eggs in a nest. Unfortunately, it was too late in the season to photograph the spores.


Another empty "nest":

January 14, 2012 update
I finally found a nest with some eggs residing on a 1" diameter dead Elderberry branch:

Pixie drops

Recent rains placed tiny water drops inside the Pixie Cup lichen in our front yard. The biggest drop is less than 1/8" in diameter.

Columbia River Gorge

Picture taken today from Vista House, looking East

View of Sand Island in Columbia River, near Bridal Veil Falls


Looking across the Columbia River from the Oregon side to Cape Horn on the Washington side. This is a composite of 7 photos stitched together.

Closeup of Cape Horn waterfalls

Lanceleaf Spring Beauty, Claytonia lanceolata

I found this small flower along a logging road in the nearby state forest. It is in the same family as Miners Lettuce and the flowers are almost identical.

Pseudotsuga menziesii, Douglas Fir

I wouldn't say I live in a rain forest, but as the pictures show, its close....