Mountaineers Naturalist Program 2023

Finally able to take this course this year. I'm looking forward to spending a fair amount of time learning about the geology and flora of Washington state (at least through the eastern edge of the Cascades) during this program, as I feel more knowledgeable about local birds (less face it, there aren't nearly as many!) and because plants generally hold still while one fumbles to photograph them, which is truly NOT the case with most fauna.

I've been struck by moss and lichen and am collecting all sorts of photos as I wander and am attempting to at least find a family for each one - not easy as so many need to be viewed under a microscope or at least a dissecting scope to really get specifics, and I'm not sure I know how to see all of the differentiators yet anyhow. But I've got my handlens and a loupe and will make some attempts.

Fun things today are Enchanter's Nightshade, and extremely modest little plant for the name, and finally getting some good photos of Lady Fern, which just wasn't far enough unfurled 2 weeks ago when I went through Carkeek Park.

Posted on April 18, 2023 01:20 AM by jenstr