05 de junio de 2012

Carkeek Park, Seattle, Washington: June 3, 2012

Location: Carkeek Park, Seattle, Washington, 98177, USA (Lat: 47.703616, Lon: -122.363752)

Date: June 3, 2012

Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Weather Conditions: Cloudy, temperature in the high 50s to low 60s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Followed the Piper’s Creek Trail from the 103rd St entrance down to the Wetland Trail and back up. The trail begins in a grassy neighborhood park, winds down through a temperate rainforest and follows Piper's Creek down to a wetlands and, eventually, a beach. The trail was pretty busy today; I saw a lot of families, runners and dogs.
Temperate rainforest here dominated by Red Alders and Bigleaf Maples, also some Douglas Firs, Western Hemlocks and Western Redcedars. I also saw what I have identified as a Lodgepole Pine near the start of the trail. I identified this a lodgepole due to its clustered pollen cones and egg-shaped seed cones.
For the majority of the trail, understory was comprised of very abundant Salmonberry that had gone to fruit. Also a lot of Vine Maple, Devil’s Club, Horsetails, Sword Fern, Lady Fern and Bracken Fern. Thimbleberry (flowering), Red-Osier Dogwood (flowering), also common, though less abundant. Even less common were Snowberry (not flowering) and Indian Plum (not flowering). For a short stretch of the trail near Piper’s Orchard, Black Twinberry (gone to fruit), Nootka Roses (flowering), Dull Oregon Grape and Pacific Ninebark (flowering) dominated the understory vegetation.
Lots of groundcover wildflowers in bloom right now: including two species having small yellow flowers, which I identified as Creeping Buttercups and Large-Leaved Avens, as well as Youth-on-Age (Piggyback plant). Also lots of English Daisies flowering in the grassy field at the trailhead. In addition to the more common plants here, I saw a very large Skunk Cabbage in the muddy ground near Piper’s Creek. Also, saw a colony of Artists Conch on a fallen log- I think it was a Western Redcedar log. Lastly, I saw evidence of Spittlebugs on the Horsetails and Large-Leaved Avens. Until recently, I had no idea those foamy deposits were made from bugs.

Comments/Questions:
• I noticed a lot of invasive English Ivy on the slopes at the start of the trail (near the parking lot of 103rd St), and some climbing up the Alders near these slopes. However, I didn’t see much ivy as I made my way down to the beach. I’m guessing there has been a lot of restoration work done to remove the ivy along the creek. Since the lower entrance to the park (where I began on the trail) directly borders a neighborhood, and a lot of the ivy I noticed was near what looked like an apartment complex, I’m wondering how being so close to private property in an urban setting affects restoration efforts.
• After my hike, I looked up a bit about the park’s history. The old-growth forest was clear-cut in the early 1900s (explaining the mature Maple-Alder succession present today), before Carkeek Park was a park. Most of the park was acquired by the city in the 1920s, though it served a variety of different purposes before evolving into the park we see today. Because Carkeek Park is mostly in a ravine, it was never very highly developed, but parts of it were used as farmland, pasture, outdoor venue space, and a sewage treatment plant. It wasn’t really until the 1970s that it became a true park.

Species List

  1. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
  2. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
  3. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
  4. Thuja plicata (Western Redcedar)
  5. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
  6. Pinus contorta (Lodgepole Pine)
  7. Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
  8. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
  9. Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry)
  10. Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry)
  11. Lonicera involucrate (Black Twinberry)
  12. Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood)
  13. Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)
  14. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
  15. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
  16. Rosa nutkana (Nootka Rose)
  17. Oplopanax horridus (Devils Club)
  18. Polystichum munitum (Western Sword Fern)
  19. Athyrium filix-femina (Western Lady Fern)
  20. Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken Fern)
  21. Genus Equisetum (Horsetails)
  22. Ranunculus repens (Creeping Buttercup)
  23. Geum macrophyllum (Large-Leaved Avens)
  24. Tolmiea diplomenziesii (Piggyback Plant/Youth-on-Age)
  25. Bellis perennis (Daisy)
  26. Ganoderma applanatum (Artist's Bracket)
  27. Lysichiton americanus (Western Skunk Cabbage)
  28. Philaenus spumarius (Meadow Spittlebug)
  29. Hedera helix (Common/English Ivy)
Publicado el junio 5, 2012 07:07 MAÑANA por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 25 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

04 de junio de 2012

University of Washington Seattle Campus, Washington: May 21, 2012

Location: Burke-Gilman Trail near Botany Greenhouse, University of Washington Seattle Campus, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA

Date: May 21, 2012

Time: 12:00 PM – 3:20 PM

Summary of Observations: Today I spent a few hours looking at different samples of mosses under the dissecting microscope at the UW Botany Greenhouse. I collected my samples from the Burke-Gilman bridge just adjacent to the Botany Greenhouse. I am still by no means an expert on mosses, but after examining these samples, I believe I was looking at: (1) Red Roof Moss, (2) Lyell’s Bristle Moss, (3) Black-Tufted Rock Moss and (4) a species in the Genus Plagiomium.
Looking at a few different field guides, I learned that when trying to ID a moss, you should consider: (1) Is it a liverwort, lichen, or moss? The best way to tell these apart is by the presence of capsules. In mosses, the capsule enlargement/maturity takes place after seta elongation (so, capsule develops after stem grows up). Further, the capsule usually has one end to let spores out. In liverworts, capsule matures and splits into segments, then the seta elongates. However, capsules are only present in both groups during the spring. So, you can also look under a microscope: the leaves of all these groups look very different.
I also learned a few different tools to figure out what species of moss your specimen is, once you have determined that it is indeed a moss. You should consider: (1) Where it is growing: recognizing if it is growing on a rocky substrate, and if so, if the substrate is acidic or basic, or an organic substrate like tree or soil, and if so, if it is growing on a coniferous or deciduous tree. Acidic rocks are igneous rocks that have a relatively high silica content (like granite and rhyolite). Basic rocks have low silica content, like basalt. These are important to understand because different mosses prefer different substrates. (2) The presence/characteristics of the sporophyte, which often has a distinguishing shape and/or color. (3) The structure of the actual plant: is it branched or un-branched? Occurring in clumps or as single stems mixed in with other mosses? (4) Finally, the best way is to look at the species under a microscope. Here, you should examine the leaves (especially look at leaf shape) and sporophyte (the shape can be difficult to discern without a microscope). A good tip I learned was to put the moss under hot water first, causing it to expand and loosen its leaves.
I used all of these tips to determine which species I was looking at today. I expected one sample was the Red Roof Moss because I found it all over the bridge, and this moss commonly grows in a variety of usually inhospitable habitats (like sidewalks). Further, it had the distinctive coloring of the Red Roof Moss. However, I wasn’t completely confident that I was looking at Red Roof Moss until I examined the sporophyte under the dissecting microscope, and recognized the distinctive shape of its capsule. I identified another species as Lyell’s Bristle Moss by its distinctive shape and brown-green color gradient, but also by its irregularly branched growing pattern. The third sample I identified as Black-Tufted Rock Moss because it was dark, almost black on the bottom and brighter green on the top and was un-branched. Also, because this species likes periodically wet rocks. The last sample I identified down to the genus Plagiomium because of the growth pattern of the leaves: looking straight down onto the sample, looked like a flower. Also looked at the shape of the leaves: it had wide, egg-shaped leaves.

Comments/Questions: I learned that the leaves of a moss are only one cell thick, making them pretty cool to look at under a microscope.

Species List

  1. Ceratodon purpureus (Red Roof Moss)
  2. Orthotrichum lyellii (Lyell’s Bristle Moss)
  3. Racomitrium aciculare (Black-Tufted Rock Moss)
  4. Genus Plagiomium
Publicado el junio 4, 2012 08:08 TARDE por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Leavenworth, Washington: May 12, 2012

Location: Leavenworth, Washington, USA (Lat: 47.5880241394, Long: -120.6678085327)

Date: May 12, 2012

Time: 1:20 PM – 3:20 PM

Weather Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in 70’s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Hiked up through a grassy woodland (so, very sparse trees) with numerous granite outcroppings. Trees primarily Ponderosa Pines and Douglas Firs. We could see evidence of the big fires that swept this area on the Douglas Firs: their big, low branches are not well adapted for fire. We discussed how Douglas Firs would dominate this region if the occasional wildfire did not sweep through.
On our climb up the hill, we saw primarily grasses, wildflowers and small shrubs. Specifically, saw Northern/Arrowleaf Buckwheat, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Checker Lilies, Peonies, Ocean Spray, Oregon Grape, Field Chickweed, Death Camas, a yellow flower in the genus Lomatium, Lewis's Mock-orange, Indian Paintbrush and Trillium petiolatum. It was more heavily wooded at top of climb, but still much less so than the temperate rainforests we stopped at on the Western side of the Cascades. Understory plants here included (in addition to many listed above) Saskatoon, Snowberry, and Elderberry. Also saw a few Western Fence Lizards and Orangetip butterflies near granite outcroppings on grassy/shrubby hillside.
Abiotic forces contribute significantly to the difference in this landscape from that of the previous stops on our fieldtrip. Leavenworth is on the Eastern side of the Cascades, and therefore is situated in the rainshadow of the Cascades. Warm, moist air from the Pacific Ocean is swept inland by the prevailing winds (over the Northern United States, these travel from West to East). As the air rises over the Cascades, it cools, and is consequently able to “hold” less water. So, the water condenses and falls, making the Western side of the Cascades very wet and rainy. As the air continues back down the Eastern side of the Cascades, it warms, and is able to “hold” more water, making the Eastern side of the Cascades home to higher evaporation rates and generally sunnier, drier conditions.

Species List

  1. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
  2. Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine)
  3. Eriogonum compositum (Northern/Arrowleaf Buckwheat)
  4. Balsamorhiza sagittata (Arrowleaf Balsamroot)
  5. Fritillaria affins (Checker Lily)
  6. Paeonia brownii (Peonies)
  7. Berberis aquifolium repens (Oregon Grape)
  8. Holodiscus discolor (Ocean Spray)
  9. Cerastium arvense (Field Chickweed)
  10. Zigadenus venenosus (Death Camas)
  11. Genus Lomatium (yellow flowers)
  12. Philadelphus lewisii (Lewis's Mock-orange)
  13. Castilleja hispida (Indian Paintbrush)
  14. Trillium petiolatum
  15. Amelanchier alnifolium (Saskatoon)
  16. Genus Symphoricarpos (Snowberry)
  17. Sambucus cerulea (Elderberry)
  18. Anthocharis sara (Sara Orangetip)
  19. Sceloporus occidentalis (Western Fence Lizard)
Publicado el junio 4, 2012 06:33 TARDE por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 16 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Moneycreek Campground, Washington: May 12, 2012

Location: Moneycreek Campground, Washington, USA 98224 (Lat: 47.7500991821, Lon: -121.4398651123)

Date: May 12, 2012

Time: 11:20 AM – 12:00 PM

Weather Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in mid 60’s (°F)
Summary of Observations: Walked through old growth temperate rainforest: saw huge Douglas Firs, also smaller, younger Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlock. Discussed how this forest won’t be dominated by Douglas Firs forever, because young Doug Fir seedlings cannot survive under large, established parents. Understory comprised of abundant Devil’s Club, and Ferns (including abundant Sword Fern, common Licorice Fern, and rare Maidenhair Fern). Groundcover of False Soloman’s Seal, Vanilla Leaf, Yellow Violets (especially along the edges of the trail), Water Forget-me-nots, Western/Pacific Trillium and Wild Ginger. We saw the Western/Pacific Trillium flowering in multiple colors and discussed how the flower changes color with age, after pollination.

Comments/Questions: Saw the shell of some type of fly on the trunk of a cedar- a stonefly?

Species List

  1. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
  2. Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
  3. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
  4. Oplopanax horridum (Devil’s Club)
  5. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
  6. Polypodium glycorhiza (Licorice Fern)
  7. Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern)
  8. Maianthemum racemosum (False Solomon’s Seal)
  9. Achlys triphylla (Vanilla Leaf)
  10. Viola glabella (Yellow Violets)
  11. Myosotis scorpioides (Water Forget-me-nots)
  12. Trillium ovatum (Western/Pacific Trillium)
  13. Asarum caudatum (Wild Ginger)
  14. Order Plecoptera (Stonefly)
Publicado el junio 4, 2012 04:41 MAÑANA por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 12 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

03 de junio de 2012

East of Index, Washington: May 12, 2012

Location: East of Index, Washington by a few miles, in Snohomish, Washington, USA (47.82338333129883, -121.51809692382812)

Date: May 12, 2012

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in mid 60’s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Stopped along Highway 2 in a temperate rainforest comprised of primarily Spruces, Western Red Cedars, and Bigleaf Maples- also some Vine Maple. Saw lots of mosses and epiphytic ferns growing on the Bigleaf Maples- specifically, lots of Licorice Fern. We discussed how these epiphytic relationships are fostered by abiotic forces: this region gets at least two times more rainfall than Seattle, which creates a nice, moist habitat on the trees for moss to grow on, creating a good habitat for ferns.
Understory primarily Salmonberry, Elderberry and Ribes bracteosum. Groundcover of ferns (Sword, Lady, and Wood), as well as Pacific Bleedingheart, False Lily of the Valley, Hookers Fairybells, Stinging Nettle, Piggyback Plant and Devils Club. The Devil’s Club was greener and had more growth than the species I saw on Cougar Mountain in April. Dominant Trillium Ovatum in tree gaps.
Also saw a colony of Artists Conch growing on a fallen tree log. We discussed how this fungi produces a huge number of spores, and in some regions can live up to twenty or thirty years old. You can tell the age of this fungi by looking at the pore layers; a similar technique to using rings of growth on a tree.
We also heard some Pacific Wrens while exploring, and saw Rufus Hummingbirds.

Species List

  1. Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple)
  2. Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
  3. Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
  4. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
  5. Sambucus racemose (Elderberry)
  6. Ribes bracteosum (Stinking Currant)
  7. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
  8. Athyrium felix-femina (Lady Fern)
  9. Polypodium glycoriza (Licorice Fern)
  10. Dryopteris expansa (Wood Fern)
  11. Dicentra formosa (Pacific Bleedingheart)
  12. Maianthemum dilatatum (False Lily of the Valley)
  13. Disporum hookeri (Hookers Fairybells)
  14. Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle)
  15. Tolmiea diplomenziesii (Piggyback Plant)
  16. Oplopanax horridus (Devils Club)
  17. Trillium ovatum (Western/Pacific Trillium)
  18. Ganoderma applanatum (Artists Conch)
  19. Troglodytes pacificus (Pacific Wren)
  20. Selasphorus rufus (Rufus Hummingbird)
Publicado el junio 3, 2012 05:57 TARDE por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 8 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

18 de mayo de 2012

Skykomish River, Snohomish, Washington: May 12, 2012

Location: Skykomish River, off of National Forest Development Road 6021, May Creek, Snohomish, Washington, 98251, United States of America (Lat: 47.8357887268, Long: -121.6576156616)

Date: May 12, 2012

Time: 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM

Weather Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in mid 60’s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Walked along the loop by the river off of parking lot. Forest dominated by many Cottonwoods and Red Alders. Also saw Big Leaf Maples and Willows. Saw examples of adventicous rooting in the Cottonwoods along the bank of the river. Discussed how this was because they were along a riparian floodplain, and need to be able to access water and nutrients when the river floods. Also discussed how these can be used to determine floodlines. Understory comprised of Dogwood (flowering), Huckleberry, Vine Maple, Indian Plum (gone to fruit), Salmonberry (flowering), Saskatoon, and Cascara. Less abundant Japanese Knotweed, Snowberry, Thimbleberry, and Trailing Blackberry. Lots of Bracken Ferns. Bordering the parking lot, noticed some flowering Orange Honeysuckle as well as groundcover of English Plantain, Sheep Sorrel and a grass I was unable to identify (but have linked to this journal entry). Noticed significant amount of a non-native, invasive weed from California near riverbanks as well as some Himalayan Blackberry.

Species List

  1. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
  2. Populus trichocarpa (Cottonwood)
  3. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
  4. Salix (Willows)
  5. Rhamnus purshiana
  6. Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
  7. Linnaea borealis
  8. Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon)
  9. Lonicera ciliosa (Orange Honeysuckle)
  10. Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry)
  11. Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)
  12. Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed)
  13. Malus domestica (Pacific crabapple)
  14. Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus (Snowberry)
  15. Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken fern)
  16. Polystichum munitum (Sword fern)
  17. Rubus ursinus (Trailing blackberry)
  18. Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
  19. Rumex acetosella (Sheep sorrel)
  20. Plantago lanceolata (English plantain)
Publicado el mayo 18, 2012 02:03 MAÑANA por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 17 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

20 de abril de 2012

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Bellevue, Washington: April 19, 2012

Location: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Bellevue, Washington, USA

Date: April 19, 2012

Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Weather Conditions: significant rainfall, 100% cloud cover, muddy trail, flowing creeks and streams, mid-high 40s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Hiked through temperate rainforest of primarily Douglas Firs, Red Alders, Black Cottonwoods, Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlocks. Fewer Big Leaf Maples and very few (~2) Sitka Spruces. Many of the alders and maples had long moss hanging over their branches. Understory comprised of very abundant, flowering Salmonberry. Spotted multiple butterflies pollinating the Salmonberry. Also abundant in the understory was Oregon Grape (both tall and creeping) and Sword Fern. Less abundant, though still prevalent, was Huckleberry (mostly in fallen nurse logs), Red Flowering Currant, Indian Plum, Deer Fern and Salal. Spotted minimal invasive Blackberry and European Holly (though we did see one very large holly tree). Saw one patch of Devil’s Club, also saw a few Horsetails. Groundcover primarily flowering Pacific Bleeding Heart, Pink Purslane, and Maianthemum dilatatum. Also saw some invasive, weedy grasses as groundcover. Near the streams and riverbeds, saw large, flowering Skunk Cabbage. Also saw a lot of flowering Trillium, and some Sweet Coltsfoot near one of the trailheads off the old mining road (near the clay pit). Spotted some Stinging Nettle along the trail.

Species List:

  1. Populus balsamifera (Black Cottonwood)
  2. Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple)
  3. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
  4. Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
  5. Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce)
  6. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
  7. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
  8. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
  9. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
  10. Mahonia nervosa (Dull/Creeping Oregon Grape)
  11. Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)
  12. Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
  13. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
  14. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
  15. Vaccinium parvifolium (Red Huckleberry)
  16. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
  17. Dicentra formosa (Pacific Bleeding Heart)
  18. Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s Club)
  19. Lysichiton americanum (Skunk Cabbage)
  20. Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle)
  21. Petasites frigidus (Sweet Coltsfoot)
  22. Trillium ovatum (Pacific Trillium)
  23. Claytonia sibirica (Pink Purslane)
  24. Maianthemum dilatatum
  25. Genus Equisetum (Horsetails)
Publicado el abril 20, 2012 10:25 TARDE por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 13 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, Washington: Sunday, April 1, 2012

Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, Washington, 98516, United States of America (Lat: 47.071729, Long: -122.717242)

Date: Sunday, April 1

Time: early afternoon

Weather Conditions: temperatures in low-mid 40s (°F), significant cloud cover

Summary of Observations: Trail winded through grasslands, woodlands (specifically, a deciduous riparian forest), and freshwater marshes. Ended with a boardwalk lookout over a tidal estuary. During the first part of the walk (more in the woodlands, nearer to the visitor’s center), observed understory of abundant Sword Ferns, Salal, Indian Plum, Red Flowering Currant, and Salmonberry. Also saw some Snowberry, Kinnikinnick, and Pacific Ninebark. Woodlands comprised of primarily Alders, Cottonwoods, and Big Leaf Maples. Here, saw and heard Song Sparrows, observed a Great Horned Owl in what I think was a Red Alder, and observed a Rufous Hummingbird feeding on Salmonberry. As we moved into the grasslands, observed American Robins and House Finches scavenging. In the marshes, saw many Canada Geese. Also observed what I think was a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk in the trees above the marshes (I forgot to record which tree it was in). Many cattails in the water. Walking out to the boardwalk, came across a dead salamander. I think it may have been a Long-toed Salamander, but I am uncertain because it seemed to have faded in color. Looking out over the tidal estuary, we observed Great Blue Herons in the water, along with Mallards and more Canada Geese. Also saw a juvenile Bald Eagle fly past.

Questions: Noticed what looked like restoration work in a few locations along the path- wondering what they were planting/protecting?

Species List

  1. Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood)
  2. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
  3. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
  4. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
  5. Ribes sanguineum (Red Flowering Currant)
  6. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
  7. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
  8. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
  9. Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry)
  10. Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)
  11. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
  12. Ardea Herodias (Great Blue Heron)
  13. Branta canadensis (Canada Goose)
  14. Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard )
  15. Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)
  16. Bubo virginianus (Great Horned Owl )
  17. Selasphoras rufus (Rufous Hummingbird)
  18. Turdus migratorius (American Robin)
  19. Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow)
  20. Carpodacus mexicanus (House Finch)
  21. Ambystoma macrodactylum (Long-toed Salamander) (??)
Publicado el abril 20, 2012 08:18 TARDE por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 6 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

13 de abril de 2012

Trail of the Shadows, Longmire, Washington: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Location: Trail of the Shadows, Longmire, Washington, 98361, United States of America (Lat: 46.750609, Long: -121.813263)

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Time: late afternoon/early evening

Weather Conditions: approx. 30°F, partially cloudy, snow on ground partially melted

Summary of Observations: Walked the Trail of Shadows loop at Mt. Rainier National Forest. Trail winds through the Longmire hot springs and surrounding forest. Noticed significant iron content in streams; turned them all a reddish-brown. Forest comprised of Mountain Hemlocks, Western Hemlocks, Pacific Yews, Pacific Silver Firs, Alaska Cedars and Yellow Cedars. Understory was covered with snow in many areas, but I observed Oregon Grape, Devil’s Club, Kinnikinnick and Deer Fern. Also saw Western Skunk Cabbage near hot springs.

Species List:

  1. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
  2. Tsuga mertensiana (Mountain Hemlock)
  3. Taxus brevifolia (Western/Pacific Yew)
  4. Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (Yellow/Alaska Cedar)
  5. Abies amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir)
  6. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
  7. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
  8. Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)
  9. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
  10. Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s Club)
  11. Lysichiton americanus (Western Skunk Cabbage)
Publicado el abril 13, 2012 05:23 TARDE por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 3 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Pack Forest, Eatonville, Washington: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Location: Pack Forest, Eatonville, Washington, United States of America (lat: 46.841642, lon: -122.30135)

Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Weather Conditions: significant cloud cover, very muddy trail, little to light rainfall

Summary of Observations: Went on two separate, brief hikes at Pack Forest. Began both hikes in a large clearing, where we observed many Pacific Wrens. Clearing bordered in many locations by Scotch Broom. Hiked through a forest of primarily Douglas Firs, with some Western White Pines, Red Alders, and Western Hemlocks. Also saw a few Bigleaf Maples and Black Cottonwoods. Many of the trees and fallen logs were covered in mosses and lichen. Specifically saw abundant Old Man’s Beard, Common Orange Lichen, Evernia prunastri, and Parmelia sulcata. Understory primarily composed of abundant Sword Ferns and Salal, but also Oregon Grape, Red Flowering Currant, Indian Plum, and Salmonberry. Also saw some English Ivy and Deer Ferns. Heard Chestnut-backed Chichadees while hiking.

Species List:

  1. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
  2. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
  3. Pinus monticola (Western White Pine)
  4. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
  5. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
  6. Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood)
  7. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
  8. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
  9. Xanthoria parietina (Common Orange Lichen)
  10. Usnea (Old Man’s Beard)
  11. Evernia prunastri
  12. Parmelia sulcata
  13. Troglodytes pacificus (Pacific Wren)
  14. Poecile rufescens (Chestnut-backed Chickadees)
  15. Ribes sanguineum (Red Flowering Currant)
  16. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
  17. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
  18. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
  19. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
  20. Hedera helix (English Ivy)
  21. Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)
Publicado el abril 13, 2012 03:58 MAÑANA por sophiejhart sophiejhart | 8 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

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