A Moment of Silence

We generally like to keep this blog on the upbeat side of the fence. However, this week we were saddened to learn that one of our favorite local plant landmarks was cut down and hauled off, like yesterday's trash. You know how it is when you drive by or walk by an old, majestic tree on a regular basis -- it becomes a waypoint in your mental map of happy places; or a giant rose bush that greets your journey through the seasons, perhaps even providing a symbolic pat on the back as your day evolves. 

One of my favorite local botanical landmarks was a very old and stately Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans). It was living by a small, run down, seemingly abandoned house on the south edge of town. Several times a week for the past dozen years, we drove by this home on the way to town and back. This plant was really the bright spot in the otherwise broken down structure; the contrast it provided was memorable and impressive, so we really hope there was a good reason to chop it down.

Trumpet vines, also called Hummingbird vines and Trumpet Creepers, look very tropical and exotic. As the name implies, the large, orange, trumpet-shaped flowers are very popular with hummers. These vines are native to the Eastern U.S., and have become naturalized in warmer areas of the west. They can grow aggressively and in some areas are considered invasive. 

As a small homage to this fine, hardy plant, we will try to get one going here on our own property. Luckily, I stopped by the vine's location on July 4th after watching the local parade. It was blooming profusely so I snapped a few pictures, seen here. 

Front View. Entry door completely covered!

Entry steps are behind this growth.

Exotic looking blossoms add color to the drab house.

Side view from mini-mart parking lot.

August 23rd. We believe it was removed the day before.

Silver Star Mountain

One of our favorite wildflower destinations for a somewhat local day hike is Silver Star Mountain in Washington. From mid June to mid August, this six mile loop puts on a splendid flower show. Botanically speaking, it's an oddball area, created by a huge forest burn about 100 years ago. Many of the now established plants are usually found at higher elevations, making a visit to the area even more rewarding. The trail starts at 2,950 ft. and reaches the 4,390 ft. summit in about three miles. Sweeping views of Mt. Adams, Rainier, St. Helens, and Hood just add to the appeal of this hike.

To reach the Silver Star trailhead, one must be determined! It's only 30 miles east of Vancouver; but the last seven miles of road is more like a steep, dried up creekbed, with car-sized pot holes and large rocks sticking up out of the ground. A high clearance, all wheel drive vehicle is a must. It took us an hour to navigate this portion of the drive. On the bright side, once you get there, no parking permit is required. Yet, the hike remains popular, with busy weekends and its own Facebook page.

We enjoyed favorable weather on our visit to the mountain this time (June 30), with a cool start and a sunny, clear day, with few other hikers on the route. We logged about 25 wildflowers, five of which we had not seen before. And after a long day on the trail and cursing the Forest Service about the terrible road, we did what any respectable explorers would do: stop in at the nearest brewpub and replenish our spirits.

Here's a few of our favorites from the hike - to see all of them follow the link at the bottom of the post.

Open Meadows of Gray's Lovage on Ed's Trail

Harsh Paintbrush galore near the start.

Explorer's Gentian peeking out of the brush.

Deep Canyon off Ed's Trail

Columbia Lewisia in the rocks here and there.

Open meadow on return loop with paintbrush and lovage.

Links:

Our Complete Photo Gallery

Oregon Hikers Page

Wikipedia Page

Wetlands Wandering

For about half the year, during our rainy season, our local wetlands are great places for birds and bird-watchers. Starting in May, as the most shallow waters dry up, these same wetlands become a plant-watchers delight. All that very fertile soil supports a bonanza of plant life and flowers. We are fortunate to live within just a few miles of two large-scale wetland preserves. Both of these have several miles of trails for visitor use; and both are in the process of being restored to a more natural state after having been farmed or used for wastewater.

Here are some of the highlights of our recent visits in June and July to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood and the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). This non-native vine thrives in open, sunny areas. Flowers are about an inch wide and vary in color from all white to pink and white as seen here. Bindweed stays mainly on the ground but can climb up just about anything vertical, so don't stand in place too long.

     

Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum). You can find this plant growing all over the area, near ditches or small creeks. It is highly toxic and closely resembles other members of the wild carrot family such as Water Hemlock and Pacific Water Parsley.

The purple streaks on the stems should mean "do not touch."

Needle-Leaved Navarretia (Navarretia intertexta). Forming huge swaths in drying, open areas, this native has tiny blue flowers the size of sesame seeds. Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), also known as Wapato, grows in ponds or along pond edges. The nickle-sized flowers are bright white and easy to spot.

     

Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis) is one of our favorites and is another plant that seems to enjoy the dried up wetland soil. From a distance it appears like a blue carpet on the ground. Thousands of bees were also enjoying these flowers.

Wild Mint with Navarretia

     

Even in the summer, what would a wetland be without ducks? At the Tualatin River refuge, these nearly full-grown ducklings were still hanging out together. Also spotted some young grebes and a great blue heron. At Jackson Bottom we saw eight great blue herons in a pond, and two adult osprey soaring around. In addition, there are several dozen very busy tree swallows buzzing about the Bobcat trail.

At Jackson Bottom, several Killdeer plover families had made their nests right on the gravel trail. Fortunately staff members placed pylons around these areas to prevent crushing the nearly invisible eggs.

Can you spot all four eggs? (6/19/2016)

It goes without saying, we did find a few undesirable weeds in these refuges, such as the nasty Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) and the sturdy, spiny Fuller's Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum).

     

And last but not least, another couple of favorites, Chicory (Cichorium intybus) seen at Jackson Bottom, and the elusive Nelson's Checker Mallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana), seen at Tualatin River.

Links:

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge