It's been a cold spring on the island, and in the Pacific Northwest in general. The usual April showers have visited in their new monsoon-like fashion, which is apparently in style now, but have done so against a sharp, steely backdrop of temperatures which are five to eight degrees colder than average.
Do not misunderstand how large a measurement eight degrees F is when it is past Easter, and you are still forced to put on both the winter hat and gloves to walk the dog in the morning. There were years when I refused to wear socks come April 1st. And didn’t regret it.
But I shall not complain about the weather. Most notably because it is Earth Day, which still exists—both the holiday and the small-ish rock in the Milky Way. For the last two weeks, I have been walking mentioned dog at a very slow pace, taking maximum care to look out for and note-to-self anything resembling fresh optimism. Below, some highlights from today while walking on The Champagne Trail here at Gladehill.
One of the loveliest of native shrubs out here is the Red huckleberry. Last week most of these leaves were still bundled shut. On some branches, miniscule pink buds are stepping out on point. If I can get a good photo of those tiny dancers, I’ll add it to this post.
-Fresh, little gems on a red huckleberry bush.
Along the forest edges grow the leggy and pervasive salmonberry bushes. Native to the PNW, this shrub feeds deer, coyotes and taller rabbits who can reach the low-hanging fruit. It will also subdue and eventually crowd-out out the invasive Himalayan blackberry if left to its own beautiful devices. Salmonberry FTW!
-Five-pointed blossoms on a thread-like stem of salmonberry.
As I set out with my camera this morning, I had it in my mind to capture both a slug and the never disappointing blooms of the skunk cabbage flower. If you are not familiar with the PNW slug catalog, I am sorry that you have been denied this benefit of the human experience. Likewise, the skunk cabbage bloom. Most of the year, you would never know this plant is alive and well anywhere near your current location. Come April and May though, you will not be able to ignore either its extreme illumination from a dreary wetland bog on the side of the road, nor its distinct perfume which will remind you very much of your dear cousin, Mary Jane. Thank you to the good old Mother Earth for bringing these soulmates together today. Technically, this bog is not on the trail, but April and May insist on highlighting the skunk cabbage.
-A fine, dark-hued slug whispering sweet nothings into this bright beauty’s everything.
And last but not least for today, a banana-bunch of cones. The Douglas fir is not a true fir but it is a gorgeous masterpiece of an evergreen that I never get tired of standing under, watching sway in a windstorm, or putting my hands on its deeply cragged trunk. And it is not even my favorite conifer. I'll show you some of those in my next photo post from The Champagne Trail.
-Costco for squirrels: a plethora of sticky, meaty cones on a Douglas fir branch.
The wild (meaning, I didn't plant it) maple growing at the edge of the trail is just about to bud. I'm waiting to see if I can photograph the emerging leaves, but the cold weather has postponed the debutante ball. The dresses are still being made. Last week I smiled when I read the brilliant
describe the new tree leaves as “the tiniest little deer hoof shapes” in a recent post from her publication Entering The Lung. Seems the Vermont spring is a week or so ahead of the Washington version, but that’s to be expected, as we do tend to be a little sleepier out west here.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll do my best to post again next week.
-Angela