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Nature Center e-newsletter #7

May 14, 2006

Spring continues to bring forth new growth here, both on the land and for the Nature Center. Two botanists (Lost Valley friend Dharmika Henschel, on May 5, and former community member Aryana Ferguson, on May 11) visited and helped with plant identification and the further development of our species list. With their assistance, I have learned to distinguish several potentially "confusing-to-the-amateur" species, and am now ready and more than eager to share that knowledge (as those fortunate or unfortunate enough to go on walks with me these days will testify).  Prior to Dharmika's visit, I am embarrassed to say, western snakeroot (Sanicula crassicaulis) had been a little difficult to differentiate from a buttercup or even from large-leaved avens (Geum macrophyllum). Now this will never again be the case. Dharmika also confirmed that our most common bedstraw in the woods is sweet scented bedstraw (Galium triflorum), that our only nemophila is woods nemophila (Nemophila parviflora), and that the mystery flower we stumbled upon (and have since lost) is small-flowered blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora). Likewise, before Aryana's visit, I had been in the dark about the difference between fairy lanterns (Prosartes smithii) and Hooker's fairybells (Prosartes hookeri); now, the clangers hanging below the petals on the latter have become dead giveaways. Enchanter's nightshade (Circaea alpina) has finally stopped stumping me, common strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is now as obviously unique as the previously-identified Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), and even selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) has been revealed as having two versions (var. vulgaris, with a more rounded leaf tip, and var. lanceolata, or lance selfheal).

Among the most spectacular bloomers these days are flowers many of us are already familiar with: the blue-to-purple Oregon iris (Iris tenax) and its white-and-yellow-petaled cousin yellow-leaved iris (Iris chrysophylla). Camas (Camassia quamash) and large camas (Camassia leichtlinii) are blooming abundantly, in fairly differentiated zones of our meadow. Most of the giant fawn lily (Erythronium oreganum) are past their prime, but the two checker lily (Fritillaria affinis) behind the cob phone booth are holding their blooms. Likewise, fairy slipper (Calypso bulbosa) has disappeared, but striped coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) is standing tall. In the past week the paths near the dormitories have been brightened by the large white blooms of Columbia windflower (Anemone deltoidea). Among trees, various members of the rose family (Rosaceae) have continued to come into bloom, and the dogwoods (Cornaceae) and buckthorns (Rhamnaceae) have started to join them. Meanwhile, those trees last out of the dressing room here--Oregon oak (Quercus garryana) and Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia)--are finally fully clothed with leaves.

Birds have also been both abundant and vocal (a fortunate thing, since those leaves on the deciduous trees make them easier to hear than to see). Longtime local nature guide and expert birder Rick Ahrens visited the Nature Center on May 10 and led an informal bird walk on our trails that lasted all morning. As many as a dozen residents and nearby neighbors participated at various times. Birds we heard and/or saw included Ring-Necked Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, California Quail, Turkey Vulture, Red-Tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Violet-Green Swallow, Black-Capped Chickadee, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, American Robin, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Black-Throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-Crowned Sparrow, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Brown-Headed Cowbird, and Purple Finch. Many others have also been common, but did not cross our paths that morning.

The most significant "on the ground" development at the Nature Center has been the placement of plant identification signs along the Woods Loop. This one-sixth-mile trail starts west of the Lodge and winds past the Peace Pole and Sanctuary, the Large Dormitory, the bathhouse, the entrance to the Small Dormitory, and back up through the woods near our north boundary. Native species identified along that trail now number 71, with more to add; the majority of these species are now marked with a sign somewhere along that trail. In coming weeks I hope to generate a map and printed species list for that trail, which is the most accessible to conference guests and therefore the one that may present the most opportunities for botanical learning-by-osmosis. The creek restoration area continues to be the most diverse in species, although the entire "new forest" area through which most of our trails pass has also been impressively rich with plants that I hadn't noticed before taking on the project of compiling a species list.

Our next public tours are on Sunday, May 28 at 12:30 and 4 pm. Nature Center Members are welcome to arrange visits at other times as well. Please come and enjoy the wildflowers and abundant life!

Chris
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