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