Linear view vs. Masonry View

The Last of May

The weather continued to be capricious here on the Oregon Coast – but there is beauty in all her many moods. Often times I had the beach to myself, so I could wander and explore to my heart’s content. Whether at the beach or inland the last couple weeks of May were full of new discoveries: Giant Acorn Barnacle molts, Dungeness crab molts, Townsend’s Mole, more blooms, and lots of they-look-better-than-they-taste-Salmonberries.

Speaking of Salmonberries, I wonder if they are relatively bland since they are the first berries of the season? Perhaps there is no need to be sweet since they have no competition, unlike berries later in the summer? Regardless, they are wonderful eye candy!

My Private Beach
Solar Reflection
Tree Contrast
Deceased Townsend’s Mole (Scapanus townsendii)
Sand, Log, Waves
A Different View
Two Whirling Girls, Two Whimbrels
Small Toadstool
Pale Beach Hopper (Megalorchestia columbiana)
Low Tide
Sedge Seedhead
Whimbrel Went That Way
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
Lonely Beach
Western Larch Bark (Larix occidentalis)
Memorial Day Weekend Crowd
Beach Treasures
Dark Sand
Foggy Day
Salal Flowers (Gaultheria shallon)
Dungeness Crab Shell Molt
Crazy Stairs
Desiccated Velella Velella
Deep Red Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
Giant Acorn Barnacle Molt (Balanus nubilus)
Columbia Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)
Oregon Wild Iris (Iris tenax)
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
Meadow View
Spruce Tips
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Yellow Flower
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Heart of the Valley

The weather was warm and sunny, perfect for a road trip, so I headed over to the Corvallis area for a little exploring. My first stop was the Jackson-Frazier Wetland. As I strolled the boardwalk I encountered a stalk of gorgeous, vibrant purple flowers. I wasn’t familiar with this plant so I was relieved when the handy interpretive sign provided me the name: Camas (Camassia quamash).

I knew Camas was important as an edible bulb (one that helped save the Lewis and Clark expedition from starvation in 1805) but I had no idea it was that beautiful, too! A preening Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay and a Common Yellowthroat kept me company at the wetland.

My next stop was the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge. In all my travels this is my favorite NWR – it is very accessible with lots of trails that meander through a wide variety of habitats. Massive Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana), Fuller’s Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Wild Oregon Iris (‎Iris tenax), and Elegant Star Tulip (Calochortus elegans) were standouts!

While it wasn’t the birdiest time of day I still enjoyed my afternoon. A brief bobcat sighting was exciting. I will definitely be back for another visit soon!

Camas Closeup
Camas
Preening Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Common Yellowthroat
Thimbleberry Flower
John Fiechter Garage
Oregon White Oak
Oregon Wild Iris
Cat’s Ear
California Quail
Bobcat
California Ground Squirrel
Eastern Cottontail
Brewer’s Blackbird
Fuller’s Teasel
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Oh, My Aching Neck!

First, is the crick in my neck from staring up into the tree tops looking for small, flitting birds. Warbler Neck:

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Then comes the strain from peering down at the beach, looking for treasures in the sand. We call it Agate Neck (which doesn’t tell the entire story but sea glass-shell-driftwood-petrified wood-fossil-zeolite-jasper-agate neck doesn’t have quite the same ring to it).

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Thank goodness for the neutrally balanced pose called Whale Neck! (Yes, I know, not the best photo but the best one I’ve snapped thus far).

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