Ranger Sarah learns about the Tallgrass Prairie found here at the wildlife refuge. Did you know some native tallgrass prairie plants have roots that go 14 feet down into the ground.
— at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
Ranger Sarah learns about the Tallgrass Prairie found here at the wildlife refuge. Did you know some native tallgrass prairie plants have roots that go 14 feet down into the ground.
— at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
Ranger Sarah starts down the Discovery Trail at Marais Des Cygnes NWR, hiking through the Tailgrass Prairie.
— at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
Ranger Sarah reads about the Discovery Trail at Marais Des Cygnes NWR before beginning her hike.
— at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
Ranger Sarah at the Headquarters for Marais De Cygnes NWR. The Refuge is named after the Marais des Cygnes River which runs through the middle of the refuge and is the dominant natural feature of the region.
— at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
Ranger Sarah is a Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established in 1992 to protect bottomland hardwood habitats along the Marais des Cygnes River
— at Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.
#Today 15
Good day!
Sometimes, on a hike, you find the strangest things. I found this old car (1930s-40s?) fairly high on Blue Mountain, no present day roads close.
It was fascinating & creepy, a strange vibe in the gully there.
Meanwhile, this day-3 of rain & cold temps. I love walking in it.
Be everwell.
Just now finished scuba diving here in SE Massachusetts. Dived with a friend who I hadn't seen in a while. A great way to reconnect!
Ready to hit the trails? Check out the ultimate backpacking & day hiking essentials checklist for beginners by Cap Puckhaber!
Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned hiker, this guide has you covered!
#Today 14
Good day!
Adversity makes us stronger, but we also learn from experience the best road to take to reach the sky.
This tree knew what it wanted to do & did it, even if it took longer.
Publishing at my age, I guess that makes me a bent tree that’s still growing.
Be everwell.
Another beautiful day for painting outside! Gotta enjoy it while it lasts….
#pleinair #pleinairpainting #lovelandcolorado #COwx #watercolor #aquarelle #NoCo#landscapepainting #getoutside
#Today 13
Good day!
I took this yesterday on my morning walk behind where I live. There were 3 deer in total, the other two much farther away.
Loud noises had scared the poor animal, & then I showed up. So, I knelt, which seemed to reassure it.
After it walked past me I took the picture.
Be everwell.
Hiking Mt Dickerman contd. 1-2: I love this plant: Arctic butterbur, or colt's foot. Petasites frigidus var. palmatum. The leaves emerge later but they're large and mayapple-like. 3: invasive weeds by the side of the path-- they are carried in on shoes and animal fur. Please check your shoes and pets for seeds before visiting. Native ecosystems are vulnerable everywhere-- this one is more intact than most, let's keep it that way. 9/9
#hiking #nativeplants #PNW #getoutside #mountains #WA
Hiking Mt Dickerman contd. Every time I come up this way, I stop at the Big Four Ice Caves picnic area, because I love the little wetland here. There's a boardwalk across it and an easy hike up to the ice caves-- an avalanche debris pile (a ginormous pile of snow) with holes carved through it by melt water. I was far more excited about the skunk cabbages. They grow in the water and smell like their name. 8/9
#hiking #nativeplants #PNW #getoutside #mountains #WA
Kommen wir zu einem weiteren #campinggadget, das ich nicht mehr missen möchte: das praktische Besteckset von Emsa. Die Hülle schützt davor, dass Messer oder Gabel den Rucksack beschädigen und man kann es auch mal ungespült wieder einpacken. Gleichzeitig sehr platzsparend.
Im Handling finde ich es deutlich angenehmer, als ein Klapp- oder Kunststoffset.
Hiking Mt Dickerman contd. Tough going getting to the top, even with spikes and trekking poles. But the view from the top is unparalleled-- Glacier Peak, Mt Baker, Shuksan, even the Olympics all visible at the same time and Big Four Mountain is right in your face. Photo 3: the North side of the peak is a sheer drop, and you can see the snow cornice that's built up over it. Maybe don't step on that part. 7/9
#hiking #nativeplants #PNW #getoutside #mountains #WA
Hiking Mt Dickerman contd. I hit the snow line at about 4000 ft, and last mile or so (and 1700 ft gain) was just brutal. My first time doing a slope that steep in snow. There's a plenty of footprints to follow, and they haul straight up the mountainside. 6/9
#hiking #nativeplants #PNW #getoutside #mountains #WA
Hiking Mt Dickerman contd. This plant caught my eye because it looks like an Asian species I have in my garden. This is Prosartes hookeri, or American fairy bells, close relative of the Disporum genus (Fairy bells: 'Night Heron', 'Green Giant' are popular cultivars). It's not real common. Mt. Dickerman is right on the edge of the Perry Creek drainage which has an unusual diversity of native plants. 5/9
#hiking #nativeplants #PNW #getoutside #mountains #WA
Hiking Mt Dickerman contd. Another species of false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellatum), this one will have starry white flowers in a few weeks. And one of the commonest forest floor plants here: Mahonia nervosa, or short Oregon grape (there are two other species of Oregon grape, a "tall one" and a "sunny area one"). Those yellow flowers become purple berries, edible but horrifyingly sour. 4/9
#hiking #nativeplants #PNW #getoutside #mountains #WA