Capitol State Forest has been worked over (i.e., logged) pretty heavily over the years. This is an example of a nice, naturally regenerating stand that is developing some vertical structure.
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12 years ago
Monday, March 15, 2010
Forest Interior
An old growth western hemlock/Douglas-fir forest in Mount Rainier National Park. One of the characteristics of old growth is diverse vertical structure which is apparent here.
Rainier Heights
An old growth western hemlock/Douglas-fir forest in Mount Rainier National Park. These trees are not the largest I've seen but they are super tall and straight.
North Cascade Meadow
Near Washington Pass there is this beautiful meadow (most of it is actually a fen) that is surrounded by beautiful peaks of the North Cascade Mountains.
Bitterbrush Shrub Steppe
Most “shrub steppe”; is dominated by sagebrush. However, in the Columbia Basin of eastern Washington, bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) can also be a dominant (near background), especially near lower treeline along the eastern base of the Cascade Mountains. The dominant grass here is bluebunch wheatgreass (Pseudoroegeneria spicata)
Columbia Basin Skies
In the northern portion of the Columbia Basin, three-tip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita) dominates along with Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) and a diversity of grasses and forbs. Despite the presence of sagebrush, some ecologists consider this a type of grassland.
Withrow Moraine Shrub Steppe
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) is the dominant grass in the northern portion (and on north slopes in other parts) of the Columbia Basin. Also here is Wyoming sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis).
Beezley Shrub Steppe
Wyoming sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegeneria spicata) are the common components to shrub steppe in the central portion of the Columbia Basin. This site is in the Beezley Hills near Ephrata, Washington. The 'red' colored hillside to the right is a south-facing slope. The extra sunlight (which means warmer and drier environment) results in a different plant community, thus the color change.
Gotcha!
Roundleaf sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) popping up through Sphagnum moss and grabbing a damselfly.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Don’t Weigh Me Down
The temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest support an incredible amount of biomass...most noticeable is the incredible abundance of moss growing everywhere!
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Green Blanket
These downed logs are slowly being engulfed by proliferating moss.
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Shine A Light On Me
As I was walking through an especially dark part of the forest, the sun popped out and lit up the moss-drenched tree in the background.
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Gavin’s Creek
As far as I could tell, this was an unnamed creek. I hereby proclaim it to be Gavin Moss Puckett's Creek.
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Hillside Fir
Large Douglas-fir 'holding-up' the hillside. Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Quinault Green
The various hues of green in this scene seemed endless, especially with late afternoon light poking through.
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
To The Land of Enchantment
Pony Bridge, along the trail to Enchantment Valley. Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Western Hemlock/Western Redcedar Forest
Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) dominate the Quinault Rainforest. Large Douglas-fir and Sitka Spruce are also found in these forests.
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Downed But Not Dead
Fallen dead trees in the rainforest teem with life. This downed tree supports numerous mosses and serves as a "nurse" log for western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) seedlings
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Riparian Forest
Red alder (Alnus rubra) and slough sedge (Carex obnupta) lined creek.
Quinault Rainforest, Olympic National Park
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