We managed to get out to look for wildflowers and orchids last week and found both. We visited a number of favorite places on Fidalgo Island and found the spring wildflowers well along and the first of the native orchids beginning to bloom.
Deception Pass
we spent most of our time on Pass Island under the bridge
the Douglas Firs were producing both their male and female cones
while some of the older cones still hung on
the Pacific Madrones were in full flower
we were surprised at the number of wildflowers already in bloom
Prairie Stars, Gold Stars, Beach Strawberries, Common Camas, Naked Broomrape,
Northern Bedstraw, Oregon Sunshine, and a few Grass Widows still hanging on
we also hiked the Bowman Beach trails and found wildflowers there also,
though not so many
Giant Kelp
driftwood
Oyster shell
Pixie Cup Lichens
more Douglas Fir male cones
Pacific Madrone bark and leaves
lichens
Flowering Red Currant
Red Huckleberry
Blue-eyed Mary
last of all we went to Washington Park near Anacortes
and found more wildflowers, including
Early Saxifrage, Fawn Lilies and Sea Blush
and Columbia Black-tailed Deer, eating everything in sight
at several other locations we found the first Fairy Slippers of the year,
including one white flower
