Bombus, Snow Camping Adventures and Iranian Fritillaries
"A great deal has been made about the weather, but very little has ever been done about it"
Mark Twain
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Mark Twain
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| This post is dedicated to the indefatigable William George Johnson, Aka Billy. A friend I have had the great fortune to have spent much of the last decade working along side to further clean water in Oregon. He left government work about the same time as I did, his path taking him on an attempt to walk the great Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. We skied into the backcountry one last time to camp out on the Flanks of Mt. Washington and reflect on a career well spent trying to make Oregon a better place. We wish you well buddy, godspeed on the trails! |
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| Probably one of the most scenic campspots I've ever had in my life, camped in an old burn on a ridge off Mt. Washintons West Flank, we had views of the Mckenzie pass, Three Fingered Jack, Hayrick Butte, Mt. Jefferson and the Cascade Crest. |
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| I like to pretend I could have been one of those intrepid botanical explorers like Rock or Fortune or Ward. If you had to ski into a patch of high alpine plants I could have done that I tell myself. Our campsite was right below the tree line on that spur to the Right of Zach Deihls Head. |
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| Speaking of the weather, the sun brought the crocus out in full force. |
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| I even caught old Bombus out for an early snack on the still blooming Colchicum hungaricum 'Valentine' |
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| Frtillaria reuteri This little gem is blooming now, I should get a better picture since the white background washes it out a bit the color is really much better and it has those wonderful glaucus leaves. This Iranian blooms a little bit later then the crassifolia complex I have with similar yellow on brown/plum colored flowers.
Well, the spring weather has fell into place nicely, it was 71 degrees yesterday and I have a bit of a sunburn from the snow adventure and then a good day in the garden pruning.
Cheers,
Mark
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