Calypso bulbosa, the sole member of the genus Calypso. Commonly known as fairy-slipper, photographed is the western variation of the orchid species photographed in Olympic national park.
The orchid is globally secure but rare in some states. As its name suggests, it is a tuberous orchid spreading underground. A small orchid, its beauty is best experience up close and personal!
Trillium ovatum, also known as Pacific trillium or western Trillium, is a widespread trillium species abundant in Western North America. Its flowers are nearly indistinguishable from T. grandiflorum, with which it is closely related. Thankfully, they have distinct natural ranges and can easily be told apart from where you encounter them!
Western Trillium is a perennial herb spreading through underground rhizomes, preferring to grow in shaded forests.
Life cycles of Trilliums are quite interesting, as they take a long time to reach maturity. From wiki –
“The life-cycle stages of T. ovatum include a cotyledon stage, a one-leaf vegetative stage, a three-leaf vegetative (juvenile) stage, a three-leaf reproductive (flowering) stage, and a three-leaf nonflowering regressive stage. An example of the latter involves a transition from the three-leaf flowering stage to a three-leaf nonflowering regressive stage.”
In the previous years, I have seen many Trillium plants, most either past floewring, or too young to flower. Seattle finally broke my Trillium curse, and how!
The Chickadees are a genus of small North American birds in the genus Poecile. Species in the genus from North America are called Chickadees, while species found elsewhere are called Tits. They have distinct, beautiful calls that lent them their name.
“Their name reputedly comes from the fact that their calls make a distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee“, though their normal call is actually “fee-bee,” and the “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call is an alarm call.”
I have managed to see three species and photograph two! The Carolina Chickadee, endemic to the US, is found in the eastern US. The black-capped Chickadee is found in the northern US and Canada. It is a common species along its range and can be easily found at feeding stations!
Exploring Free Green Cascadia 