LUSH, GREEN, REFRESHING...

...those are the first words that come to my mind when I hear "Pacific Northwest." And Silver Falls State Park, Oregon is a superb example, as you'll soon see why. This is just one of at least ten waterfalls in this, Oregon's largest, state park.

Intrepid adventurers take a bracing stroll behind the falls,

and on the wall behind the water's curtain, Saxifrage and moss cling and thrive in an ideal misty domain.

Creekside clumps of this False Lilly of the Valley, with its sumptuous leaves and fragrant flowers were just starting to bloom.

Amazingly dry, this pillow of soft, airy moss invited a nap.

~~~~~~~~~~

MAIDENHAIR FERNS

There are approximately 200 species in the Maidenhair Fern genus. This delicate, quintessential plant of moist habitats is a Northern Maidenhair, sometimes referred to as Five Fingered Maidenhair.

Breaking up the anomalous asphalt trail to the bottom of the falls were lavish outcroppings of these Maidenhairs. Their unique, fan-like pattern is eye-catching because the fronds are flat and circular and grow outward. Can you imagine playful nymphs wearing crowns of these wispy ferns as they frolic in the woodlands?!

See what I mean?

Lush, Green, Refreshing

"Q" - NAME THAT TREE (#2)

I'm wondering: Is there such a thing as a "lupine tree"?

Centralia, WA, early June

Happy First Day of Summer!

ON A CLEAR DAY...

You can see~~~

Mt. St. Helens in Washington from St. Helens, Oregon ...

...the magnificent Olympic Range, from Sequim, WA

and "THE Mountain" (Ranier). When you're stopped at a light and aiming out of a window on a clear day, you'd better be happy with whatever your camera can capture...

Or even this if you're shooting through a tinted windshield!

Because in a few hours, having made its own weather, what you'll mostly see are plenty of lovely clouds.

"Q" - GAS, GRINS & GRUB

("LLC"!!)

Yes, some gas stations are more fun than others. Could be they're hoping fill-ups will be less painful. (Aberdeen, WA)

"Q" - NAME THAT TREE (#1)

This one reminded me of the eye of a Gray Whale

OK, maybe it would be discernible if the photo was flipped? Use your imagination!

Belfair State Park, WA, mid-May

"Q" - HIS MAJESTY

I'm going to find that sucker if it's the last thing I do!

Le petit chat noir, Sambo

"Q" - RED RED DIRT

I'm still getting used to Blogger's new editing tools; one of them is the ability to select an "extra large" format for photos. I thought this road cut along Highway 3 in Northern California deserved some special treatment, so I formatted for an "extra large photo," but it didn't fit between Blogger's predetermined "margins." Huh?!! What a tease. Well, you can click on it to enlarge it to better see the color detail.