The meadow has become lush under the clouds and rainy weather of May. Stately great camas, Camassia leichtlinii, has a queenly presence over the smaller wildflowers. I saw a stand of it for the first time when I peeked into an ordinary looking grove of shrubby ash trees, and to my surprise and delight the […]
Garry Oak Meadow–Late April
May 13, 2020 by · 6 Comments
Fawn lilies, shooting stars, spring gold, prairie stars…don’t you love wildflower names? Their whimsical names fit these charming little beauties. These plants were all in bloom in late April, and some are still blooming, but it took me awhile to finish up the two study pages. I am chronicling the tremendous variety of botanical riches […]
Garry Oak Meadow–Mid-April (2)
April 28, 2020 by · 3 Comments
The Camassia are peaking a little early this year because of the recent warm weather. The meadow stretches out blue into the distance, with swathes of pink rosy plectritis and dots of yellow buttercups and lomatium. Tiny native bees and big fuzzy bumblebees seem frenzied as they go from blossom to blossom. The meadow has […]
Garry Oak Meadow-Mid-April
April 23, 2020 by · 3 Comments
A friend who knows the oak meadow well, took me to a grove where many checker lilies and fawn lilies grow, alongside several other treasures like prairie star, beautiful bittercress and blue-eyed Mary. The dark checker lilies hid in the dappled shade cast by the bare oak branches until I learned to discern their graceful […]
Garry Oak Meadow-Early April
April 20, 2020 by · 2 Comments
In Early April, just a haze of color was visible over the meadow. Walking through it was like stepping on a sponge, soft and very wet after the recent rains. Even the rocks were soft, covered with a plush carpet of moss. I am chronicling the tremendous variety of botanical riches in this rare and […]
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).