In autumn the shape of the land and the silhouette of the trees become evident since the distraction of summer’s lush greenery is gone. I am chronicling the tremendous variety of botanical riches in this rare and endangered ecosystem near the lower Columbia River in Oregon. Once the Willamette Valley and many places along the […]
Garry Oak Meadow–Late Summer
September 14, 2020 by · 4 Comments
When I walked through the dry, brown meadow in late summer, it seemed barren. At closer look, I began to see the delicate beauty of the seedpods. Some were obvious to identify, like the monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus) and great camas (Camassia leichtlinii) and others brought questions to explore later. I was delighted to find […]
Garry Oak Meadow–June
July 22, 2020 by · 4 Comments
In late June, the meadow grasses are flowering and losing the lush greenness of spring. The seed heads wave in the breeze above the buff-colored blades of grass. Although the flowers are more scattered, a few species are making a fine show. Even on the rockiest, driest hillside, farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena), heal all (Prunella vulgaris […]
Garry Oak Meadow–May
June 17, 2020 by · 2 Comments
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 […]
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).