Month: May 2014

Theler’s Wild Roses in Full Bloom

With all our recent sunshine and heat, Theler’s wild roses were in full bloom on my last trip there, though I was surprised that many buds were just opening,

Rose Bud

while others had already outdone themselves.

wild rose

Some were just opening, retaining the deep red seen in the budding stage,

wild rose

while others were completely open, beginning their fade to white.

wild rose

Although I’m not particularly fond of roses and haven’t had a one in my garden for over twenty years, wild roses at this stage strike me as the archetypal flower,

wild rose

holding on to that beautiful symmetry even as the passionate red bud fades to barely pink.

wild rose

Dowitchers

On my recent trip to the beach I got some nice shots of Short-Billed Dowitchers, as I usually do. I had some of the best lighting conditions I’ve ever had when shooting them. It was full sunshine, coming from over my shoulder instead of from behind them as it often does. It’s hard to imagine how I could get a better closeup than this.

Short-Billed Dowitcher

I even managed to get a nice shot of a small flock of them on an “island” as the tide rose.

Short-Billed Dowitchers

I’d entirely forgot I got this shot because I was focusing on getting good shots of the Ruddy Turnstone, a much rarer sighting.

I guess I took both of these shots for granted and didn’t post them because I usually see dowitchers during Spring and Fall migration, and they lack the bright plumage of a Ruddy Turnstone or Western Sandpiper.

So, it seemed a little strange to me that I got excited when a small flock of dowitchers (John Riegsecker told me these are actually Long-Billed Dowitchers, not the Short-Billed I shot at the beach) landed in the Theler wetlands during my last walk there.

Long-Billed DowShortitchers

I must admit this was an “action” shot compared to most shots I get of them when they’re focused on feeding.

I also like this rather strange “line-up” shot.

Long-Billed Dowitchers

I even spent more time than I should have trying to get a better shot of this dowitcher that was hidden behind the trees between the trail and the refuge (looks remarkably similar to the shot above, though definitely not as good).

Long-Billed Dowitcher

Familiarity doesn’t necessarily produce “contempt,” but it may well produce indifference. If we’re lucky, something may happen that will make us see the familiar in a new way.

Short-Billed Dowitcher

Pt. Defiance Rose and Rhododendron Gardens

My recent trip to the Pt Defiance Rose Garden yielded a single, raggedy pink rose, but the Iris garden across the street had some awfully showy flowers to compensate for the lack of roses.

Though purple’s not really a favorite color, I did like this Purple and White beauty

purple and white Iris

as well as this gold one.

Yellow Iris

If you’re not already overexposed to the gorgeous rhodies that adorn Tacoma, the most beautiful place to go this time of year is, in my opinion, the Rhododendron Garden where most of the rhodies

Pink Rhododendron

and some of the azaleas have started to bloom, too.

azalea

It’s hard to ever be disappointed in a visit to Pt Defiance park, at least on a weekday when you don’t have to fight traffic. It’s hard to imagine a more relaxing, beautiful two hours than those spent at the park.