Summer Dreaming: Two Flowers, a Berry and a Bird

These past few days, I've been taking the dog for a walk twice a day. When I remember to take my camera, I can bring back evidence of all kinds of little colour treasures that appear on the path. Summer is pleasant on the West Coast, and the forest is inviting.



First, among the lovelies I found Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata), a native orchid of North America. For more info on this beauty of the forest floor, click here.


The Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana), is the second flower I noticed - at eye level this time. It had an insect visitor. Click here and visit the Royal BC Museum for more information on this hardy native rose.


This earthy red globe is a Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), in the process of forming its berry - after the flower. Salmonberry is a shrub that reaches 3 to 4 meters in height, so I had to stretch to get that picture... I am not a tall woman. Details about its habitat are here.


And I just had to add this lively guy to the mix: the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). A raucous, noisy bird. Great personality and not shy at all! This one wanted to share my granola bar. Doesn't he look punkish? Visit Cornell University's webpage on this guy, and listen to the sound file! I'll be visiting that page again, to check out other bird calls...