Spring on the Sauk

A couple weeks ago, I made a trip to the Old Sauk River Trail near Darrington, an early-season favorite of mine. Even though a lot of spring growth in western Washington has been late to appear due to the cold weather, I was able to find some nice scenes with some patience and careful looking.

First, Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) just beginning to bloom on the forest floor. The brownish background consists of a typical early-spring assortment of sticks and leaf litter. I like how I was able to get that color to come through clearly, and hence the early-spring feel, without making the background busy. F/4.

Next, a newly opened trillium flower (Trillium ovatum). F/4.

On my last trip, I took some pictures of colorful huckleberry foliage. Here's a better composition along those lines, including a flower bud as well. Due to better weather, I had less wind and a lot more time to work with, enabling me to do a better job. I'm pretty confident that it is a huckleberry (genus Vaccinium), but less so of the species. F/5.

Here's an actual huckleberry flower (genus Vaccinium; again, I'm not quite confident which species). F/5.6.

The forest-floor shot below features bleeding heart leaves and a fern (I don't know what kind) unfurling. It's different, but I think I like it. F/4.5.

Next, the Sauk River. F/18, 1/8 of a second.

Lastly, a view from the short Beaver Lake trail, which is very near the Old Sauk Trail. The best parts of the Beaver Pond trail - bridges and boardwalk through wetlands, followed by some old-growth forest - are now inaccessible due to bridge damage. Still, I got this nice landscape of a swampy area prior to the closure. I like the spring growth in the foreground. F/16.

Signs of Spring at Moss Lake

Last weekend, I went to Moss Lake, hoping to get a short trip in before afternoon rain. I was successful in this, and although the rain and breezes came a bit earlier than I had thought, I still found a few nice spring-growth compositions. I don't know whether Moss Lake will become a frequent destination of mine - the second-growth forest isn't particularly scenic, nor is the terrain very varied along the trail. The lake itself is pretty and ecologically rich, but the trail only visits it briefly. Still, I'm glad I checked the place out.

First, a salmonberry flower (Rubus spectabilis) just starting to open up. I backed off a bit from the flower because I decided I liked the addition of the background branches to the composition. F/5.6.

Next, new growth on what I think is a native huckleberry plant - perhaps red huckleberry (Vaccinium parviflorum). I like the vivid colors. F/5.

Below, what I believe is red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), with new leaves and buds visible. F/5.

Finally, a forest perspective through some moss. F/8.

That's all for now! Who's ready for some spring weather? I sure am. I'm looking forward to getting out on some longer hikes, finding some better wildflower displays, or both. Stay tuned!