1. June 3, 2008, 2-4pm, Dock Point Trail
2. showers, upper 50s, light breeze
3. Inlet beach, rocky, leading to tidal marsh, up a gravel trail with steep sides, large rocky outcrops with glacier turbidite fans
4. Plants observed and personally identified: Sitka Spruce, Salmonberry, mosses, lichen,Sitka Alder, Devil's Club, Scouler Willow, Starflower, Dandelion, Skunk Cabbage, False Hellebore, Corn Lily, Horsetails, Blueberry
5. Animals observed and identified: mosquitoes, sparrow, bee, 2 crows, red squirrel, gulls, aphid, ducks
I just got back from our field trip, and I am damp from the rain and glad to have gone. It was great being able to identify so many things, but not always easy, even with the field guides we have. However, as a group, we found many different plants in a relatively small area. The reason for this is the diversity of the altitudes we traversed. We went from the rocky shore, past the marshy Duck Flats, and up to the top of this little island, which Dr. Julie told us was a remnant of Old Rain Forest area, which the glaciers skirted around. There were Sitka Spruce at the top which were very big around and must have been ancient.
It being Spring, many of the plants there were in their young phase, and if we go back in a few weeks, they will have changed a great deal. Immanuel found squirrel dens in the roots of some spruce trees, and a nest up in the branches. Underneath were the remains of the cones they had eaten during the long winter, piled up. Giggy informed us that if we wash our hair with the lichens, it will get shiny, and that the sap from the spruce would be good chewing gum. I don't think I'll try it.
One of the neat things we found was a Chocolate Lily, which will have brown flowers later on, and according to V. Pratt's Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers, is edible, but smells bad. We saw a few plants, though, that were definitely not edible and in fact poisonous. For example, we saw False Solomon's Seal, and Devil's Club, and Cow Parsnip, all of which are nasty in various ways. . . gorgeous plants. . . but nasty. Another neat thing was the Skunk Cabbage we saw. They have the most beautiful yellow lily- like flowers, and although they smell like skunk, I think I like them most of all.
2. showers, upper 50s, light breeze
3. Inlet beach, rocky, leading to tidal marsh, up a gravel trail with steep sides, large rocky outcrops with glacier turbidite fans
4. Plants observed and personally identified: Sitka Spruce, Salmonberry, mosses, lichen,Sitka Alder, Devil's Club, Scouler Willow, Starflower, Dandelion, Skunk Cabbage, False Hellebore, Corn Lily, Horsetails, Blueberry
5. Animals observed and identified: mosquitoes, sparrow, bee, 2 crows, red squirrel, gulls, aphid, ducks
I just got back from our field trip, and I am damp from the rain and glad to have gone. It was great being able to identify so many things, but not always easy, even with the field guides we have. However, as a group, we found many different plants in a relatively small area. The reason for this is the diversity of the altitudes we traversed. We went from the rocky shore, past the marshy Duck Flats, and up to the top of this little island, which Dr. Julie told us was a remnant of Old Rain Forest area, which the glaciers skirted around. There were Sitka Spruce at the top which were very big around and must have been ancient.
It being Spring, many of the plants there were in their young phase, and if we go back in a few weeks, they will have changed a great deal. Immanuel found squirrel dens in the roots of some spruce trees, and a nest up in the branches. Underneath were the remains of the cones they had eaten during the long winter, piled up. Giggy informed us that if we wash our hair with the lichens, it will get shiny, and that the sap from the spruce would be good chewing gum. I don't think I'll try it.
One of the neat things we found was a Chocolate Lily, which will have brown flowers later on, and according to V. Pratt's Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers, is edible, but smells bad. We saw a few plants, though, that were definitely not edible and in fact poisonous. For example, we saw False Solomon's Seal, and Devil's Club, and Cow Parsnip, all of which are nasty in various ways. . . gorgeous plants. . . but nasty. Another neat thing was the Skunk Cabbage we saw. They have the most beautiful yellow lily- like flowers, and although they smell like skunk, I think I like them most of all.
We saw a "nurse tree," which is a rotting felled tree, acting as nurtition and safe harbor for new baby trees (in this case Sitka Spruce), mushrooms, mosses, and lichens. It's just a wonderful reminder that from death springs life, and we are all interconnected in the circle of life.
Lastly, we found the remains of what we think was a Bald Eagle- the feathers were all over the place. We figured they must have been from an old or infirm eagle, and they were very scattered and well picked over, meaning they helped nourish other animals. It is illegal to own the feathers or other parts of the Bald Eagle, so we left them there. Indeed, I called Animal Control just to let them know about the site.
Lastly, we found the remains of what we think was a Bald Eagle- the feathers were all over the place. We figured they must have been from an old or infirm eagle, and they were very scattered and well picked over, meaning they helped nourish other animals. It is illegal to own the feathers or other parts of the Bald Eagle, so we left them there. Indeed, I called Animal Control just to let them know about the site.
Good for you to let Animal control know. What did they say?
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