The Carbon River Temperate Rain Forest

Welcome to the Carbon River Temperate Rain Forest, located on the west side of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. What makes this Pacific Northwest rain forest different is that it is an inland rain forest, something one does not get to see very often. Most temperate rain forests are located in coastal areas. But due to a very specific micro-climate close to Mount Rainier, this small sized rain forest flourishes. Rainfall here averages 70-90 inches per year, most of it falling during the winter and spring months. Persistent fog during the rest of the year provides moisture for the forest. The primary tree species in this forest are the Western Hemlock and Cedar. You’ll also see an abundance of Devil’s Club, a spiny shrub with large palmate type leaves.

Access to the rain forest is located at the end of a road and has limited parking. There is a short loop trail with boardwalk. But, watch your step! The boardwalk is very old and rotted in many areas. One of the foot bridges is out and you cannot complete the whole loop trail. Here are a few photos. It’s pretty hard to get clear shots with the limited lighting in the forest. It’s actually a bit eerie and spooky inside there!

Devil’s Club – Oplopanax horridus

All images property of Peggy A Thompson

 

 

Advertisements

Heronswood Garden in the Late Summer

Back for a visit to one of the most beautiful gardens I know of … Heronswood Garden, located in Port Gamble, Washington. This is my first year visiting the garden, and I’ve been returning every few months to witness the change in seasonal blooms. My latest review of the garden is not disappointing in the least. In fact, it’s stunning! So much variety, and so much color! One of my favorites were the many varieties of Hydrangea.

And here are some photos of other sections of the garden. I don’t know what some of these plants are. If you recognize any, please feel free to leave a comment as to their ID.

Inula

Agapanthus –Lily of the Nile

Red Dahlia and Yellow Leopard Plant Flowers

Pink Speckled Stargazer Lily

Asters

There is so much more! Too many to show here! And then there are those plants that are bearing fruit right now. Arisaema seeds are just forming now. They will turn a bright red as the season progresses.

Arisaema – Commonly known as Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Here are other plants with their interesting, colorful fruits and berries.

All photos property of Peggy A Thompson

If you enjoy my photography, visit my store at http://www.zazzle.com/northwestphotos

 

Late Summer Blooms

We’re at the peak of summer bloom time! And with August and September come the Dahlias! They come in so many varieties and colors. Some of them are: decorative, cactus, fimbriated, anemone, ball, collarette, single. Here’s a small sample.

Here’s one that looks like it couldn’t make up its mind what color to be!

All photos property of Peggy A Thompson

A Visit to Mount Rainier National Park

I recently paid a visit to Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. I had been waiting until the meadow wildflowers were in full bloom. I was not disappointed. I visited on a weekday, as it is not wise to visit the park on a weekend during the summer tourist months. Waiting lines to get into the park can be up to an hour. Parking lots at the Paradise area fill up very quickly. The locals (me being one of them) know this all too well. Once the Labor Day holiday is over with, traffic into the park will settle down dramatically.

I spent most of my time at the Reflection Lakes area of the park, located along Stevens Canyon Road. Early morning hours are the best times to get some nice photography shots of the mountain from this area. The sun position will be in your favor, and the water surface will be calm enough to permit a beautiful reflection of Mount Rainier. I was more interested in the wildflowers along the shoreline and composed my photos so that I included them as much as possible. Pink Fireweed and Rosy Spirea are in abundance this time of year. Pearly Everlasting is blooming as well.

Along the same road, there is a parking area to view the Nisqually River Valley. Many times, early in the morning, one can find the valley full of hanging clouds. This particular day, the clouds were hanging in the valley for most of the day, quite unusual for a summer day! Many park visitors will stop to observe the dramatic scenery when conditions are like this. Here are a few images.

The mountain itself was starting to be encased in clouds. I was able to snap one photo before heading up to Paradise, where it became obscured from view. I did manage to get a few shots of some of the glacier fields before it disappeared from view, completely.

If you enjoy my photography, visit my Northwestphotos Zazzle store. Many images I post on my blog can be found in the store along with many other items for purchase. Thanks for visiting!

All images property of Peggy A Thompson

Prehistoric Botanical Exhibit

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this summer? The W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, located in Tacoma, Washington, has a summer exhibit titled Dig It: Prehistoric Plants. It reminds me of a miniature version of Jurassic World. While walking through the conservatory, look down AND look up to find miniature dinosaurs randomly placed in the tropical foliage.  Beware the T-Rex! You might even spot a Triceratops or a Pteranodon! There’s even a photo-op area with a dinosaur mural as a back-drop. It’s great fun for the kids and for the kid in adults, too! The exhibit continues through August 11.

All photos property of Peggy A Thompson