We parked at Dupont P&R. Even though we've already emailed in our waiver, still had to sign a sheet. I also got a printout of the plant list, thank you Cyndy. Then, all of us piled into Rod's "mini-bus". He drove into JBLM. On entering the toll-booth like multi-lane gate, a guard scanned our enhanced driver's licenses. We actually passed 2 gates. This is a large base, with an air field, many firing ranges. Of course, stores, housing, ... However, scotch bloom is blooming everywhere. Thick. I have never seen this many scotch blooms in my life!
Rod talked about the effort in restoring this one plot amonst all the invasive plants.
He's very enthusiastic. However, by the time I finish writing this blog, he might have left this job.
They prescribe burn here to help removing invasive species.
Rod emphasised killing weed before flowering.
The plot next was just starting restoration. You can see the stark difference.
It's really a lot of effort.
There are about a dozen participants. Most know more flowers than I do. However, a couple of them had never seen death camas - which is really common near Columbia Gorge.
We saw shooting stars (Henderson's and Darkthroat). The difference are not clear.
Golden colored paintbrush, in fact a wide range between golden and red. Rod said none is the true golden, rather a hybrid.
I learned that young balsamroot looks withered, leaves curled up, lying on ground.
Some lupine have purple leaves.
Saw early blue violet, Sea-pink, Idaho blue-eyed grass.
On our way back to Seattle, stopped at Seward Park for a book talk in celebrating World Migrating Bird Day organized by Seattle Audubon, which has a very nice old building in the park.
However, parking was scarce here, and Audubon's event didn't mention that the book event is held outdoor at the "amphitheater".
We got there very late.
The amphitheater area is very nice. Large lawn, now dotted with little white daisies. I had never been here before!
They were selling books here, but unfortunately, it started raining.
5/4, Sunday, 7:30pm.