Fields of electric blue
Batchelor’s Buttons covered the hillsides as we hiked up the switchbacks to the top of the plateau. The blue-purple shades are electric, like a Van Gogh painting.
Some like Western Yarrows seemed to cluster in different colors, in this case yellow or white.
Wildflowers Beyond the Gorge
Valley floor
Lower down in the Willammette Valley, the rhododendrons are exploding in a wide variety of colors. Mountain Bluet (which I have heard called “pineapple plant” locally, or at least by my mother-in-law) shows up on trails and yards everywhere. We recently planted a dogwood in our backyard, which had the most beautiful blossoms last week. This photo is from my in-law’s place, where I’ve shot many other beautiful native species.
Mt. Rainier from Tolmie Peak Trail, WA, July 2017. It was a bit late to see bear-grass, but still a striking scene.
A different kind of hike
I’ve wanted to do more outings specifically to tour the incredible wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest. It gives us a reason to go to places we haven’t seen yet, and changes the nature and tempo of our hikes: stopping and examining things along the way is the point. Looking closer at the things all around us is good for you.