FINAL: Carkeek Park, WA

Coordinates: -122.36725200000 47.70886600000
Date: Mon 6/4/12
Location: Carkeek Park, Seattle, WA
Conditions: Overcast (near 100% cloud cover, no rain), comfortable temperature (upper 60s)
Time: Approximately 4:00 PM

Carkeek Park is located down a winding road surrounded by dense forest area. Although it is not raining today, the ground was slightly moist. There is a freshwater stream running through the area. It is surrounded by many Bigleaf maple trees. There is an assortment of other tree species, all of which have moss and lichen on the side. There is is a dense understory of decomposing organic matter and low growing shrubs. On the downed trees, stumps, and logs there is a variety of fungus, moss, and lichens. I am not very good at recognizing these species, but I spot several species I recognize, including shield lichen and antlered perfume (lichens); as well as fungus like artist's conk and turkey tail. Others I am not completely certain of, but I identified them to my best ability, given my limited knowledge of these species.

Most of the trees in the area seem to be deciduous, although there are also many conifers. I recognize western redcedar and douglas fir by their characteristic needles. As far as the shrubs in the area, I have come across several that I recognize, including salmonberry (I believe the berries are ripe!), indian plum, creeping buttercup, holly, and tall oregon grape. I know it is tall oregon grape rather than dull because the leaves are shiny, it has a woody stem, and it is taller.

According to a sign at the entrance to the trail, this is a salmon spawning area for Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta).

Examining a rotting stump, surrounded by beautiful green moss!

There is one fern that I don't recognize. It is listed as "ID Please!" in my observations. It looks quite different from western sword fern, which I also observe in the area. The fronds are somewhat rounded and less shiny. Here is a photo of both ferns:

Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum)

Unidentified fern

I also do not recognize these shiny black berries. I do not dare taste them, I made that mistake once before...and it was a good thing I spit it out, it was poisonous! I think I will settle for a photograph rather than a taste test this time:

Unidentified berries

However, I had no problem identifying the salmon berries (at least I hope...I feel fine, and I ate one, but I must admit it was a little tart)

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

I also came across an intriguing log with 2 very different slugs on it. One slug was dark brown and robust with ridges (more textured) and the other was honey colored, with a slightly longer, slender body and protrusive antennae.

The "interracial slug couple"
Also, is that some Genus Xanthoria I see in the background?

I only added species that I specifically recognized to the species list. I will add the more difficult ones later if I can identify them!

Species List:
Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Slug (Gastropoda)
Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum)
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Western redcedar (Thuja plicata)
Tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
Artist's conk (Ganoderma applanatum)
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
Western trillium (Trillium ovatum)
Horsetail (Equisetum)
Indian Plum (Oemleria cerasiformis)
Orange Jelly Fungi (Dacrymyces palmatus)
Shield Lichen (Parmelia sulcata)
Antlered Perfume (Evernia prunastri)
Genus Hypoxylon
American robin (Turdus migratorius)
Genus Xanthoria

Posted on June 5, 2012 11:37 AM by kates17