This tree is right outside the Communications building on Stevens Way on the UW campus. It has asymmetrical, white flowers with 2 petals and large, round brown nuts. The flowers have an interesting center (reminds me of a dandelion but with black seeds on the ends). It has ridged, oval shaped leaves that come to a point at the tip.
This interesting shrub has large, paddle-like leaves and grows over the ledge of my neighbors garden wall. It was questionable what color the flowers are, as they were dead...but I think they are white.
This huge mimosa tree is growing in my backyard. It is much larger than Mimosa trees typically get, and there is bracing on the branches due to this fact. My landlord originally told me that this is a mimosa tree. In the summer, it has tiny frond-like leaves that resemble a fern and pink flowers.
This bush has dense branches with long, thin leaves. It has bright purple flowers with interestingly shaped petals. The petals curve away from the center of the flower
This tree is on the UW campus behind Gerberding Hall. I noticed a large cluster of sticks and leaves, which I assume is a birds nest of some kind. I'm not sure what type of bird, but the nest is about 2 feet long by 1 foot wide. I can hear high pitched chirping coming from the nest but I cannot climb high enough to look inside. The nest is approximately 20 feet from the ground.
I had a hard time getting a good picture of this bird. Hopefully someone will be able to recognize it from theses photos. It appears to be some sort of gull, but I'm not sure what species. Judging from the plumage, I also think this might be a juvenile.
This crow (and several others) were flying together near Drumheller Fountain on UW campus. They were calling to eachother from trees. I noticed that they would extend there head and open their beaks widely when making these calls in a bobbing motion. While flying, they would often dive sharply towards the ground, displaying their agility.
I saw this beautiful blue jay just south of Drumheller Fountain on the UW campus. I recognize it at a Steller's jay because of its distinct blue plumage and black head/upper body. I believe this species is also known as the Mountain Jay. It is a native bird and is commonly found in coniferous forests. When I observed this specimen, it was eating worms on the lawn.
I saw this Japanese maple in Wallingford a few weeks ago. It has 7 palmed red leaves. It has thin drooping branches and the leaves were each about 2-3 inches long. This plant does well in Seattle because it grows in the shade and withstands cloudy weather.
I saw this lodgepole pine at the UW Botanic Garden. I identified it by a) the sign attached to it b) the needles which grow in pairs c) the egg shaped cones are covered in resin.
I saw this flowering bush at the Botanic Garden in Seattle. It has small pink flowers, about 1 inch in diameter.
I saw these daffodils at the Arboretum in Seattle. I notice the 6 petals and bright yellow color. These flowers are pretty distinctive.
I saw this cherry tree at the arboretum. I noticed the drooping branches and darker flowers and wondered what type this is?
I saw this European native conifer at the Arboretum in Seattle. I know it is English Oak because it was tagged, however, some of the characteristic features are rugged branches and acorns.
I saw this flowering bush near the Arboretum in Seattle. It was not labeled, but I believe it is a rhododendron. Can someone confirm this?
I saw this tree at the Arboretum in Seattle. I was not familiar with the water oak, but the majority of the tree species are labeled. The water oak was very tall (I would estimate 60 ft). It has rough ridges in the bark and produces acorns. It is native to the East Coast (FL).
Daisies can be seen growing in grassy areas throughout Seattle. They are ubiquitous in grassy areas and lawns on the UW campus. They have a yellow center and many small white petals. The stem is round and has translucent fuzzy hairs.
I saw this salal on a walk around the UW campus. It was seen near NE Stevens Wat and Rainier Vista. It has oval leathery leaves, (see journal).
This purple flower was found on a low-growing bush by the side of the road in Wallingford.
I saw this very interesting flower on Burke and 40th in Wallingford. It was growing in someone's yard and has a very unique bowl shape with two smaller "bells" hanging off.
I saw this interesting fungus on a tree at the Mill Creek Nature Preserve. It was in several clusters and was green with some white.
This salamander is kept in a tank at the UW Botany Greenhouse
This is my favorite flower in the UW Botany Greenhouse. This bright purple waterlily is native to Africa.
These are marine plants that float on the surface via their bulbus petiole. These bobules are full of an extremely lightweight substance. This material is the equivalent of "botanical styrofoam" and if you cut one open, you can see that the bobules are full of air bubbles. The plant has a large leaf that acts as a sail to move the plant around.
I saw these Venus Flytraps in the UW Botany Greenhouse. They are carnivorous plants that close their "mouth" on their prey when they sense a motion stimulus. The Venus Flytraps were about 1 in across and had small sensing hairs around the mouth opening.
Another lovely flower I saw in the UW Botany Greenhouse...I can't find where I wrote down the name...
I saw this beautiful flower in the UW Botany Greenhouse. It is very large (about 6 inches) and very bright. It has ornate stamen with branches and smells nice.
I saw this Pacific bleeding heart on the side of the trail in a dense, wet forest surrounded by wetland. The leaves exhibit an interesting pattern. When it blooms, the flowers are pink and heart-shaped. This is a native species which prefers moist woodlands. It is a perennial.
I saw this mushroom on the side of the trail at Mill Creek Nature Preserve. I saw some other mushrooms nearby, the this one was larger and has a taller, narrower cap. They were the same shade of cream. The underside of the mushroom had brown "gills".
