Pack Forest Reserve, 3/31/2012

Started in a flat, grassy field maintained by human intervention (11:30 am), with Scotch Broom and other brush-type plants ringing the outside of the field before the tree line. Most coniferous trees had cones, and almost all deciduous trees did not have leaves yet. It was approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Within the trail from the forest, many different types of conifers were observed, covered in many different types of moss and lichens. The group headed back to the field and broke for lunch, returning and heading the opposite direction to explore the other side of the forest from our meeting spot.
Farther than 30 feet within the trail, under the tree cover, many under story plants, including Oregon Grape and 4ft or shorter Madrones grow along the path. Red Flowering Currant flowered from the wet, muddy ground in the forest. Indian Plum, not yet flowering, grew to 5 ft or taller in height deeper within the forested area. The area outside the path was carpet with lichen on trees and logs, moss and ground cover plants. A vole was spotted a few yards into the trees, with the very muddy ground creating a shifting surface to walk on. By mid-afternoon the temperature had risen to approximation 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

A large ant hill, 2 ft in diameter at its widest and 3 ft tall, was built out of pines needles and other vegetation near the edge of a pond covered in green algae. The ants were dark brown with dark red heads. The trek ended beck near the Rhododendron plant near the edge of the same clearing.

Posted on April 5, 2012 09:28 PM by