4.14.12 Union Bay Natural Area, Seattle, WA
Date 4.14.12
Location: The Trail next to parking lot E5 at the University of Washington.
Latand long
Time: 13:30-15:30 PM
Weather: The day has been mostly sunny with scattered clouds. However, at around 1 o’clock, clouds prevailed. Slight winds. No rain as of yet (though it probably came soon after).
Observations and things taught/learned:
For recording one’s surroundings for a Naturalist project by sketching, three styles of drawing were suggested: gesture, contour, and diagrammatic sketching. Gesture drawing is getting the basic shape (proportionally) of something quickly, sometimes with added details if one has the time. Contour is a record of the outline of subjects, where things come together. Diagrammatic drawing helps to show how something works. (I think that these forms of drawing can be mixed). Pay attention to proportion by using scale comparisons (such as a pencil or “viewfinder”), squinting sometimes helps. Pay attention to rhythms and directional forces as well.
I stopped to draw in a grove of miscellaneous trees. All of the trees were young and thin (trunks within about 5 inches on average). There were a variety of trees growing. I later identified three main species of trees: Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides),
Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum), and White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia). The understory was thick with Himalayan Blackberries and Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum). On the outskirts of the grove grew a kind of Apple (Malus domestica).
I identified the Quaking Aspen by the shape of its leaves and the way in in which they “quake.” When the wind blows through them, the rustling sounds like the light pattering of rain. I noticed that unlike the Bigleaf Maple, the Aspen’s branches curve upwards rather than forming a straight angle.
I saw an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) land on the branch of a Bigleaf Maple for a few moments.
Other:
Species List:
-Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)
-Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
-White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)
-Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
-Apple (Malus domestica)
-American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Species Previously Mentioned:
-Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus)
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides)Observer
chimeravoDescription
The leaves of the Quaking Aspen "quake." This, along with the smooth edges of the leaves, helped me to identify the tree. When the leaves rustle, they make a noise that resembles the sound of light pattering rain.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)Observer
chimeravoDescription
This young Bigleaf Maple was amid a grove of young Quaking Aspens. Its branches grow at straight angles, which I found contrasted with the branches of the aspen, which curved upwards forming more of a "u" shape than a "v". I found it strange that the ground around the tree was littered with big older leaves. Did they come from a bigger Bigleaf Maple the I failed to notice (and then if so, then how come its leaves grew and fell before the smaller tree)? If not, then how come the old leaves hadn't decayed more before the tree started growing new leaves? How long ago did those leaves fall?
Photos / Sounds
What
Alders (Genus Alnus)Observer
chimeravoDescription
This is the first Alder I've thought to maybe be a White Alder. The catkins are lighter in color than the Red Alder. When I was looking up how to distinguish between the two, another characteristic unique of the White alder was that its margins are not tightly rolled under like that of the Red Alder. I'm not sure I can identify that correctly (especially since the leaves were so young, and I cannot find visual images online of what a rolled vs. nonrolled margin looks like), but I do think it a possibility that it would be growing in that area.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)Observer
chimeravoDescription
I found these growing close to the ground, amid grass and brambles. I learned that the tops and leaves are edible.
Photos / Sounds
What
Apple (Malus domestica)Observer
chimeravoDescription
I saw multiple apple trees like this one. They did not grow close together as the Quaking Aspens, Bigleaf Maples, or White Alders. The apple trees were thickly covered in light pink blossoms.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)Observer
chimeravoDescription
This is a crude drawing/watercolor of the Robin I saw that landed in the Bigleaf Maple that I posted earlier.
Photos / Sounds
What
Catchweed Bedstraw (Galium aparine)Observer
chimeravoDescription
I noticed that the leaves of cleavers grow in shelves, and that these shelves, with stem in between, grow in a circle around the stem. Cleavers also have little, well "cleavers" on them that make them "sticky." I, after hikes in the woods, have found cleavers stuck to my clothes (no doubt stealthily placed their by friends).
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