Journal Entry 6

4/15/12

Location: Nature Preserve in Mill Creek, WA. Forest like area with a main stream flowing through.

Weather: Partly clouds, partly sun. It varied between the two during my observation. There was no rain.

The entire forest preserve area webs its way between neighborhoods, streets, and parks. While walking on a trail, the backyards (and bird feeders) of a few homes in the distance are visible. The area used to have a larger variety of wildlife than it does now. History: The stream also used to have a higher water level and more frogs and fish living there. Salmon and other fish used to use the stream for spawning and a recently refurbished fish ladder has been around for years. Animals I have heard or seen in the past which are no longer found are: Deer, coyote, fox, fish, and possibly a black bear (my family claims to have seen). A few creatures still around: raccoon, owls (not sure what species, I can only hear them at night), blue heron, garter snake, frogs, and hawks (Amongst others).

There is a lot of lichen and moss in the preserve. Many low level growing plants with some water plants growing along the side of he stream, such as cattail. Ferns cover most of the steeper areas of the preserve farther away from the stream. Amongst the larger trees are Cedar, Alder, Maple, and Fir.

Species scene during this observation:
Sword fern
Salmonberry
False Lily-od-the-Valley
Douglas Fir
Salal
Yellow-Green Peat Moss
Skunk Cabbage
Common Dandelion
Giant Horsetail

Posted on May 2, 2012 12:41 AM by lmiyamoto lmiyamoto

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:47 PM PDT

Description

There is a lot of sword fern the Mill Creek nature preserve. The area is forest and surrounding a stream. Many of these adult ferns cover the ground and there are currently not many young sword ferns growing. This particular plant had long stalks of edges leaves. Each stalk about two or three feet long. On the undersides of each leaflet are pollen collected in round shapes.

Photos / Sounds

What

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:49 PM PDT

Description

Salmonberry in the forest like nature preserve that sounds a stream. This plant was found farther from the water than others in the area and has some bright pink/magenta flowers. No berries were found, and the plant was about 5 feet tall.

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Lily of the Valley (Maianthemum dilatatum)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:51 PM PDT

Description

This plant was all around in the moister area of thee nature preserve by the stream bank. It was low to the ground, with large leaves, but it was not blooming so I am not confident in my identification.

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:54 PM PDT

Description

Douglas Fir I found in the forest nature preserve. The bark is very ridged and rough and the branches at the top seem to droop but it is difficult to tell from the ground. The area is moist and has other large trees, such as cedar, alder, and hemlock.

Photos / Sounds

What

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:56 PM PDT

Description

Salal on the side of a walkway. See journal.

Photos / Sounds

What

Menzies' Tree Moss (Leucolepis acanthoneura)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:57 PM PDT

Description

Near the stream in the nature preserve is this moss. The dirt the moss is growing in is very most and the area in general is cool and wet. It covers much of the ground area.

Photos / Sounds

What

Red-berried Elder (Sambucus racemosa)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 01:59 PM PDT

Description

This is a tree that I found but I need help identifying. As far as I can tell the branches are opposite and relatively bare except for a few broad leaves with edged leaves and all the leaves look new and light green. It is nearby some Salmonberry and alders. Also, the area is wet and cool and nearby a stream bank.

Photos / Sounds

What

Douglas' Neckera Moss (Neckera douglasii)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 02:02 PM PDT

Description

I saw some moss growing on an alder tree. It was close to the base of the tree. The area is fairly wet. But the moss felt fairly dry. The moss it small, long an wavy. It was a medium grayish green. The closest identity I thought it was, was the douglas' Neckera.

Photos / Sounds

What

Hybrid Rhododendron (Rhododendron × hybridum)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Description

A rhododendron in the nature preserve that surrounds a stream. It's a forest area with many conifers and most ground.

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Description

Skunk cabbage in he forest like nature preserve. Currently blooming and giving off a strong scent. See journal notes.

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 02:08 PM PDT

Description

A common dandelion in a moist ground in a forest like area. The plant was in bloom with a few yellow flowers. There were grasses surrounding it as well as peat moss.

Photos / Sounds

What

Braun's Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia ssp. braunii)

Observer

lmiyamoto

Date

April 15, 2012 02:10 PM PDT

Description

Some horsetails I found on a small stream bank. The area is a forest-like nature preserve. The area is pretty moist and there are large alder, cedar, maple, and douglas fir trees in the area. The horsetail stalks in the area are about 6-inches or taller with a few small young stalks.

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