Magnolia

Lat:47.6520948, Lon:-122.4013448
1:00-2:30
Day, 2012
4/22/12

Today was relatively sunny. There were a few clouds in the sky that covered up the sun at times, but overall the day was pretty nice. The temperature may've been around 60 degrees F. It was dry and comfortable.

I saw many plant species during this expedition and only a few animals. Of the plants, my favorite were a willow tree, a red alder, and a fucus. The willow tree was about 20-30 feet tall and probably about 15-20 feet wide. Its thin branches swooped downward, some just barely touching the ground. These branches had many notches on them and some even resembled bamboo shoots because of their smooth and shiny appearance. The leaves were very short and curved in all directions. Some had these almost lichen-looking type things growing out of them.

The red alder was especially interesting because it seemed to be growing out of the side of some land. This land was on the coast just infront of the beach. Red alders are one of my favorite trees because of their tiny cones. I don't know why but I am pretty fascinated by these cones. I wonder if, when the tide comes in, if the water carries these cones to different locations and whether its even possible for them to survive the trip.

The rockweed was also pretty interesting. I've seen this plant a lot along the beach both in the water (alive?) and dried up on the beach but never knew what it was called. Upon looking it up, I found that this species grows more abundantly on sloped rocks; and its presence increases species richness as it can "provide protection, shelter and food for a variety of small invertebrates."

Species List:
Tea camellia
California bumble bee
Roses
Grape hyacinth
Cherry laurel
Hybrid bluebell
Common goldeneye
Yellow shore crab
Himalayan blackberry
Pill bug
American crow
Cabbage white
Rose campion
Poison hemlock
Canada goose
Red alder
Rockweed
Common lilac
Malus
Willow

Posted on May 21, 2012 10:45 PM by lisad22