Freeland, Whidbey Island

On May 26, I went up to Whidbey Island for a Memorial Day holiday weekend. The weather was very sunny, but in the forest, it was quite dark and shady. There are many more viny plants since the last time I came to Freeland a month ago. For this trip, I was mainly in the forest instead of the beach bluff. Many of the land surrounding the forest has been converted to patureland or for orchards. Common species were: Douglas Firs, Madrones, ferns, salmonberry, low shrubs, forbs, trillium, invasives, rose, eagles, robins, bees, hummingbirds, small birds, and swallows. My proudest find was a Spotted Coralroot, an orchid that grows from the forest floor. It was curious since I was aware that orchids are epiphites-plants that grow from other plant hosts. There were also many flowering bushes which turn out to produce berries of all kinds. Many are observes selections. I saw a Bald Eagle several times a day because it was nesting in the conifer in front of my house. I enjoyed visiting my cabin because I saw such a great difference in the diversity of species present since the last time I came.

Posted on June 4, 2012 11:40 PM by ajwick24