FINAL: Carkeek Park

Weather: Sunny, cool
Climate: moist
Landscape: low-land forest
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: N 47.71136, W -122.37200

Upon arriving at Carkeek Park, the first thing I saw was an abundance of buttercups near the entrance to a trail on the East side of the park. These buttercups were growing alongside sword ferns, and deciduous trees. I came across a pair of yellow spotted millipedes in a log just off of the trail. These millipedes can easily be identified by their yellow spots bordering their bodies. Both observed millepedes were adults, since younger ones have fainter coloring of grey and light yellow. These bugs share their log home with other species such as moss and deer ferns. I earlier observed deer fern in Pack Forest Park, and described it in the coinciding journal entree. I found an abundance of wild raspberry bushes near a stream in the park. These bushes are just starting to bear fruit as they are currently entering into their season. I found the most common lichen of the Washington area called parmelia sulcata. This lichen was sitting on the ground in a mess of logs and leaves, providing lots of moisture and nutrients in which its livelihood depends on. Lichens have the ability to go dormant instead of dying when there is not enough food to support them, or for when their climate is not moist enough. I heard a lot of different bird sounds while I was there. I got to see Robins feeding on multiple occasions near the stream, but was unable to get a picture. I also encountered stinging nettles on multiple occasions. These obnoxious plants give off a toxin in their thorns so if you accidentally run into one it feels similar to a bee sting. Stinging nettle is a native perennial of Washington and it is also used in acupuncture. I also saw Oregon Grape, another very common native plant to Washington. Upon leaving Carkeek park I saw a honey bee pollinate a flower and collect pollen. Honey bees have a pollen storage spot behind their wings which is an incredible adaption. This way they can carry more pollen in one trip back to their hive! Carkeek park has a variety of natural landscapes to offer including low-land forest areas, streams, and open fields; making it a perfect place to observe natural history!

Species List:
deer fern (blechnum spicant)
sword fern
bumble bees (genus bombus)
parmelia sulcata
oregon grape
raspberry (rubus glaucus)
stinging nettle (urtica dioica)
banana slug (limax maximus)
yellow spotted millipede (harpaphe haydeniana)
buttercups (ramunculus)

Posted on June 6, 2012 11:39 PM by lmcthe01