Mayflowers
May 19, 2025
A pensive Calliope hummingbird (the size of a normal thumb) on its perch in the Spokane River gorge
Leaning toward June, with wildflowers
Forty-five years ago I left church early because the light coming through the stained glass windows suddenly, and ominously, went dark. It was supposed to be a cloudless day. For me, it was also supposed to be a day off. But within a couple hours I was an impromptu guest in a Kittitas County sheriff’s car, observing a massive pile up on the interstate near Thorpe, WA. Ash was falling and it was hard to see much beyond forty yards or so.
Of course, that was the day Mt. St. Helens literally blew its top. Yesterday was better, as I was out photographing orioles and warblers (instead of car pile-ups) in the sun breaks between clouds tossing down only cold rain and ice pellets.
Mid-may is ordinarily beautiful and today’s gallery is a small celebration of its natural bouquets.
A rolling riot of daisies in the northern Palouse, western Whitman County
Carey’s balsamroot in the pines near Fishtrap Lake
Camas blooming along an ephemeral stream
Raindrop on sticky geranium in a meadow bordering Sprague Lake, in Lincoln County
Poppies stealing the show amid nascent bachelor buttons
Yarrow elbowing up amid blanket flower and sticky geranium
To continue viewing this post please support this project with a paid annual subscription to The Daily Rhubarb at the link above. tx
