Alpine speedwell is a perennial found in wet meadows and seep zones in areas to the east. They are part of the veronica (and figwort) family. Flowers are usually found in clusters at the top of the stalk. Flowers are blue-violet with creamy centers. Stalks are unbranched, hairy and sticky. This one was spotted on Mount Revelstoke in the wet …Continue reading…
A few varieties of trees have spiral twisting fibrous trunks. These adaptations are thought to strengthen trunks against the forces of wind, and in our northern climate, also windy winter conditions with a snow load. When we hike the montane forests of our area, we can spot pine tree stumps with the twist patterns. At higher altitudes some of the …Continue reading…
These two perennial flowers are both from the sunflower family. They are both a bright orange color and have a somewhat similar shape. <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Agoseris</span> <ul> <li>this is a taprooted plant with burnt-orange colored flowers</li> <li>the stalks are leafless and have a milky fluid in them</li> <li>it can be found from mid to alpine locations</li> <li>orange agoseris has a …Continue reading…
The broad-leaved willowherb is a low-growing perennial found next to streams, rivers, and even in creekbeds. It stands between 5cm and 30cm high and has showy pink-purple flowers in summer. The flower is sometimes called “river beauty.” It is part of the evening-primrose family, closely related to fireweed. Willowherb won’t be found nearby because of our dryer climate. We have …Continue reading…
Western pasqueflower has a number of names – western anemone, tow-headed babies, moptop, and others. After flowering the soft, whitish, hairy seedheads are easy to spot: Anemones are among the first to bloom in subalpine and alpine meadows. These ones were still blooming in the uppermost meadows on Trophy Meadows in early July. The pasqueflower is part of the buttercup …Continue reading…
Mimulus lewisii is more commonly named pink monkey flower. The flowers have a sensitive stigma that close when touched. Mimulus means “little actor.” Pink monkey flower is often found in subalpine meadows near seep zones, streams, and wet clearings. The perennial grows to 30-70 cm tall. It has sturdy rhizomes and hairy-sticky stems. The flowers are large, pink, and showy. …Continue reading…
This rush is a perennial found in high alpine meadows. Often called smooth woodrush, it has wider leaves than its cousins. It grows in tufts of less than 30cm in height. The leaves turn red in the short summer growing season. <a href=”https://kamloopstrails.net/wp-content/uploads/Revelstoke-129r.jpg”><img class=”aligncenter wp-image-10651 size-large” src=”https://kamloopstrails.net/wp-content/uploads/Revelstoke-129r-620×432.jpg” alt=”Revelstoke 129r” width=”620″ height=”432″ /></a> The woodrush is from the family Lazulae since …Continue reading…
Every summer we hike into the alpine for the wildflower displays. In the wet subalpine meadows, a green robust perennial starts to grow soon after the snows melt. The plant continues to grow to about 2m in height and has broad pointed leaves. At full height it starts to flower with star-shaped yellow green blossoms on drooping tassels. When we …Continue reading…
Evening primrose grows in a number of unlikely spots in the southwest desert. We find them in dry, sandy or rocky washes or on ledges next to trails that we hike. The oenothera caespitosa (tufted evening primrose) is white, turning pink with age. It flowers in the evening and the blooms wither in the next day’s sun. Some perennial types …Continue reading…
While hiking in Zion National Park or in other parts of the Colorado Plateau, we can see lots of evidence of cross-bedding, and on some rock faces, jointing is also added to create a cross-hatching effect. The sandstones of the area are the result of vast sand dunes which covered an area larger than the Sahara Desert. As the sands …Continue reading…
We don’t notice snowberries in the summer but by the fall when all the leaves start to fall, the clustered white berries stand out on the ends of branches of the shrubs. They are not edible and in quantities are poisonous since have a chemical called cheladonine which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a sedative effect on humans. Birds seem to …Continue reading…
We have spotted numerous mergansers on the South Thompson River, Cooney Bay, and Kamloops Lake this summer-fall. It is a large duck that feeds on fish and nests in holes of trees. It is most recognizable with its crest of longer feathers behind the head. They dive then use their serrated bills to catch fish and other aquatic creatures. …Continue reading…
The tarantula hawk is acutally a spider wasp which preys on spiders and tarantulas. It has long hooked legs with powerful claws which it uses to hold its prey, then it stings it and pulls its prey back into its lair. It then creates a hole in the tarantula's abdomen and lays an egg there. It feeds on the tarantula, …Continue reading…
Indian pipe is a member of the heath family, monotropae. They have no leaves and get their food from decaying material in humus or leaf litter. They have white or pinkish-white stems that blacken with age. other names include ghost flower, ice plant,. and corpse plant the flower hangs down, but the fruit (seeds) turn upward (as above) found in …Continue reading…
The painted lady butterfly is really a group of butterflies that are found around the world. A larger butterfly, they usually have orange wings with black spots and may have eyespots. They have a lifespan of about 4 weeks. From egg to little green caterpillar to bristly leaf-eater to pupa to chrysalis to adult takes about two weeks, …Continue reading…
How does the water strider stay on top of the water? Water striders have hydrophobic hairs on their body, including their legs. They have about 1000 microhairs per millimeter, providing resistance to drops of water, shedding the weight, keeping them light on top of the water, using surface tension to stay afloat. They have light, flexible, and strong legs, but …Continue reading…