Acer macrophyllum “Bigleaf Maple” Aceraceae
Tacoma, WA
April 14, 2013
Robert Niese
The blooming of the Bigleaf Maples coincides with the arrival of many small insectivorous bird species to the Pacific Northwest. Birds such as the Orange-crowned Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and Warbling Vireo rely on the insects attracted to these flowers in the springtime.
Anthaxia (Melanthaxia) Buprestidae
Glacier National Park, MT
June 23, 2014
Robert Niese
These tiny wood borers (9mm long) are found abundantly in flower heads throughout the summer here in Montana.
Guepiniopsis alpinus “Poor Man’s Gumdrop” Basidiomycota
Olympic National Park, WA
June 1, 2013
Robert Niese
Acer macrophyllum “Bigleaf Maple” Aceraceae
Olympic National Park, WA
June 6, 2013
Robert Niese
The largest leaves on Bigleaf Maples easily reach 2 feet in length! These trees are keystone species in riparian zones throughout the wet lowlands of the PNW and are particularly important for sustaining healthy moss populations.
Ariolimax columbianus “Pacific Banana Slug” Gastropoda
Olympic National Park, WA
June 2, 2013
Robert Niese
This little banana slug escaped into a hole created by a beetle larva in order to escape the midday summer heat. What a cutie!
Mount Rainier from Paradise Valley
Fourth Crossing Trail-Paradise Rd E, Mount Rainier National Park, WA
August 12, 2013
Robert Niese
Rosa nutkana “Nootka Rose” Rosaceae
Tacoma, WA
June 11, 2012
Robert Niese
This wild rose is a gorgeous and common inhabitant of moist forests throughout the northwest. When the flower dies in the fall, it leaves behind what is called a “hip.” This fruit is fantastic in teas and rich in vitamin C.
Adiantum pedatum (aleuticum) ”Northern Maidenhair Fern” Pteridaceae
Olympic National Park, WA
June 6, 2013
Robert Niese
One of my favorite Pacific Northwest Plants, these beautiful ferns are most common in very wet areas of our lowland forests. They are particularly fond of waterfalls.
Rubus parviflorus “Thimbleberry” Rosaceae
Tacoma, WA
May 2013
Robert Niese
Thimbleberry is an abundant edible berry found throughout forests in the west. They tend to grow best in disturbed areas such as roadsides, landslides, and clear cuts.
Silverbird (Empidornis semipartitus) Muscicapidae
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
January 18, 2015
Robert Niese
This is definitely not the Pacific Northwest. I think I should keep these over on my other blog (somuchscience) instead… Thoughts?
Northwest Naturalist 