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!
Washington
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.
Cicindela oregona "Western Tiger Beetle" Carabidae
Olympic National Park, WA
June 6, 2013
Robert Niese
Look for these awesome predators on sandy river banks west of the Cascades. They are lightning fast and voracious hunters, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty of their iridescent exoskeleton!
Moneses uniflora “Single-delight” Ericaceae
Olympic National Park, WA
June 1, 2013
Robert Niese
This unique Ericad is found in moist coniferous forests across the northern hemisphere and is the sole member of its genus. It truly is delightful!
Vaccinium ovalifolium “Oval-leaf Bluberry” Ericaceae
Mount Rainier National Park, WA
August 9, 2013
Robert Niese
Cladonia sp. “Pixie Cup Lichen”
Olympic National Park, WA
June 6, 2013
Robert Niese
This easily recognizable lichen genus is one of my favorites. The tall cup-like structures for which the group is named are actually modified structures that release spores. Other members of the genus, such as Cladonia cristatella, the British Soldier Lichens, produce a bright red cap on each tall stem instead of a shallow cup.
Anemone occidentalis “Western Anemone” Ranunculaceae
Mount Rainier National Park, WA
August 4, 2012
Robert Niese
While many hikers will often overlook the flowering phase of this Anemone, their fruiting phase is definitely impossible to miss.
Northwest Naturalist 