Buckbean
Menyanthes trifoliata
This plant is common in areas with standing water, though it seems to have a preference for water that flows just a little more than the typical muskeg puddle. Perhaps it’s a preference for a range of pHs and straight muskeg puddles are too acidic.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber
Red-breasted Sapsuckers are the most common summer woodpecker around Sitka. This one is nesting in the woods near Westwood Trail and makes frequent use of the willow tree behind the neighbor’s house as it busily makes the rounds gathering food to feed its young.
Pacific Crabapple
Malus fusca
Crabapples are reasonably common at low elevations where there is good light. I have mostly noticed them at edge of the forest along beaches where the terrain is not very steep. They’re probably not limited to these locations, however. The fruit of this tree is small and very tart. In my experience, you either pick them before they get totally ripe (and then stemming them is a pain), or you pick them when they are soft, and you end up with juice in your bag. I’ve made jam out of them (they have enough pectin that you don’t need to add more), and still have a quart of sauce in the freezer that I’ve not manage to get around to using.
Sixspotted Orbweaver
Araniella displicata
I have seen spiders like this a couple of times before. I was thinking it might be a Crab Spider of some sort (probably because I associate them with the bright colors), but upon checking a little further, that didn’t seem likely. I was eventually able to determine (with the help of bugguide.net and Slowik’s paper on the spiders of North Chichagof) the species.
Northern Star Flower
Trientalis europea
Northern Star Flower can be found in clearings from beach meadows to above the treeline, including muskegs. It seems that what they need is some moisture and light, but are fairly tolerant of other conditions.
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