Viola glabella | Sitka Nature

Stream Violets

matt goff — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:06:55 +0000

Stream Violets we picked for eating.

This week we picked Stream Violets (Viola glabella) for our wild food. Connor was a little bit over enthusiastic about his picking approach and managed to grab a fair amount of grass in with the handfuls of violets. We also ended up with a lot more stem than I might have been inclined to get, otherwise. Rowan did not want to pick at all, though in the end she did pick a couple.

Violets eaten straight by themselves have a bit of a peppery taste, but not too strong. We ate them in tacos (as an alternative to lettuce) and they worked pretty well for that.

The post Stream Violets first appeared on Sitka Nature.

Blue Lake

matt goff — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:56:36 +0000

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Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) is fairly common along the main river flowing into Blue Lake.

Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) is not something I saw before wandering around Blue Lake this summer.

Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) seems to favor gravel bars near the river.

Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) flower.

Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) flowers.

Upper Blue Lake shoreline.

These Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) tracks seem fairly small and are probably from a younger bear.

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Tracks

Remains of last year's Common Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)

Northwest Territory Sedge (Carex utriculata)

North peaks of Clarence Kramer Mountain

A squirrel was working on these dandelion tops before I startled it away.

Swamp Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile)

Fissidens adianthoides was growing in the nook of a stump below the high water mark.

Alpine Mitrewort (Mitella pentandra)

Niphotrichum ericoides was abundant on the gravel bars of the main river flowing into Blue Lake.

Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus)

Marsh Yellowcress (Rorippa barbareifolia) seemed happy in the mud below the high-water mark.

Spotted Sandpiper nest

The Spotted Sandpiper nest is under the stick that angles up at the lower middle of the picture.

False-asphodel (Triantha sp

Western Bittercress (Cardamine occidentalis) observed growing on mudflats at upper end of Blue Lake.

Northern Single-spike Sedge (Carex scirpoidea) observe growing on gravel bar along Blue Lake Creek.

Observe growing on alder in riparian zone along Blue Lake Creek.

Northern Bluegrass (Poa stenantha) Observed growing on gravel bar along Blue Lake Creek.

Observed on Blue Lake Creek Gravel Bar.

Observed in valley above Blue Lake.

Observed growing in streamlet-side forest clearing in valley above Blue Lake.

Observed in valley above Blue Lake.

Observed growing on fallen log in valley above Blue Lake.

Observed growing near small stream in forested area in valley above Blue Lake.

Observed growing along Blue Lake Creek. This identification is tentative.

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense) growing on riparian gravel bar.

The post Blue Lake first appeared on Sitka Nature.

9 May Photos: Walk to Totem Park

matt goff — Sat, 10 May 2008 06:01:02 +0000

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Frost damaged Early Blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium)

Stream Violet (Viola glabella) in bloom.

Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) nest in a wreath.

Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus) foraging at Totem Park.

Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) foraging at Totem Park.

Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus) foraging at Totem Park.

Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) foraging at Totem Park.

The post 9 May Photos: Walk to Totem Park first appeared on Sitka Nature.

25 May Photos: Quarry Muskeg and Indian River Trail

matt goff — Sat, 26 May 2007 06:59:21 +0000

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Developing Crowberries (Empetrum nigrum)

Sphagnum austinii is a common species in some muskegs.

Stream Violet (Viola glabella)

The post 25 May Photos: Quarry Muskeg and Indian River Trail first appeared on Sitka Nature.