Volcano Creek Ranch

A visiting pair of moose! (Moose are not particularly common here, so this was a special event!)

These amazing flowers typically appear in June. I finally looked them up and discovered they are sagebrush mariposa lilies, Calochortus macrocapus.

Why we have satellite reception issues in the Methow Valley :-). (Yes, that is the Ranch's ViaSat Internet dish, and yes, that is a great horned owl, Bubo virginianus, sitting on the sensor!)

These were profuse this year, I don't know the species for sure, but I think they are baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii).

Yellow Bells (Fritillaria pudica) are increasing within the protection of the fence!

This is milkweed, probably showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa). Milkweed is not common in the Methow, but it has colonized the ranch, which is exciting given the threatened nature of monarch butterflies (for which milkweed is their only food).

March 2022. Unfortunately, I don't know the species. But the picture was too nifty to waste (if you don't see anything, look more closely in the exact center of the image).

This gorgeous plant is death camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum) a plant which is exactly as poisonous as it sounds.

Nuttall's larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) not common, but scattered here and there.

An early silky lupine (Lupinus sericeus) getting its blooming done before the grass takes over.

Probably my favorite Methow Valley flower, woollypod (or pussytoes) (Astragalus purshii) named for the seedpods.

One of the highlights of spring is the return of the bluebirds. The Methow has both western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) and mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides). This is probably a male western bluebird, due to the bright blue back with tinges of orange on the wings. Here he has tripped the camera by the ranch gate.

November in the Methow means ice fog. Ice fog isn't the most optimistic weather pattern ever, but the hoarfrost resulting from the ice fog is fabulous. This is hoarfrost on the fence framing dawn over Mt. Gardner

A maripose lily (probably Calochortus lyallii) which is such a joy in the spring.

Spring Yellow Bells (Fritillaria pudica) welcoming April showers at the Volcano Creek Ranch.

Spring beauties (probably Claytonia lanceolata) are the very first spring flower - often coming up with snow still on the ground.

Fall Sunset at the Volcano Creek Ranch (pre-fence)