Avalanche of wildflowers
Wildflowers flowing down a ravine along the Columbia River canyon south of Goldendale, Washington.
May 19th-21st. 2011 ~ My wife and I followed the sunshine down to the Oregon Coast for a few days of walking barefoot in the sand, a waterfalls hike, eagles, seals, a visit with kin, and some low budget investing at the Spirit Mountain casino at Grand Ronde, Oregon - for my wife.
On our way to the Oregon coast, we stopped to photograph the recently installed wind generators churning the blue sky south of Goldendale Washington. We drove the back road up from Hood River to Government Camp to check out the bright white spring snow on Mt. Hood. At the lodge on Mt. Hood the parking lots were overflowing with sun starved snow boarders, up for some sun and fun on the slopes of the ski area there.
On the Oregon coast, we took our favorite beach hike to the Nestucca River estuary where we always find seals, eagles, and an assortment of wildlife (not to mention uncrowded sandy beaches to walk). We took the short hike to Munson Creek Falls for the first time. It was a short easy walk to a coast waterfalls, which plummets 250 feet into a deep dark green forest canyon.
We also enjoyed an unhurried meal at one of those fast disappearing small town small cafes, where people are friendly and the food is great in Pacific City.
These are some of the photos from that three day trip.
Comments and faves
54vintage (13 months ago | reply)
Great shot OMT......It's always interesting to see the gorge while things are still growing. So darn beautiful!
But I don't recognize the three petal wild flowers on the ridge ;-)
Julia Manzerova (13 months ago | reply)
this composition is as perfect as they come...
Julia Manzerova added this photo to their favorites. (13 months ago)
oldmantravels (13 months ago | reply)
Chuck - The ridgetop whites are a new member of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) family of flowers. Large, quick growing, impossible to pick, these three petal white flowers are at their best "waving in the wind". [Machaeranthera goldendaleii blanca] The Goldendale white aster.
OMT
oldmantravels (13 months ago | reply)
Thanks Julia. Your comment is as nice as they come. OMT
54vintage (13 months ago | reply)
Sir.....your knowledge of western wildflowers is impressive!!
xsallyx (13 months ago | reply)
They appear to be a quickly spreading weed from what I have seen. There is a group that goes around planting the seeds too, in broad daylight of all things, I have evidence!
www.flickr.com/photos/myspacexwhatsxerxnamex/ 5306501719/i...
Hahaha!!!
oldmantravels (13 months ago | reply)
Chuck - It is fun to make a "wildflower" ID, that I know won't be challenged by an expert out there. You know the old saw "if you can't baffle them with facts, then bluff them with BS". I'm learning. HA. OMT
oldmantravels (13 months ago | reply)
Thank you Sally. And now I know the secret of "where baby windmills come from". Glad the explanation wasn't "R" rated. HA. OMT