Guest Phenology Hike with Nature Ned | May 15, 2020

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Introducing ACES’ newest phenology expert: Nature Ned!

M&M bribes don’t get my kids up the trail the way they used to. And the long, drawn out stories I tell on the trail where my boys are the heroes have all been told. They are no longer fooled by “it’s just a short hike.” So, that meant that it was time for me to get creative.

This past Saturday, all it took was a two-inch tall Lego mini-figurine and a camera and we were off with an extra spring in our step. My boys, Jack and Jesse, nicknamed the Lego man “Nature Ned” and decided that Ned was going hiking up Hunter Creek across the 10th Mountain Cut-off and down Smuggler Mountain. He was going to document the mid-May flowers. What did I think? Perfect. 

We hope you enjoy Ned’s first phenology adventure!

~ Jim Kravitz, Director of Naturalist Programs

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Field Horsetail, Equisetum arvense

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Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia

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Northern Scouring-rush, Equisetum variegatum

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Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata

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Nelson’s Larkspur, Delphinium nuttallianum

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Lanceleaf Violet, Viola vallicola

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False Solomon’s Seal, Maianthemum racemosum

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Mountain Lover, Paxistima myrsinites

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Red Columbine, Aquilegia elegantula

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Fairyslipper, Calypso Orchid, Calypso bulbosa

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Western Valerian, Valeriana occidentalis

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Bulbous Woodland Star, Lithophragma glabrum

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Perennial Rockcress, Boechera gracilenta

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Lupine, Lupinus argenteus

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Scarlet Gilia, Skyrocket, Ipomopsis aggregata

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Heart Leafed Arnica, Arnica cordifolia

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Gambel Oak, Quercus gambelli

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Antelope Bitterbrush, Purshia tridentata

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Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana

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Pasqueflower, Pulsatilla nuttalliana

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Mountain Tansymustard, Descurainia incana

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Oregon Grape, Mahonia repens

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Pale Agoseris, Agoseris glauca

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Blacktip Senecio, Senecio atratus

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Western Wallflower, Erysimum capitatum

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Spring Beauty, Claytonia lanceolata

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Pearly Everlasting, Anaphalis margaritacea

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Kinnikinick, Arcostaphylos uva-ursi

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Blue eyed Mary, Collinsia parviflora

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Porcupine chew?

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Swamp donkey poo

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Western Tent Caterpillars, Malacosoma californicum

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Quite a view!

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