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Flower Families of Mt. Ellinor

Eriophyllum lanatum (Oregon Sunshine)

On July, 17, 2019, the Natural History Society joined for a summer hike up rocky Mt. Ellinor. We were fortunate that botanist Coca Sanchez led us on her annual wildflower walk for the Natural History Society. She took us up a steep mountain to seek endemic wildflowers. Coca also discussed some of our most common flower families, and pointed out blooming species.

Chamaenerion angustifolium (Fireweed), Eriophyllum lanatum (Oregon Sunshine), Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

Mt. Ellinor is known for its wildflower meadows and spectacular views from rocky ridges. We hiked from the upper trailhead to the summit for views of Lake Cushman and the surrounding Olympic peaks.

Eileen at JLTnatural@saveland.org arranged meeting time and place, what to bring, and additional information.

July 2019 Book Selection

The Jefferson Land Trust Natural History Society Book Club will meet on Monday, July 22, 2019, 3:30 – 5:00, to discuss The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. We will meet at the shelter at Ilahee Preserve, gathering at the parking lot near San Juan Taqueria at 3:15 to carpool to the limited parking at Ilahee.

Sy Montgomery explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus and the remarkable connections they make with humans. Scientists are now establishing the intelligence of the octopus, watching them solve problems and deciphering the meaning of their color-changing camouflage techniques. Montgomery chronicles this growing appreciation of the octopus. and reveals what octopuses can teach us about consciousness and the meeting of two very different minds.

Insects at the Illahee

Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata)

On June 15, 2019, the Natural History Society spent a summer afternoon exploring insects at the Land Trust’s Illahee Preserve. Entomologist Richard Lewis led us on a short hike to look in open space, clearings, forest edges, the forest, and aquatic environments.

Tribe Chironomini
A member of Non-biting Midges Family Chironomidae

Richard told us about insects and their role in the natural world. He discussed the different types of insects we find here and their life histories and roles in nature. Richard introduced a variety of sampling techniques including sweep nets, aerial nets, aquatic nets, traps, and beat trays. In each area we looked for and discussed evidence of insects such as feeding damage, nests, tracks, and prey.

Harpaphe haydeniana (Yellow-spotted millipede)

Nan at JLTnatural@saveland.org arranged meeting time and place, what to bring, and additional information.

June 2019 Book Selection

On Monday, June 24, 2019, the JLT Natural History Society book club will discuss Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. We will meet in the gazebo at Ilahee Preserve from 3:30-5:00. Let’s gather at 3:15 in the parking lot across from San Juan Taqueria on Prospect Avenue (where you turn off Hwy 19 to go to Kala Point) so we can carpool to Ilahee.

The complete title of June’s book is Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent: The Importance of Everything and Other Lessons from Darwin’s Lost Notebooks. Author Lyanda Lynn Haupt is familiar to book club members, as we have read other books by her – Mozart’s Starling, Urban Bestiary, and Crow Planet.

Pilgrim on the Great Bird Continent combines observations on nature, a poetic sense, and wonderful detail on Charles Darwin. Haupt focuses mostly on the birds Darwin observed, having researched meticulously some of his lesser-known writings. She describes Darwin’s transformation into a “true naturalist” while helping us understand the human relationship to the natural world.

The Emergence of Spring: Lyre Conservation Area and the Mouth of the Elwha River

Rhododendron macrophyllum

On May 7, 2019, the Natural History Society experienced the obvious and the less-than-obvious changes that occur with the emergence of a Pacific Northwest spring. We observed a rich variety of life through the lens of ecological relationships as well as through the lens of the purely aesthetic.

Northern Alligator Lizard

This was a day of discoveries, insights, and fun, as we visited both the Lyre Conservation Area and the mouth of the Elwha River, both on the Strait of Juan Fuca, west of Port Angeles.

Carpools were organized, and non-drivers paid $12 for gasoline. Eileen at JLTnatural@saveland.org provided additional information.