Name that Plant

I attended some events at a Celebration of Lincoln Park on Saturday.   Wonderful volunteers with organizations like Sealsitters and Friends of Lincoln Park gave guided tours and information on the flora and fauna and history of the park.  I've been taking flower pictures everywhere I go  and then try to find the names and despite valiant efforts can't pin some of them down.   I did correctly identify this one though taken along Longfellow Creek Legacy trail.  Maybe others already knew this one but I felt triumphant to come up with the name.

wild geranium  (Geranium robertianum)

Sadly though, I learned yesterday that this is an invasive plant that snuffs out the life of native plants.  So I must pull it out when I see it growing in the park.  I felt bad that such a pretty little thing could end this way.  But it turns out that it is also known by another name  "Stinky Bob".   I'll keep that in mind when I'm yanking it out by it's roots.

Here is some of the group trying to identify another plant with various methods from the latest iphone app,  to thumbing through the  well-used book and  to the old-fashioned get down close and take a good look approach. 




Our leader Sharon pointing out the plant 'fringecup'



It was a cool, gray Saturday morning but lovely in this wooded park.  Next time I'll be back with gardening gloves in my pocket prepared to pull out any invasives in my path.  Oh, yes and at the same time trying not to trip while walking and looking up  to spot birds per the bird walk leader.   Being in Lincoln Park is going to be a whole new adventure.

A Sunny Easter

Every so often in Seattle we get the perfect weather on the right day.  Easter Sunday morning  was bright and sunny.  An auspicious sign for the rituals of celebrating spring and for the great Easter egg hunt. 

By coincidence Bianca and I chose Easter white sweaters to wear



The  Farmer's Market had an egg hunt for the kids during the usual Market time.  Every hour on the hour new eggs would be tucked between food baskets or on top of greens or placed like an object of art under a cheese glass.   Since a face painting was included, it seemed like an appropriate place to prepare for the competition ahead.  Oh yes,  it was a competition...



Getting her game face on

 

 By a quarter after the hour, we made the rounds of the farmer's stalls with not much luck.  One kindly farmer had a sign - "If you are eggless, wave at me".    He had saved a stash of eggs to be suddenly and delightfully found.  The first treasure for the basket.  Another egg was spotted in a hiding place and now two pretty green eggs lay in the basket.  Bianca was getting the game now.  You have to keep an eagle eye out.   We took a little people watching break waiting for the next hour when the new eggs would be hidden and the hunt would begin again.




Maybe with these carrots we can get Easter rabbit to just come to us

 

The farmers barely had time to hide their eggs before they were being discovered and snatched up.   By now Bianca was already a pro at spotting and dashing in to claim hidden eggs.    Judging by the smiles on the faces of the farmers and vendors as they hid their eggs, they were having just a good a time as the kids.   A sweet and happy way to spend a beautiful morningI                                                         


Erika and Bianca under a bright blue Seattle sky