Spring Time in Hidden Valley

 Hidden Valley in the spring is all about blooming. There are masses of rhododendrons

                      

A previously unnoticed Tulip Tree,

 

Bright tulips, 

 Fluffy pink blossoms on a tree

Bluebells and strawberries

Bleeding hearts

And Forget-me-nots

Fisheries biologists are in the Valley studying the recovering Coho salmon run on both Lost and Wildcat Creeks. These smolt traps allow the biologists to count the smolt leaving the creeks. 

Beavers remain active

Even though the last big rain wiped out their dams.  

There was some question about whether we would need to replant along the banks but as the abundance of alder saplings proves Mother Nature is taking care of that for us.

And last but not least, the horse tail fern are beginning to open out.

There will be opportunities to visit Hidden Valley and the Rhododendron Preserve this summer. Visit our new Rhododendron Preserve website http://preserveoldgrowth.org/ to learn more about visiting this amazing ecological jewel. 

Hidden Valley April Flowers

 These photos are from mid-April when the colors of Hidden Valley were lavender and gold. From the stunning heather on the hillside.

To the delicate azaleas peaking through the trees.

And the splash of gold along the banks of Wildcat Creek where the daffodils were beginning to bloom.

And the beavers have been hard at work

The violets are especially stunning amid the chips the beavers leave behind. 

Despite the beavers' hard work the rains have washed out the dams. 

The upper and  lower both. 

The heavy rains have also further remodeled the confluence. Hidden Valley changes are always fascinating to observe whether the work of the beavers, the weather, or just the magic of spring.

Until next time.

Late March Showers Bring Changes and Flowers in Hidden Valley

The big rains have remodeled the confluence of Lost and Wildcat Creeks where they form Chico Creek.

And both the upper and lower beavers dams were blown out but the sheer volume of water. 

There are still plenty of snowdrops and crocus blooming

 

And the rhododendrons are beginning to bloom

It's pleasant to see all the shades of greens in the meadow.

Until next time.