[Wildflower Bloom in central and eastern Washington: 2012]

Wildflower Bloom at the Wallula Unit, McNary National Wildlife Refuge

October 18, 2012

Lake at the delta of the Walla Walla River, McNary National Wildlife Refuge.........10-18-2012.

Lake on the delta of the Walla Walla River, McNary National Wildlife Refuge...............October 18, 2012.

* indicates the wildflower is currently in bloom.

White Alder: Alnus rhombifolia - Catkins are ripening.

Russian Olive: Elaeagnus angustifolia

Lombardy Poplar: Populus nigra

Narrowleaf Willow: Salix exigua var. exigua

Pacific Willow: Salix lasiandra (var. ?)

* Hardstem Bulrush: Scirpus acutus ? or Softstem Bulrush: Scirpus validus ?

Indian Ricegrass: Achnatherum hymenoides

Ripgut Brome: Bromus diandrus

Cheatgrass: Bromus tectorum

* Strict Buckwheat: Eriogonum strictum (var. ?)

* Russian Thistle: Salsola kali

Western White Clematis: Clematis ligusticifolia

Tumble Mustard: Sisymbrium altissimum

Antelope Bitterbrush: Purshia tridentata

Puncturevine: Tribulus terrestris

Suksdorf's Broomrape: Orobanche ludoviciana

Indian Wheat: Plantago patagonia

Teasel: Dipsacus fullonum

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium

* Big Sagebrush: Artemisia tridentata var. tridentata

Arrowleaf Balsamroot: Balsamorhiza sagittata ? or Carey's Balsamroot: Balsamorhiza careyana ? - Plants are too dry to identify clearly, although several had several flower heads per stem.

Yellow Star Thistle: Centaurea solstitialis

* Canada Horseweed: Conyza canadensis

* Hoary Tansyaster: Dieteria canescens var. incana

* Gray Rabbitbrush: Ericameria nauseosa (var. ?)

Salsify: Tragopogon dubius


Animals Seen Along This Route:

Red-tailed Hawk

Harrier

Ravens

Magpies

Double-crowned Cormorants

Great Blue Heron

Canada Geese - heard flying nearby

Mallards - dozens

Wood Ducks - dozens

American Wigeons - dozens

Buffleheads - dozens

Pintails

Green-winged Teals

Shovelers

Hooded Mergansers

Gadwalls ?

Northern Flickers

Hairy Woodpecker

American Robins

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Song Sparrows

Dark-eyed Juncos

California Quail

Sagebrush Lizard

Sulphur

Moth on gray rabbitbrush flowers


Paul Slichter