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  • This tall and attractive milkwort was photographed in Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Southeast Florida, near the Atlantic coast.
    Low Pinebarren Milkwort
  • These common native mussels are found along the North America's West Coast from Alaska to Baja California in Mexico, and are found in massive colonies on the rocky coastline, often easily seen at low tide above the waterline. Archeological evidence shows these edible mollusks have been an important food source to humans for the past 12,000 years or more. These barnacle-covered mussels were found at low tide on Crescent Beach on Northern Oregon's Pacific Coast.
    California Mussels
  • I found this beautifully blue and violet lowly penstemon (also known as low beardtongue or and lowly beardtongue) in a dry canyon on the eastern side of Washington's Cascade Mountains  in White Pass surrounded by very many of the closely related showy penstemon. Something seemed odd about them at first until I finally realized it was a different species.
    Lowly Penstemon
  • I found this beautifully blue and violet lowly penstemon (also known as low beardtongue or and lowly beardtongue) in a dry canyon on the eastern side of Washington's Cascade Mountains  in White Pass surrounded by very many of the closely related showy penstemon. Something seemed odd about them at first until I finally realized it was a different species.
    Lowly Penstemon
  • The Pacific goose barnacle is a very common find from Alaska to Baja California in Mexico, most often found attached to rocks on North America's Pacific coastline at low tide. While they may be filter feeders that will feed both plant and animal plankton that happen to drift too close to them, they  themselves are prey to gulls, oystercatchers, and multiple species of starfish. These were photographed at low tide on the Oregon coast at Hug Point.
    Pacific Goose Barnacles
  • This curious Pacific coast chiton is a nocturnal hunter that returns to the same rock after a night of hunting for algae along the intertidal zones of the Pacific Northwest. Often exposed during low tide, they are sometimes so fluorescent that they are known to glow in the dark and flash pink polka dots.
    Mossy Chiton
  • Ripening Oregon-grapes deep in the forests in Western Washington - about 40 miles SE of Seattle. Of the two types of Mahonia that grow in the region, this species stays low to the ground, rarely reaching two feet in height. These berries will turn a dusty blue color when ripe. Not even remotely related to grapes, these berries have been used in making tasty jelly and wine. Historically this plant was very important to the native tribes of the area. The berries were an important food source, often made into dried cakes. A yellow dye was made from the roots, and a tea was made for sore throats and upset stomachs.
    Dwarf Oregon-Grape
  • Showy larkspur (also known as low larkspur) is a member of the buttercup family that is found growing in the Rocky Mountain states, the Dakotas, and most of Western Canada. This intensely purple-blue specimen was photographed a the edge of the Shoshone National Forest where it becomes Grand Teton National Park.
    Showy Larkspur
  • One of hundreds of Oregon-grape (Mahonia nervosa) plants in flower along the trail circling Deep Lake near Enumclaw, Washington. As the season progressses, these brilliantly yellow waxy flowers will become a sour, but edible berry that isn't actually a grape.  The dwarf Oregon-grape is very common throughout the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascade Mountains.
    Dwarf Oregon-Grape Flowers
  • Early springtime in the Pacific Northwest and this dwarf Oregon-grape (Mahonia nervosa) will start to bud soon. They have the most beautiful leaves with holly-like leaflets. Not a grape as we know it, but this native plant produces edible blue berries that are quite sour!
    Dwarf Oregon-Grape Leaves
  • A mug of lager with bread and pistachios.
    Mug of Lager
  • A mug of lager with bread and pistachios.
    Mug of Lager
  • Although beautiful with a vibrant blue to purple color, the showy larkspur contains toxins like several other species of Delphinium. This is one of many blooming larkspurs that were found around my campsite in Northwestern Wyoming as I was traveling across the continent.
    Showy Larkspur
  • A close-up of the  showy larkspur - seen here in Grand Teton National Park. Poisonous to cattle and somewhat dangerous to sheep - this summer bloomer is found at high elevation grasslands and meadows in western-central North America.
    Showy Larkspur
  • A glass of pilsner with bread and pistachios.
    Pilsner
  • A mug of dark ale with bread and pretzels.
    Mug of Ale
  • A glass of dark ale with bread and pretzels.
    Weizen Glass of Ale
  • A mug of dark ale with bread and pretzels.
    Mug of Ale
  • Red Mangroves along the edge of Hickory Island in Bonita Springs, Florida.
    Hickory Island Mangroves
  • Considered to be the very best pie and jam blackberry, the native trailing blackberry (also called the Pacific blackberry, Douglas berry or and combinations of <fill-in-the-blank> dewberry, the small but very sweet hiker's treat is usually found low to the ground on vines that seem to grow over everything like logs, rocks and through thick mats of vegetation that can grow up to 15 feet long or more! These were found in an old-growth forest in the Woodard Bay Conservation Area just outside of Olympia, Washington.
    Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus)
  • Considered to be the very best pie and jam blackberry, the native trailing blackberry (also called the Pacific blackberry, Douglas berry or and combinations of <fill-in-the-blank> dewberry, the small but very sweet hiker's treat is usually found low to the ground on vines that seem to grow over everything like logs, rocks and through thick mats of vegetation that can grow up to 15 feet long or more! This not-quite-ripe-yet blackberry was found in an old-growth forest in the Woodard Bay Conservation Area just outside of Olympia, Washington.
    Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus)
  • This beautiful coldwater-loving anemone is a shocking green color and is found along the Pacific Northwest Coast along the intertidal zone to about 15' deep.  These were found on a rock at low tide and photographed on Oregon's Northern coastline at low tide as they closed up while the tide receeded on Crescent Beach.
    Giant Green Anemones at Low Tide
  • A spectacular sunset at Washington's Ruby Beach. These wild formations in the sand are what remains when Cedar Creek empties directly onto the beach, and the freshwater runoff washes the softer sand and silt into the surf creating these amazing miniature canyons and washes. Next low tide, a whole new micro-landscape will be created.
    Low Tide on Ruby Beach
  • This beautiful coldwater-loving anemone is a shocking green color and is found along the Pacific Northwest Coast along the intertidal zone to about 15' deep.  These were found on a rock at low tide and photographed through still water on Oregon's Northern coastline at low tide at Hug Point.
    Giant Green Anemone
  • This beautiful coldwater-loving anemone is a shocking green color and is found along the Pacific Northwest Coast along the intertidal zone to about 15' deep.  These were found on a rock at low tide and photographed through still water on Oregon's Northern coastline at low tide at Hug Point.
    Giant Green Anemone
  • This beautiful coldwater-loving anemone is a shocking green color and is found along the Pacific Northwest Coast along the intertidal zone to about 15' deep.  These were found on a rock at low tide and photographed through still water on Oregon's Northern coastline at low tide at Hug Point.
    Giant Green Anemone
  • These beautiful coldwater-loving anemones are a shocking green color and are found along the Pacific Northwest Coast along the intertidal zone to about 15' deep.  These were found on a rock at low tide and photographed through still water on Oregon's Northern coastline at low tide at Hug Point.
    Giant Green Anemones
  • Distinct from other native phloxes, spreading phlox grows in often harsh environments such as rocky desert cliffs, open areas with little water and lots of exposure to heat, wind and bitter cold. As a result, these tough little perennials have hard woody stems, and sharp needle-like leaves that stay low to the ground and bloom in profuse mats in the spring. These beautiful examples were found at the top of a lava plateau called The Peninsula in Central Oregon above Deschutes Canyon.
    Spreading Phlox
  • Distinct from other native phloxes, spreading phlox grows in often harsh environments such as rocky desert cliffs, open areas with little water and lots of exposure to heat, wind and bitter cold. As a result, these tough little perennials have hard woody stems, and sharp needle-like leaves that stay low to the ground and bloom in profuse mats in the spring. These beautiful examples were found at the top of a lava plateau called The Peninsula in Central Oregon above Deschutes Canyon.
    Spreading Phlox
  • Distinct from other native phloxes, spreading phlox grows in often harsh environments such as rocky desert cliffs, open areas with little water and lots of exposure to heat, wind and bitter cold. As a result, these tough little perennials have hard woody stems, and sharp needle-like leaves that stay low to the ground and bloom in profuse mats in the spring. These beautiful examples were found at the top of a lava plateau called The Peninsula in Central Oregon above Deschutes Canyon.
    Spreading Phlox
  • This stunning native to western North America  is the only species of it is found natively east of the Cascade Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, it often forms dense, large patches in low spots in pastures, where the tough leaves are avoided by cattle. This one and many others was found growing next to Umtanum Creek between Yakima and Ellensburg, Washington.
    Western Blue Flag Iris
  • Hardhack, also known as steeplebush, is a common wetland-loving shrub found throughout much of the Pacific Northwest from mid to low elevations. This member of the rose family's preferred habitats include primarily bogs, swamps, streambanks and  riparian areas, it often grows in huge thickets. These were photographed about thirty miles south of Seattle, Washington in a wetland area of Federal Way.
    Hardhack
  • Possibly one of the most common wildflowers in the Northern Hemisphere, the aptly named common yarrow is found in all of North America (excluding some Caribbean islands), and much of Europe and Asia. It has been used for centuries and perhaps millennia as an herbal medicine for stopping blood flow from wounds and nosebleeds. It is found from low to high elevations, and from very wet to very dry locations throughout its range, making it perfectly adapted for life from the Arctic to all but the hottest and driest of deserts.
    Common Yarrow
  • This unlikely member of the lily family is easily overlooked. Tiny white flowers, low growth, and most often-unnoticed as green forest carpeting, this extremely adaptable water-loving perennial can be found all over Canada, and almost all over the United States except for Texas and the Southeastern states.
    Star Solomon's Seal
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • The thatched barnacle is common barnacle found along the Northern Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California, but is most common on the rocky shores of Washington state and Oregon. It is easy to identify by the interesting vertical ribbing on the six wall plates that form its shell. This one was found at low tide on a rocky outcrop in Washington's Deception Pass.
    ThatchedBarnacle2020-1.jpg
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • Haystack Rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks  and is a must-see on one of the most amazing coastlines in the world, just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Cannon Beach
  • The southern white fringed orchid (Platanthera conspicua) is another of the delicate, feathery terrestrial orchids found along the Gulf Coastal Plain upwards along the Atlantic Coast into Canada where it is still sometimes found in Quebec. Usually associated with wet meadows, ditches and low pinelands, this incredibly beautiful and perfect specimen of its species was found along with about a hundred others in northeastern Florida's Osceola National Forest near some equally beautiful pitcher plants.
    Southern White Fringed Orchid (Plata..cua)
  • The large-flowered collomia is a member of the phlox family that is associated with dry soils and often mountain slopes from mid to low elevation. Found throughout most of the western states and north into British Columbia, it is easily recognizable by the (usually) salmon-orange flowers with blue pollen on its five anthers. This one was found growing on a hilly slope among ponderosa pines near the Columbia River in rural Douglas County, Washington.
    Large-flowered Collomia
  • The large-flowered collomia is a member of the phlox family that is associated with dry soils and often mountain slopes from mid to low elevation. Found throughout most of the western states and north into British Columbia, it is easily recognizable by the (usually) salmon-orange flowers with blue pollen on its five anthers. This one was found growing on a hilly slope among ponderosa pines near the Columbia River in rural Douglas County, Washington.
    Large-flowered Collomia
  • The large-flowered collomia is a member of the phlox family that is associated with dry soils and often mountain slopes from mid to low elevation. Found throughout most of the western states and north into British Columbia, it is easily recognizable by the (usually) salmon-orange flowers with blue pollen on its five anthers. This one was found growing on a hilly slope among ponderosa pines near the Columbia River in rural Douglas County, Washington.
    Large-flowered Collomia
  • Desert lupine (also known as arroyo lupine or Coulter's lupine) is found across most of Southern Arizona at low elevations under 3000'. This amazing member of the pea family has a cool adaptation to direct bees to the best flowers: once a new flower opens and a bee comes in contact with it while collecting the pollen, the yellow spot turns red, letting any pollinators know that that flower has already been visited. These lupines were found growing on the side of the road outside of Sells, AZ in Pima County.
    Desert Lupine
  • Desert lupine (also known as arroyo lupine or Coulter's lupine) is found across most of Southern Arizona at low elevations under 3000'. This amazing member of the pea family has a cool adaptation to direct bees to the best flowers: once a new flower opens and a bee comes in contact with it while collecting the pollen, the yellow spot turns red, letting any pollinators know that that flower has already been visited. These lupines were found growing on the side of the road outside of Sells, AZ in Pima County.
    Desert Lupine
  • One of the many unusual and unique marine invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest, the mossy chiton is a nocturnal hunter of the intertidal zones of the rocky coastline. Recently, biologists have discovered that because they are sometimes above water, and sometimes underwater, their very primitive mineralized eyes have evolved in such a way that they can actually see images, and when they detect a predator coming close, they can react quickly and tighten their muscles, securing themselves to a rock or other hard surface, leaving them protected under their eight-pieced plated shells. This one was found on the sand above the surf line at low tide near Neah Bay, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula.
    Mossy Chiton
  • One of the many unusual and unique marine invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest, the mossy chiton is a nocturnal hunter of the intertidal zones of the rocky coastline. Recently, biologists have discovered that because they are sometimes above water, and sometimes underwater, their very primitive mineralized eyes have evolved in such a way that they can actually see images, and when they detect a predator coming close, they can react quickly and tighten their muscles, securing themselves to a rock or other hard surface, leaving them protected under their eight-pieced plated shells. This one was found high and dry at low tide near Neah Bay, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula.
    Mossy Chiton
  • One of the many unusual and unique marine invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest, the mossy chiton is a nocturnal hunter of the intertidal zones of the rocky coastline. Recently, biologists have discovered that because they are sometimes above water, and sometimes underwater, their very primitive mineralized eyes have evolved in such a way that they can actually see images, and when they detect a predator coming close, they can react quickly and tighten their muscles, securing themselves to a rock or other hard surface, leaving them protected under their eight-pieced plated shells. This one was found high and dry at low tide near Neah Bay, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula.
    Mossy Chiton
  • This massive rock on Oregon's Cannon Beach is one of the world's biggest sea stacks. This one was photographed just at the perfect moment of low tide, sunset and as a storm was coming in at full speed!
    Haystack Rock
  • Desert lupine (also known as arroyo lupine or Coulter's lupine) is found across most of Southern Arizona at low elevations under 3000'. This amazing member of the pea family has a cool adaptation to direct bees to the best flowers: once a new flower opens and a bee comes in contact with it while collecting the pollen, the yellow spot turns red, letting any pollinators know that that flower has already been visited. These lupines were found growing on the side of the road outside of Sells, AZ in Pima County.
    Desert Lupine
  • This colony of aggregating anemones were found at low tide in Northern Oregon attached to the underside a large rock just north of Cannon Beach. These were photographed from above-water, and some distortion resulted. Above the water-line, they retract their feeding tentacles and aren't so beautiful as they are underwater. Notice the larger green anemones deeper in the water - they are a related, yet separate species.
    Aggregating Anemone Colony
  • Throughout the Southeastern United States, climbing aster can be found in just about every wetland of low elevation, often in great showy displays of pink or lavender, fading eventually to nearly white. In Florida, they can be found in bloom all year long, such as this one near Gainesville, Florida.
    Climbing Aster
  • A perfect combination of low tide, the last rays of sunlight, and a spectacular  location made for a very satisfying photograph with rippled sand and ultra-vivid colors as I waited out the sunset on Washington's Ruby Beach in the Olympic National Park on the Pacific Ocean.
    Ruby Beach at Last Light
  • One of the great adaptations the silky lupine has evolved is to grow in places where the soil has a very low fertility. Its nitrogen-fixing ability not only allows it to grow in large colonies in the most arid of dry steppes, it actually improves soil quality allowing new species of plants to come in, take seed and grow.
    Silky Lupine
  • A vine maple in gorgeous contrast against a conifer and rocky wall at low elevation on Mount Rainier's northern slope. Nothing like nature photography for color on a rainy, cold, autumn day!
    Autumn Red Vine Maple
  • Fakahatchee beaked orchids growing in the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Collier County, Florida. These suddenly appear all over the area when the swamps are low or dry in early April.
    Fakahatchee Beaked Orchids (Sacoila ..ola)
  • A view of Chewacla Falls near Auburn, Alabama while the water level was low... still a beautiful place but better luck next time for lots of white water!
    Chewacla Falls, Alabama
  • Low tide at Mashes Sands on Florida's Gulf Coast. As part of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge - it is protected from development.
    Mashes Sands
  • A willet works its way around the tidal pools of Eagle Harbor at low tide on a cold winter day on the Florida Panhandle.
    Willet
  • A ruddy turnstone taking advantage of the low tide and devouring the easily accessible clams with relish in Panama City, Florida. Incredibly, these little birds live and breed in the Arctic, and travel an incredible distance for the winter.
    Ruddy Turnstone
  • Largest of the native epidendrums, this orchid is very frustrating to photograph, because it seems that the only ones that are found low enough to shoot easily wilt before opening.
    Night-Fragrant Epidendrum (Epidendru..num)
  • The thatched barnacle is common barnacle found along the Northern Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California, but is most common on the rocky shores of Washington state and Oregon. It is easy to identify by the interesting vertical ribbing on the six wall plates that form its shell. This one was found at low tide on a rocky outcrop in Washington's Deception Pass.
    ThatchedBarnacle2020-2.jpg
  • In some parts of the Fakahatchee Strand in the northwestern Florida Everglades, it is very common to wade into areas heavily populated with alligators - especially if there are floating logs with sunshine for them to bask in. I managed to get quite close to this one. While alert, it stayed calm as long as I moved slowly and stayed low in the water with it.
    Juvenile Alligator
  • An unusually short yet still flowering spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • A trio of spotted coralroot orchids growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Spotted coralroot orchid growing in the coastal forest on Fidalgo Island. These beautifully spotted terrestrials are found across North America in northern forests from the Pacific Northwest to Newfoundland. Like most coralroots, they are often found on the forest floor in areas devoid of other low-growth/forest floor vegetation. I usually find them by habitat-type, as they seem to grow best in places where a bit of sunlight reaches a permanently dark forest floor, and can be spectacular when a beam of light penetrates the darkness to reveal this beautiful orchid standing tall. Because it lacks chlorophyll, the leaves of this plant do not use photosynthesis to create its own food, but unusually the ovaries of the flower can, in very small amounts. The main source of nutrients is like that of many other non-green plants (called myco-heterotrophs) - they parasitize the vegetative part of underground fungi, in this case - the mushroom family Russulaceae.
    Spotted Coralroot (Corallorhiza macu..ata)
  • Rabbit-foot clover is an uncommon, small fluffy clover found in low-lying grasslands in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. These were photographed in a rocky field in Washington's Columbia River Gorge near Catherine Creek.
    Rabbit-foot Clover
  • The song sparrow is found in nearly every part of North America, including Northern Mexico all the way north to the arctic tundra. This redder-than-usual sparrow was seen hopping around the rocks at the low-tide line looking for bits and pieces of food left by the receeding water on Washington's Puget Sound, about 25 miles south of Seattle.
    Song Sparrow
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • Also known as the desert Indian paintbrush, linearleaf Indian paintbrush,  narrow-leaved Indian paintbrush, and Wyoming desert paintbrush, this is one of the tallest of North America's Castilleja species, reaching upward to four feet and sometimes growing in such density that they can appear more like a shrub than the typical, low-growing singular forb wildflower one would expect to see among Indian paintbrushes. These unusually orange (they are usually red) beauties were found blooming in profusion in Utah's Arches National Park.
    Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castillej..lia)
  • This beautiful small, and beautiful blue member of the figwort family is found in conifer forests from mid-to-low elevations in California, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and British Columbia. While its species name (Collinsia grandiflora) means "large-flowered", the tiny flowers of the giant blue-eyed Mary are still much larger than other members of the Collinsia genus. This one was found growing in thick mats scattered over the serpentine outcropping on the northwestern corner of Washington's Fidalgo Island.
    Giant Blue-Eyed Mary