June 13, 2011








I am always shocked
at how much the landscape changes
when we cross through the Pass
and visit the other side of the mountains.

That's how I always think of it:
"the other side of the mountains."

One of my goals recently
is to learn (and remember)
more of the names
of the plants and flowers
that I come across.

I was pleased to be informed
that the yellow, sunflower-like blossom
that grows all over the hillsides there
is a type of Balsamroot.

13 comments:

  1. i have always had this as one of my goals. one of my closest friends is an environmental engineer and very much an environmentalist and quite the master gardener, i envy her knowledge of all growing things and even the names of birds. she even seems to know them by their voice. i would like to learn that as well.

    these photos are stunning.

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  2. oh these pictures remind me of home. so beautiful. i love love love the mountains.

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  3. Gorgeous photos!
    And I can relate to the changing landscape, rolling hills and mountains always make for interesting and breat-taking views.

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  4. Oooh. Is it the other side of the Cascades? I've been hiking a lot and trying to look up the names of plants in my Audobon Guide.

    I love the purples and yellows in these photos.

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  5. the eastern side of the cascades? we make an annual trip to that area each september- so beautiful and different from the rain coast. i also find i am working hard on identifying plants and birds in my region, and getting better at it slowly.

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  6. That's one of my goals, too. :)

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  7. It really is crazy! And no one ever believes me when I tell them about the Grand Coulee or Dry Falls. Such a schizophrenic state.

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  8. Love the calmness in these pictures!

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  9. these are beautiful, and the landscape is very similar to where I live……close to the Pyrenees in France

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  10. Living among the distractions of the city, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that the world is this gorgeous. Thank you for these photos.

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  11. Isn't it fantastic to stumble by a plant and know what species they are? I always feel a bit more connected that way.

    Quite quite beautiful shots.

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  12. Thanks for the sweet comments--I am glad you guys enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest as much as I do.

    For those who asked, yes, "the other side of the mountains" does refer to the Eastern side of the Cascades. These were taken near Chelan.

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