[Karen]

We escaped most of the rain this weekend by heading east. On Saturday we hiked in the Wahluke Wildlife Refuge on the white bluffs above Hanford Reach and made a nice loop hike out of it. Got to the highest sand dune. Saw lots of flowers, including these white-stemmed evening primroses. Also saw phlox, balsamroot and others I have yet to identify. Sunday was Blyth Lake in the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and a brief stop at Frenchman Coulee and then down to the Columbia River for general wandering and photography. It rained like heck coming over the pass. This was a good place to be this weekend. Karen

[Larry]

As always, Karen, a great image. What a beautiful flower.

[Odonata]

That Wahluke Wildlife Refuge can be a great place for critter watching too. Last time as we were leaving on a sand road a badger jumped out 15 feet in front of the car. He escorted us for 30 ft, looked back, snarled and ran in the brush. Also, I once saw a Micropterus punctucatus eat a duck there. Deer are everywhere it seems. It's a real cool place in the spring. I am envious. -Dave

[Newt]

Neat flower Karen. Thanks for the photo. NN

[Karen]

Does anyone recognize this flower? Newbie? Alan?? We saw this on Wahluke Slope and also a few near the Columbia River near Vantage. It grows in sand as you can see. If my computer will allow me to I will also attach another image or two from this outing. Anyway, the first image is the flower. The next (if it works OK) is a friend on Wahluke Slope. These were interesting sand formations -- the sandy cliffs behind were full of holes -- perhaps made by nesting swallows? I don't know much about birds. Karen

[Newt]

Karen, I'm truely a newbie at the wildflower thing. Just got interested a couple of months back. Assuming you mean the pretty violet one, my shot in the dark, really dark, is either a Narrow-Leafed Phacelia or Sticky Geranium. I would lean toward the Phacelia but it's really just a guess. I'm still learnin'. Hopefully Alan or someone has it pinned down. NN

[Karen]

Newbie, I think you are right. I think that purple flower IS a narrow-leafed Phacelia -- after I sent the image I looked through another wildflower book and think this is the one. If we are wrong, Alan will let us know soon!! Karen

[Alan Bauer]

You clowns are right on with that one--nice to see a photo of it here. Bravo! But I don't know the flower in the other image...oh wait, Karen...that's a DUDE!