The
Camassia Natural Area in West Linn is just a few miles from downtown but feels miles away. It's privately owned by the Nature Conservancy but open to the public. Rocks left by glaciers cover most of the park, and water has trouble seeping through. This makes the park pretty damp much of the year, which provides ideal habitat for lots of water-loving species. The park is filled with gorgeous White Oaks, covered with lacy lichen, and Pacific Madrones. We decided to see this lovely oasis in the fall.
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| The Madrones are fruiting. |
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| The trunk of a Pacific Madrone tree. |
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| An oak gall. |
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| Holding an Oregon Ensatina. |
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| I misidentified this as a common ensatina; I've been advised it's a more unusual mole salamander. How cool is that? |
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