Ah, spring in February. Alarming, yes, but also so lovely. The kids and I celebrated on Thursday by heading out to Mt. Pisgah. After floating sticks down the stream, Sylvan found this “cave,” so very Eugene. All three of us easily fit inside.
Then we headed toward the river. The kids acted silly along the way, Sylvan with a goofy grin, Elena with a new hat.
That’s Lobaria pulmonaria, lungwort or lung lichen, on her head. The arboretum must be a pretty undisturbed habitat to support this relatively sensitive lichen.
At the river, there was much rock throwing and finding of insect nymphs on the underside of the nearby stream’s rocks.
Today, the kids and I spent as much time as possible outdoors, much of it at Tugman Park, perhaps my new favorite park. I love the combination of big, open field; sandy playground; and stream area with little riparian zone. The locked bathrooms left a little to be desired. Chris had the camera at his race, so use your imagination.
When I returned home, I snapped this photo of the view from my window. That’s the prettiest cat in the world backed by some beautiful blooming plum trees and Spencer Butte just over the roofline of the house across the street. Ah.
Coy Tephra: "No, I will not turn toward the camera."
I have a little bit of spring envy. Just a little.