Every Day in September 2016, #5 - Environments and Habitats - SHALLOW SEAS

EDiS #5 - “Shallow Sea”
The relatively shallow waters all along the western shores of Washington are home to vast beds of kelp of several varieties. These beds support a very important and delicate ecosystem of marine life. The kelp forests nurture and protect hundreds of species of fish who live among the plants. Sea urchins feed on the bulbs and roots of the plants. Sea otters feed on the sea urchins. If the otters don't eat the urchins, the urchins kill the kelp and the fish die. Maintaining this system is crucial to balance of nature.

Every Day in September 2016, #4 - Environments and Habitats - POLAR

EDiS #4 - “Polar”
Washington has no polar region. There is, however, a year round 30 foot thick ice cap 14,000' up on the peak of Mt. Rainier which almost qualifies. The fourth tallest peak in North America, Rainier, like polar regions, has glaciers, ice fields, ice caves, ice lakes, and wicked polar weather. It is an active “decade” volcano, part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, along with Mt. Saint Helens (and we all know how well THAT turned out). In Hawai'i, natives placate Pele, the volcanic goddess, with offerings of fruit, flowers and beautiful dances. We who live in the shadow of our potential eruptor, enjoy its beauty, take great hikes, climb its peaks, and offer up coffee and maple bars to the Yeti.
No polar bears here. Our “polar white” animals are Snowshoe Hares, Broad-tail Ptarmigans, Mountain Goats and Ermines.

 

Every Day in September 2016, #3 - Environments and Habitats - RAINFOREST

EDiS #3 - "Rainforest"
One thing an artist learns when they move to the Pacific Northwest is that they do not have enough greens - not in their diet, but in their art kit. Especially if you want to paint the rainforest. The Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic peninsula is one of the wettest, and greenest, spots on earth. And one of the most beautiful. Creatures who live there - Roosevelt elk, black bears, black-tailed deer, bobcats, cougars, raccoons, tree frogs, banana slugs, vampires (in the tree-tops), and Bigfoot.

Roadside flower stand at Anderson Farms on Anderson Road outside Langley, in the Highlands, above the Fairgrounds. Dahlias and other flowers, apples, fresh eggs, and other farm goodies, in season. 

Every Day in September 2016, #2 - Environments and Habitats - SEMI-ARID

EDiS - #2 - Semi Arid - Umatilla Rock and Purple Sage
The area around Grand Coulee, Sun Lakes and Dry Falls State Parks is classified as semi-arid steppe, or dry plains. The foothills of the Cascade mountains to the west drop away and scrub pines give way to purple sagebrush and bunchgrass. It is home to coyotes, jackrabbits, ground squirrels and (watch out, hikers!) it is diamondback rattlesnake country!

Every Day in September 2016, #1 - Environments and Habitats - ARID

EDiS #1 - Arid
Washington State is unique because of the many ecological environments found within its borders. I am going to try to work as many of them into this month's challenge as I can.
This is for Day #1 - “Arid”. Hanford Reach Monument in the Columbia River Basin qualifies as a true arid desert environment. It is home to the Townsend's Big Eared Bat, and the recently rebounding Pygmy Rabbit.

Olympic Mist Alpaca Farm

The Whidbey Sketchers were invited to the incredibly beautiful home of Whidbey Island fiber artist Lynn Sheffield to sketch her herd of Alpacas. Despite the HEAT of the afternoon, the furry beasts were sweet and cooperative models. We sat right in the field with them and they quietly chewed their cuds, and did not spit.