Category: Parks

I brake for flowers

While the dahlias are at their peak in Carrie Blake Park the bees are making the most of the pollen they offer. It looked a little like a “Happy Days Are Here Again” party as sometimes multiple bees would land and work their ways across blossoms.

They were such pretty additions to the already gorgeous blossoms.

I learned on this trip that the dahlias at this garden, the Sequim Botanical Garden, are donated by Lee Bowen who deserves a big thanks. They’re a beautiful addition to the landscape.

While dahlias are front and center in the landscape right now there are also some gorgeous old fashioned roses. And healthy but slowly fading lavender.

It’s a nice place for humans — and insects — to visit for a flower fix.

Sharing with Saturday Critters. Click here to see other critters from around the world.

Time for dahlias

Before I moved to Washington state I was always impressed with how beautifully dahlias seemed to grow here. They seemed to be in every other garden, thriving.

The other day I went to Carrie Blake Park to see how the Sequim Botanical Garden is doing during dahlia season.

In a word…great. Even on a grey day the flowers looked perky and colorful. I’ll show you some of my favorites tomorrow.

That old tree…saying good bye

I was close enough yesterday that I heard a “crunch.” When I investigated I discovered that one of my favorite trees at the Dungeness Recreation Area had suffered a devastating failure.

Fully half the tree collapsed. No great wind did it. When I looked through the shrubbery that surrounded it I saw massive rot around its base. Time had taken a toll.

This is one of our native willows — there are three types around here. They are relatively short-lived. Two types, the Pacific or red willow and the Sitka, live in moist soils as this one does. The Scouler or fire willow is a third that is common and also given to wet sites.

The recreation area staff expects to start clearing these branches away today. I hope the remaining upright portions of the tree can remain…if it’s safe. I’m glad no one was nearby when this occurred.

This is one of my favorite trees. I have featured it before. This link will take you to a series that featured it in several seasons. And here it was last January during a snowstorm with a link to other shots.

Iris time

This is the time of year to find iris in bloom in Sequim and Carrie Blake Park has a great display. I showed you a long shot of it the other day here.

There are gorgeous specimens on display.

They are massed to beautiful effect.

In the background of these shots are lavender bushes. They are just beginning to bud. July is lavender season in Sequim, the “Lavender Capital of North America.” Our annual Lavender Festival has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic. I don’t know if our local farms will be open for visitors but the lavender display at Carrie Blake should be very nice.

The earth laughs in flowers

Who doesn’t love flowers? The peonies at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim have to be among the most beautiful I’ve seen.

The park has dozens of bushes of peonies. It was my good fortune that they were at a peak of splendor.

I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing so many different kinds before. They all were spectacular.

If you live in or near Sequim it’s well worth a trip to the garden at Carrie Blake. The peonies and iris are heavenly. If you can’t make it soon the next gorgeous displays will include lavender, roses, and, later, dahlias.

Tomorrow I’ll show you some of the iris.

Theme Day: Park

Carrie Blake Park is a Sequim city park that packs a lot of attraction. I’ve chosen to highlight it for today’s City Daily Photo theme.

Its flower garden is glorious right now, filled with beautiful iris and peonies. Within a month or two the bed will be filled with blooming lavender, roses, and dahlias. It’s wonderful all summer.

Summer concerts are offered in the band shell, above, and the open grassy area is used for fairs and other events.

There are a number of ponds. One, which I’ve featured before, is the centerpiece of a Japanese friendship garden. A small facility can host community events.

The park also has a colorful playground as well as a nearby dog park, skate park and playing fields.

Click here to see other parks featured by City Daily Photo photographers from around the world.