The Forest and the Trees

The little details are lovely, but - of course - what makes Forest Park a forest are the trees.

Forest Park Ferns

It's been a dry summer and fall, so the ferns are not as fresh-looking as they might be. But they still make interesting picture subjects.

Green and Gold

The leaves are just beginning to turn in Forest Park, but that makes for some nice passages of gold among the green.

Forest Park Complexity

The fallen leaves and branches can produce an interesting "order in chaos" kind of scene.

Fallen Leaves in Forest Park

We'll be traveling tomorrow, so I'll post tomorrow's post today.

Back to Forest Park

It's been more than two months since we hiked in Forest Park (being busy hiking elsewhere, halfway around the world). Yesterday we went to the most northwesterly corner of the park, and hiked for five miles on Fire Lanes 15 and 12 and Wildwood Trail. It was easy compared to our hikes in Bhutan, despite considerable ups and downs, mainly because the path was in much better shape. The light was lovely, and the fall color changes were halfway there. Here are a couple of pictures that celebrate the glow. More to come.

Rising Stone Farm

This is #4 in my series of farmers who sell at Portland's People's Food Co-op Farmers' Market. Rising Stone Farm is run by Jeff Johnson, who bills himself "Herbalist and Farmer". That is, he and his helpers grow "healing plants".

Jeff examining an ashwagandha plant, an herb used in Ayurvedic healing.

Jeff inspects while volunteer Hans cleans up the greenhouse.

Volunteer Erika brings in greens from the field.

Associate Sarah cleans up ashwagandha plants in the extraction lab.

Jeff in the lab, getting ready for market.

My effort at a 17th C Dutch still-life in the lab.