Devil’s Club is common in some wet areas in the Olympics (and the Cascades). It can form nearly impenetrable thickets … that may not seem too dense, until you notice the large needle-like thorns covering the stems of the plant. The red berries at the top center are distinctive.
Very wide-angle lenses are usually used for distance shots. I liked the effect of using it on clover that was close by. There is obvious distortion on the sides and corners, but all those converging lines draw your attention in to the clover.
I liked the color contrast between the red/orange salmonberry and the fresh green of the foliage. It tasted good too … although some folks think they aren’t worth picking, since their flavor is very subtle.
For a photo of the salmonberry bloom (not the same plant) see my recent blog: https://ajjphotoblog.com/2025/05/27/salmonberry-flower/
Salmonberry’s are common in the valleys of the Olympic National Park. They don’t have the strong flavor of other berries … but they are delicious. Due to the subtle flavor, they often don’t get picked, even right along a busy trail. For those unfamiliar with these, think of a raspberry that is salmon colored (yellow to reddish when ripe, depending on the amount of direct sunlight).
May is a wonderful month for rhododendron blooms. Different varieties are blooming most of the year, but it seems like May is peak for a great number. The image below is a closer view of the bloom on the right above.
