fireweed

Mid-July is still springtime at this elevation and a rich palette of Indian paintbrush, creamy white daisies, magenta fireweed and blue-green grass laced the roadside.

Crew members then brought in native plants such as goldenrod, fireweed, broadleaf lupine, various grasses and other native species along the shore and intertidal zone, said King County ecologist Mason Bowles.

Patient, calm horses slowly step along a rock-and-soil trail lined with vibrant yellow yarrow, green sage, rustling birch trees and fierce pink-purple fireweed.

Depending on timing, you may see blooming purple heather and yellow Oregon stonecrop, scarlet paintbrush and fireweed.

“Looks like the fireweed is about to burn out,” I said.