Flower power

These are some more photos from the Lick Creek hike. I don't know the names of these little purple blossoms, but I enjoy photographing them anyway.

Lick Creek

Sunday I went on a short hike up Lick Creek on the North Forks of the Umatilla Wilderness. I've done other hikes in the area but this was the first time I took this one.
It being early spring, there were sprouting buds, new leaves and wildflowers everywhere. Here are a few things I saw: A tree dripping sap like a frozen waterfall and a new leaf catching the afternoon light so well, it stopped me on the trail.

Charging to a green future

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Athena Elementary School's cleanup day. I put a couple photos in the paper, but I didn't think this one would work for the story. It does, however, encompass the effort, vigor and excitement these kids put into their jobs that day. This is a group of second graders charged across the field after picking up trash along Wildhorse Road and around the school. With their bright orange vests on, I though they resembled bright flowers or leaves blown by a strong wind. Their enthusiasm was no exception that day as kids happily pulled weeds and picked up garbage to help out the community.