Hey there,
It’s Erin checking in from Lakeview, this time with a few visuals. So far, I have been working in Oregon for about two months. Lakeview surely hasn’t changed since my arrival, but my outlook on the surrounding landscape has. As for the town, I have been exploring more and have come across the little things that make Lakeview standout. Although it’s not a big city with great diversity or numerous places of local commerce, this makes room for its own quirky spots and artwork.
Here is a sign advertising Lakeview as the “tallest town in Oregon.”
I stumbled upon this quaint piece of artwork in a surely unvisited alleyway in town.
As for the surrounding landscape, I have rounded up cattle trailers full of information on local flora, fauna, and landforms that makeup the “outback.” Since my first week at the BLM we have made a total of 12 collections, including the beautiful Astragalus lentiginosus.
Astragalus lentiginosus (Freckled Milkvetch)
As well as collections, we have made plenty of optimistic vouchers. One of my favorites is the complementary colored and charming Calchortus macrocarpus.
Calchortus macrocarpus (Mariposa Lilly)
A few of my favorite species that we’ve stumbled upon are in the Polemoniaceae and Asclepiadaceae families.
Linanthus ciliatus (Wickerbrush)
Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed)
Asclepias fascicularis (Narrow Leaf Milkweed)
A few notable activities since I have started: Visiting Bend, Oregon for a very informative grass workshop under the Carex Working Group, and the vehicle rodeo put on by the BLM to test our driving skills.
Vehicle Rodeo at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Grass workshop in Bend
Although the local forbs and artwork have left me wide eyed and breezy, the tempestuous weather the past two weeks has been quite the challenge in the field- starting with temperatures above 100 degrees last week, to the thunderous rain of this week, and ending in a dust storm last night- has combined to create an awe inspiring finish to the week.
A rainbow over the Warner Mountains.
-Erin