Every spring, I try to make a visit to the Kah Tai Prairie in Port Townsend. This 1.4 acre prairie is a remnant of the landscape that emerged after the retreat of the ice age glaciers. It survived development because of benign neglect, having been set aside as a "rough" in the golf course. It was recognized as a unique botanical site in 1986 and the Kah Tai Preserve was officially created in 1987. Volunteers from the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society work to restore and maintain this treasure.
This year, it has also been designated as a stop on the Chetzemoka Trail. This is an interpretative trail winding through Port Townsend to celebrate the life of Chief Chetzemoka and the important places in his life and of the S’Klallam people. It was a joint project between the community and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe to educate about the relationship between the S’Klallam people who have lived here for hundreds of years and the European settlers who arrived in the mid-19th century. This new sign at the prairie describes their harvesting of the bulbs of the Common (blue) Camas and the maintenance of the fields by burning.
This is a report on my visit on April 25th and what is blooming now. It was a joy to be the only person visiting at that time. I walked the entire perimeter without any need for concern about social distancing. But look at what others are missing!
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us. We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below. |
This first photo is an overview of the camas interspersed with various other wildflowers.
But beware of harvesting Death Camas bulbs by mistake!
Your turn!