Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop — Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Spring has arrived at Discovery Park, many Oso Berries are blooming (photo 1) and I heard my first of the year male Pacific Wren singing for territory and females. We even saw a cherry tree in bloom at the Ballard locks gardens, there are lots of flowers blooming there and we always include the locks in our Discovery Park walks. Back to Discovery, on the non-native side, we saw many in bloom: field mustard, scotch broom, Queen Anne's lace, a sunflower-like flower, and Himalayan blackberries, photo 2 (which I looked up on the free Washington Wildflower Search app to learn that they bloom throughout the year). The winter sun was creating pretty hues on the water. There were many sparkling water drops from the recent rain. The trail was full of kind, considerate humans enjoying the sun and warmth, it was a pleasure.