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Here's another wildflower I haven't been able to identify though they are found in many places around here. This one was photographed in Mount Douglas Park and I hope someone will be able to tell me what it is.

Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus)

Some time ago I received a request for a photo of a slug. I don't know how common these animals are in other parts of the world but we have some very large ones here. Those pictured in this post (Pacific Banana Slugs [Ariolimax columbianus]) are one of the largest varieties in the world, reaching lengths of nearly 10 inches (25 centimeters). They also, despite their close relationship to snails, move quite rapidly - up to about 6 inches (16.5 centimeters) per minute. This plus their penchant for lurking in damp cool dark places makes them a bit of a challenge to photograph. Usually, if they're not moving they tuck those interesting looking antennae out of sight as in the photo below.

Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis)

Whenever I go up Mount Douglas in the spring I always keep a sharp lookout for Chocolate Lilies (Fritillaria affinis). The reason is that I always expect to see some since there is one plant, pictured above, that comes up every year very close to the summit. Yet every year it is the only one I see. The cold weather this spring has delayed blooming for many wildflowers and this one is no exception so, since I know of but one and the weather has been cold, all we get to see this year is the buds of this lovely little brown flower. (If any of my fellow Victorians know where I can see more of these, please let me know. Lewis J. Clark [Wild Flowers of British Columbia] says there a very vigorous variety at the mouth of the Goldstream River but I don't know that I will be able to get there this year.)

A Million Lilies

Mount Douglas is covered with Giant White Fawn Lilies. In ranks and banks they dot the mountainside and line the trails, an orgy of blossom. The photo above shows only a small example of these splendid little wildflowers that are scattered wantonly throughout the park.

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When I passed a thousand posts on this blog a little while ago I promised some changes and new directions. A few of these will start this weekend. Saturdays will now become "Somewhere Saturdays" meaning that I will post a photo from some place other than Victoria. Since I've spent much of my life in other countries I have many photos and memories that may provide a contrast to a steady diet of Victoria. Secondly, Sunday and Monday posts will be handled by my daughter, Fern Long, who posts under the name of the Front Street Gang. She contributed here while I was away in India recently and has agreed to these two days each week so I have time for other projects. Thus Victoria Daily Photo will now provide a bit of a window on the world on Somewhere Saturdays and a look at Victoria through another lens on Sundays and Mondays.

Threeleaf Foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata)

These delicate blossoms belong to another member of the saxifrage family, the Threeleaf Foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata). This is from my recent walk up Mount Douglas.

Small-flowered Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha)

Here's a member of the Saxifrage family that is exhibiting these delicate sprays of blossoms from the rocky cliffs that line the road leading to the summit of Mount Douglas Park. Lewis J. Clark calls it the Small-flowered Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha) while Wikipedia calls it Crevice Alumroot.

Mushrooms

A bit of summer crept through the bleak and stormy weather we've been having so I took the opportunity for a walk in Mount Douglas Park to see what the rains and cool weather have brought out of the ground. Everything was very lush and I saw some nice flowers but I'll start with a couple of shots of some mushrooms I encountered. I don't know what genus or species these mushrooms are so if there are any mycophiles amongst my readers I hope you will take a shot at identifying them.