May 11-17, 2025

Moving through spring in fits and starts

David Lukas

17 May 2025 • 4 min read

Here comes the rain that ushered in the week. Photo by David Lukas

It may be rainy, cloudy, and windy but the weather is likely prompting flowers to linger longer than expected.

Week in Review

The week started off with an incoming rainstorm that moved in for a few days until fitfully breaking up with mixed clouds and strong winds. Not only did this lead to dramatic skies, but the cooler weather is almost certainly keeping spring around for a bit longer.

A partial rainbow at the tail end of a rainstorm. Photo by David Lukas

meadowlark in a rainstorm — A meadowlark singing in the rain. Photo by David Lukas

Alongside all the drama in the sky, there's a lot going on in the valley. Reptiles seem to be at their peak activity right now, with an observation of a rarely recorded western skink, and a unique gopher snake behavior.

You might not realize that western skinks occur in the Methow Valley because they are secretive, fast moving, and rarely seen. Photo by Donna Wottlin

This remarkable photo could be two male gopher snakes in a "combat dance" or a mating pair. Photo by Brett Kokes

And speaking of mating, you might be seeing other animals mating or raising babies because all of a sudden it's happening in every part of the valley and it's why spring is such an exciting time of year.

American robin eggs are a classic sign of spring. After babies hatch the female robin flies off with the eggshells and drops them far away to help hide the location of her nest. Photo by David Lukas

female mule deer — No deer fawns have been reported yet, but if this pregnant doe is any indication the day is fast approaching. Photo by Sarah Lane

moose with calf — Moose give birth in May or June, and babies stay with their mothers for up to three years, so this young moose might be from last year. Photo by Peter Fitzmaurice

Fading arrowleaf balsamroots are gradually being replaced by new flowers as we move towards summer. For example, dramatic bitterroot displays have been spotted at scattered locations around the valley, and flowers like mariposa lilies and puccoon are now readily being found on steppe hillsides.

puccoon — Puccoon (*Lithospermum ruderale*) have distinctive pale yellow flowers. Photo by David Lukas

At the same time, the cooler, rainier weather seems to have prompted the appearance of at least a handful of mushrooms, including these oyster mushrooms. I wonder if folks have been finding other types of mushrooms?

A handful of oyster mushrooms on a decaying tree. Photo by Deborah Radloff

Finally, birds have been very busy lately, with many species singing, courting, nesting, or already raising babies; even as other species are just arriving or still migrating north.

american robin — This male American robin was part of a group moving quickly through the flowers and migrating north. Photo by David Lukas

Male rufous hummingbirds are one of our most dashing birds. Photo by Larry Krumpelman

Nature Notes on the Road

As part of my ongoing efforts to promote and welcome folks to Methow Nature Notes I often give talks and appear at a surprising number of events.

Chelan Earth Day booth — Representing Nature Notes at the Chelan Earth Day festival. Photo by Jade Wolff

Whenever possible, these events are in the Methow Valley, but I also travel to neighboring communities and other places in Washington.

So far this spring I've given talks at the Winthrop Library and Chelan Library, and appeared at the Chelan Earth Day Festival and the Pateros Arbor Day Festival.

Pateros Arbor Day festival — Not a bad setting for a booth! Nature Notes at the Pateros Arbor Day Festival. Photo by Jade Wolff

And this week I'm offering a talk in Walla Walla, then leading a nature walk and giving the keynote address at the Leavenworth Bird Festival.

nature talk at the Chelan Library — Sharing Nature Notes with folks at the Chelan Library. Photo by Jade Wolff

I'm passionate about the legacy we're building with Methow Nature Notes so it's an honor to put in the time and effort to keep this project going. Thank you for being part of this journey with me, and thank you for the paid subscriptions and donations that help make all this work possible!

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