Here are a photos from the last few weeks, which didn't make it into other posts.
From looking at www.insectidentification.org, this creature appears to be a Compton Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Nymphalis l-album).
I found a spruce tree with what looked like bear claw marks. Glad that wasn't me!
Dried spruce sap from bear slashes
I saw these last week next to a Jiffy Lube in town.
Pussy Willow catkins exhibit A
Pussy Willow catkins exhibit B
Pussy Willow catkins exhibit C
I believe these belong to a Balsam Poplar tree (a.k.a. Cottonwood)
Some more male and female catkins, in abundance:
The crown of a small spruce tree:
