Springtime in Salem

State of Oregon Executive Building

I drove down to Salem (about 45 minutes south of Beaverton) to take the free State Employment Application Tips Class because I'm applying for an internship with the DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) this summer.

The class turned out to be surprisingly helpful. The instructor even offered to proofread my application next week and introduced me to the woman who coordinates the internships.

Violet - Viola sp.

The executive building, where I took the class, was located right across the street from the Oregon State Capitol.

I'd never been there before, so I decided to walk around the gardens for an hour or so before returning home.

Seven-spotted Ladybird Beetle -
Coccinella septempunctata

Yes, this is the same kind of ladybug I took a picture of on Monday, but this picture was so nice I just had to post another one.

Deodar Cedar "Rose" - Cedrus deodara

The oblong female cones of the Deodar cedar fall apart and leave interesting "roses" on the ground. The smaller curled one is a male cone.

Spring Snowflake - Leucojum vernum

These are one of my favorite bulbs, but I didn't know the proper name for it. I used to think it was a lily-of-the-valley until I bought some and realized they were different. Then I thought it might be a snowdrop. Now I know.

More Spring Snowflakes.

Lungwort - Pulmonaria officinalis

What an ugly name for such a cute little flower! The foliage on these plants is nice too, green leaves with yellow spots.

Forsythia

Not all of the trees and shrubs were blooming yet, but this Forsythia was certainly attention grabbing. Later, when I was taking pictures of the Saucer Magnolia one of the gardeners asked me if I'd seen the Forsythia yet. I told him it was the first thing I'd seen - impossible to miss.

Squirrel drinking from the Beaver Birdbath

Closeup of Drinking Squirrel

I thought this was a fountain until the squirrel came right up in front of me and started drinking, then I realized it was actually a birdbath.

Rhododendron

It's amazing how these large shrubs had perfect spheres of blooms.

Saucer Magnolia - M. x soulangeana

When these blooms open up, this large deciduous magnolia tree will be amazing.

Salmon Carving on the Capitol Building.

Daffodils

I had to go back to the executive building and put more change in the parking meter. I decided to take a few pictures on the grounds there. I particularly liked this shot of the daffodils with the tree in the background.

Fallen Camellia - Camellia japonica

There were still plenty of blooms still on the tree, but the color combination of the fallen flower and the bark much really caught my eye.

Red Flowering Currant - Ribes sanguineum

Yes, this is the same species of native currant that I took a picture of last week, but they're so pretty. I found several of these bushes growing on the side of the executive building.

Another darker pink Red Flowering Currant.

Winter Daphne - Daphne odora

Reading on Horeseback

I've seen a lot of statues with guys on horseback, but this is the first time I've seen one of them that was reading while doing so.

The text says:

"Commemorating the labors and achievements of the ministers of the gospel who as circuit riders became the friends, counsels and evangels to the pioneers of every american frontier."

Side of the Capitol Building

Pioneers on the Oregon Trail

Front of the Capitol Building

Golden Pioneer

This 22 foot statue on the top of the Capitol Building was designed by Ulric H. Ellerhusen of New Jersey and shipped to Oregon via the Panama Canal.

Iris

Double Daffodil among Blue Hyacinths

Double Daffodil and Pink Hyacinths

Flame Tulips

It's still a bit early for the tulips... these were the only ones up.

Lavendar Hyacinth- Hyacinthus orientalis

I'd forgotten how much I like hyacinths. I had so much fun taking pictures of them that I ended up buying a small pot of them on my way home.

Another Lavendar Hyacinth

Yellow Daffodil