Springtime in the forest along the North Fork of the Nooksack River …

...is marked by Western White Trillium (Trillium ovatum) blooming on the shaded mossy forest floor with three distinct white petals. As the flowers age they fade to pink, red, and purple. In open areas closer to the river I find salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) bushes that have recently put out their pink-purple flower with the promise of sweet berries in early May to late July.