This morning a thin but high layer of clouds filters the sunlight. The little dog and I head to a mountain meadow. If Aki planned ahead she would not expect any dog traffic. It’s too early for that. I could have returned to one of the ocean-side walks where we would see eagles and other birds. But it’s time to appreciate the tiny beauty of mountain wildflowers.

Parts of the meadow are colored pink by flowering Labrador tea plants and wild rhododendrons. Others are almost white with cloudberry blooms. Dew droplets cling to new grass and outline a downward pointing shooting star.