Tag Archives: Frank Drouillard

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Fringed Corn Lilies, Veratrum fimbriatum, are blooming alongside creeks and in wetlands. Frank Drouillard photographed this one blooming on his land in Anchor Bay.

This native wildflower is endemic to Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Knowing that it is found nowhere else makes it even more special. You can see Fringed Corn Lilies on the path down to Cooks Beach, on the left-hand side. They are also seen just east of Gualala Point Regional Campground.

Here's a photo of their big leaves, which appear in the spring. It takes many months before we see these beautiful white blossoms. By the time the blossoms appear, these leaves are riddled with insect holes. Native plants feed native insects!

Thanks to Frank for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Fringed Corn Lilies are extra special because they are found in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, and no where else in the world. Roberta Chan found this one blooming by Gualala Point Regional Campground, in the Gualala River floodplain.

Fringed Corn Lily by Roberta Chan Fringed Corn Lilies by Roberta ChanIn the spring, the huge leaves of this lily come up. They are so beautiful to behold. The blooms come months after the leaves appear. This photo was taken by Frank Drouillard near the end of the month of February.

Fringed Corn Lily leaves by Frank Drouillard (Large)Fringed Corn Lilies thrive in wetlands, and they are to be cherished.

Thanks to Roberta and Frank for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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I have not yet seen these perennial wildflowers. They grow near oaks and can be hard to spot. Frank first noticed the stems and then went back to capture this magnificent photo.

Mission Bells, also called Checker Lily, are members of the Lily family. Their scientific name is Fritillaria affinis. Below is a closeup of the flower.

In Reny Parker's wildflower book she writes,
 "Mission Bells
  the sound in the forest
  no one's around to hear."

Thanks to Frank for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Leopard Lilies, Lilium pardalinum, are wonderful to find. They grow on tall stalks and can have multiple blossoms. They grow where water is nearby. You might find some growing alongside the Gualala River.

Craig Tooley took this closeup of one. They are sometimes called Tiger Lilies. Legend says if you smell a Tiger Lily you will get freckles.

Frank Drouillard took the photo below, which shows a Leopard Lily about to bloom. It also shows the leaves. This plant was well over two feet tall.

Thanks to Frank and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To much more of Craig's Coast photography, here's the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Frank Drouillard sent a link where you can watch today's eclipse. Venus will be crossing the sun, an cosmic event that will not occur again for over one hundred years. Here is the link to NASA where you can view it on-line: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/

A late storm passed through yesterday. This morning's sunrise reflected off the clouds in the western sky was beautiful. The nearly full moon was an extra bonus.
Is that an Orca fin in the clouds? Cloud watching this morning was great fun. One cloud looked just like a boletus edulis mushroom.