Peter Baye found this native wildflower on a stretch of beach near Alder Creek. A Painted Lady butterfly was nectaring on it. It's Pink Sand Verbena, and it is rare. Yes, it is growing in the sand.
Here is a close-up of the flower. It's lovely, isn't it?
Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
On a recent visit to the northern portion of Manchester State Park, Rick and I found quite a few Yellow Sand Verbenas blooming. But near a lagoon we found a small colony of Pink Sand Verbenas, a rare plant. Its Latin name is Abronia umbellata, subspecies breviflora.
Peter Baye identified this sand-loving plant for me. He also took the close-up photo above.