Tag Archives: wildflowers

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Douglas Irises, also called wild irises, are blooming in abundance this year. Gary Levenson-Palmer photographed this lovely sight.

Douglas Irises by Gary Levenson-Palmer Douglas Iris by Gary Levenson-Palmer

Wildflowers are beautiful now. Yesterday's rain - we got nearly an inch at our place in Anchor Bay - freshened everything up. Many CA Poppies are blooming too, adding to the fun.

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

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Many of our native wildflowers are quite small so you need to pay close attention when hiking in forests or on bluffs. Here are a few that are currently blooming.

Milkmaids, Cardamine californica, a member of the mustard family.

Milkmaids by Amy Ruegg

And Hooker's Fairybells, Disporum hookeri, a member of the lily family. The flowers shyly hid underneath this plant's leaves.

Fairy Bells by Amy Ruegg

Slink Pod, aka Fetid Adder's Tongue, Scoliopus bigelovii, also a member of the lily family.

Fetid Adder's Tongue, the first wildflower of the year, by Craig Tooley

All of these and more are blooming now, though the Slink Pod bloom may be over. I will share more of our coastal wildflowers soon.

The first two photos were taken by Amy Ruegg and the last was taken by Craig Tooley. I thank them for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Kate Gelles was enjoying springtime on the Mendonoma Coast by photographing wildflowers. She found Cream Cups, Platystemon californicus.

Cream cups, Platystemon californicum, by Kate Gelles

This native wildflower is found on coastal meadows. Such a beauty!

Thanks to Kate for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Carolyn Sharp recently visited Salt Point State Park where she photographed this lovely scene.

Wildflowers at Salt Point State Park by Carolyn Sharp

Salt Point is one of my favorite parks, with many different hiking trails and wonderful camping.

Thanks to Carolyn, and John Sperry, for allowing me to share Carolyn's photo with you here.

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Mary Sue Ittner is a wildflower enthusiast and she wasn't disappointed on a recent hike to Salt Point State Park. Among the beauties she found was Checker Mallow, Sidalcea Malviflora.

Checker Mallow, Sidalcea malvaeflora, by Mary Sue Ittner

Also see was Common Meadowfoam, Limnanthus douglasii.

Common Meadowfoam, Limnanthus douglasii, by Mary Sue Ittner

Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, is always fun to find.

Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, by Mary Sue Ittner

And she found a nice group of edible [when young] mushrooms, Shaggy Manes.

Shaggy Manes by Mary Sue Ittner

To learn more about the fascinating and beautiful Salt Point State Park, here is a link to their website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=453

Thanks to Mary Sue for allowing me to share her photos with you here.