The stunning, nodding flowers of Chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora) dot the grass-covered hillsides of the Santa Rosa Plateau, sometimes just barely in the shadows of Engelmann Oaks. Nearby, Shooting stars, Redmaids, Linanthus, and Blue Dicks are screaming for attention. Oh, spring in California....it’s about all my heart can handle!
#fritillariabiflora #calnatshare #cawildflowers #cnps #calnat
About 20 years ago, I scratched the phone number of a curly-headed girl into my Plant Anatomy notebook at UCSC. She seemed really smart and I figured I could use some help memorizing all those terms. I still have that notebook and I still have that friend. A whole lot has changed since then - including the fact that our love of plants and the natural world continues to grow and deepen and now includes an obsession with birds. The Loggerhead Shrike is the favorite bird of @cboyddovideo. This is appropriate - she sings one of the sweetest songs but is also fierce and confident and a protector of those she loves. She has a big birthday today and I am soon to follow. I would be remiss to let the occasion pass without expressing my deep gratitude for the joy, adventure, observation, forgiveness, loyalty, patience, tear-inducing laughter, and inspiration that this fabulous woman has brought into my life. Thank you, Carly, and I can’t wait for all the adventures ahead.
👉 2. Carrizo Plain - one of our shared favorite places to explore, 3. After flushing a Montezuma Quail, 4. Scanning the Salton Sea
Spring has arrived early - that time of year where I want to be everywhere all at once and my heart aches to see it all. I kicked off the season in Anza-Borrego this weekend. October rains account for this wonderful abundance and diversity of blooms and some late rains are likely to sustain the season. I was exploring Anza at this exact same time last year and the difference is astounding. Cheers to spring and all the awaiting adventures!
👉 1. Arizona lupine, Dune evening primrose, Sand verbena, and Desert gold at dusk in Coyote Canyon, 2. An abundance of Desert lilies (Hesperocallis undulata) near Arroyo Salada Campground, 3. Fields of Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus), 4. Hairy sand verbena (Abronia villosa), 5. Bigelow’s monkeyflower (Diplacus bigelovii), 6. Brown-eyed primrose (Chylismia claviformis), 7. A personal fave - California shieldpod (Dithyrea californica), 8. Arizona lupine and Desert gold - a spectacular combination, 9. Desert gold (Geraea canescens)
#calnatshare #calnat #anzaborrego #anzaborregodesertstatepark #cnps
Rudy the Greater Roadrunner is locally famous and just happens to live in my 5MR. He’s the solo roadrunner at Newport Back Bay, but he hasn’t let that stop his search for love. He can often be found bearing gifts and courting his reflection. Yesterday, he took advantage of the break between rain squalls to take a little mud bath and shiny up that handsome bill of his! (Love Rudy? Check out @vinhlamson awesome video of his attempted courtship and the recent photos by @calibeachgirl_ and @icapturetheaction ). #5MR #5mrbirding #ebird365 #calnat #calnatshare #audubonca #ocbirds
