Bulbs and other wildflowers - Northern California 2014

[Robert]

How is this?

[Robert]

Maybe this will work too. 

[Robert]

Robert, I wish your pictures were bigger, they're all so small, just a smidge larger than the tiny thumbnail image.  It's too bad, because you're showing so many great plants, but only postage stamp size images.  They can be larger, example, here's a photo of Triteleia hyacinthina taken in my garden late May 2014, where one can see the detail of this exquisite species, up close and personal.

Mark,

I think that I have made some improvements. I would like you feed-back on the last two images.

[arilnut]

You got it Robert.

John B.   Trying to grow all the rare flowers I can.
Kansas

[Lori S.]

Photos size is perfect now, Robert!

[Maggi Young]

I think that I have made some improvements. I would like you feed-back on the last two images.

Lovely!

[Robert]

Thank you for the feedback! 

[TheOnionMan]

Just to follow through, thanks Robert for making the photo adjustment, it really helps.  I like using the "expandable thumbnail" option, makes for less scrolling and only enlarge the photos most interested in. Notice that I tried to stay in theme with your topic, by including an image of a plant found in northern half of California 

Once again, I enjoy seeing the plants you're showing us.

[Robert]

Mark,

As you might imagine, Triteleia hyacinthina grows here at our farm. Some years there are more than other years. They sometimes grow thickly in the pathways with Dicholstemma and Brodeia elegans and need to be weeded out, but generally I just let them grow here and there as they wish.

[Robert]

Today, traveled to the Sierra crest for the first time this season. Late for most of the wildflowers. The scenery is always good.



Roundtop Peak



Elephant's Back



High peaks to the south.



This is the unnamed peak that I climbed today. As you can see, above timberline.



And a wonderful place to see cushion plants. Way more than I dare list.

[Robert]

One of the goals was to find Lupinus lobbii. A real gem and something I'd like to get started in the garden.

Another plant that I was wanting to find was Astragalus purshii. I found many plants, but did not find any plants that had set seed. 



Artemisia arbuscula with A. tridentata in various forms, and many other cushion plants as one climbed higher.



Sedum lanceolatum
The wild was blowing like on the south col of Everest!  It was very difficult to take any plant / flower photographs.



Many Erigeron compositus Chaenactis douglasii Flowers long gone!



Eriophyllum lanatum var. integrifolium
The return trip from the summit was on the protected side of the mountain ridge, where there were a few alpines still in bloom.

[Robert]

A nice Erigeron that I could not key out. 





Penstemon heterodoxus was the only Penstemon species still in bloom. However, I did see P. newberryi and P. procerus var. formosa with many good seed pods. 





Scarlet Gilia, Ipomopsis aggregata

Sadly    , it is late in the season for masses of flowers, however it is a site I will continue to visit regardless of the season. Yes, I have been in places like this during the winter.

[Lori S.]

Wonderful to see the plants and scenery there!  I doubt anyone would mind if you list the cushion plants. 
Is this national forest land? 
You ski too then?

[Maggi Young]

Wow! I guess your ankle is really better now, Robert?    

[Robert]

Wonderful to see the plants and scenery there!  I doubt anyone would mind if you list the cushion plants. 
Is this national forest land? 
You ski too then?

Yes, this is national forest land! And still wild if one stays away from the trails. Many people use this area and it shows. The good news is that 99% of them never go far from the trail, leaving a lot of wild open space to explore.

No, I never ski. Way too crowded for me.

I took some notes so I guess I can put a list together. Maybe with the next set of photographs from this area, or maybe sooner if it seems like it might take too long.

Wow! I guess your ankle is really better now, Robert?    

Yes, my ankle is as good as new!  Went straight up the mountain without any discomfort!  You can bet that I'm happy about this!