Sun (VitD) and exercise were needed, but not in a too time consuming fashion. East Camino Cielo and Weed’s Mariposa (Calochortus weedii var vestus now Calochortus fimbriatus) became the goal. It was not known how many would be found this late in the summer, but surprisingly there were many. It was drive, stop and take photos of the plants just off the side of the road, repeated again until a little past the towers, and then a return back for a trip along West Camino Cielo. I found a few Weed’s Mariposa in the seepy area opposite  “Tanbark Oaks” on WCC, but not much else along the road, not even Humboldt’s Lily. The slideshow includes 38 photos of the many variations of this Mariposa, that seem to vary as much as Calochortus venutus.

I did not know that a Flickr contact made the trip up to Santa Barbara for the same purpose on Sunday as well until I had returned and checked my Flickr contact photos. He found species ranging from palish-white to a gorgeous reddish-pink. The location of these plants is known to a few Calochortus enthusiasts thanks to Marc Kummel, who kindly gave directions to Lara Hartley, Jeff Hapeman and indirectly to Michael Charters. I was not aware of the latter until a google search landed on a web page where Marc was mentioned – were you aware of this, Marc?

(Update: I had heard that the name had changed to Calochortus fimbriatus, but for some time found no reference to that name. Now, both Lara Hartley and Beth Painter have confirmed that the name change did indeed take place, and Beth provided this link:  Second Edition of The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California – Calochortus. Thanks!)

On the way back to 154, I drove slowly past “sunny places on the north-facing side” per Marc’s description on his Fotolog, but did not spot Green Rein Orchid, one of the plants I have yet to see. Probably walking as opposed to cruising is required. Maybe next year, when hopefully I am not too busy, I can hunt down Piperia.

Summer 2010 Flower Slide Show

• Please click here to view a slide show of Summer Flowers. For those unfamiliar with Flickr slide shows, moving the mouse over the upper and lower edges will allow various options to be changed, selected, etc.
• Please click here to view a slide show of Jeff Hapeman’s 2009-2010 Set
• Please click here to view Michael Charters’ page of East Camino Cielo

A collection of spring and early summer flowers and butterflies. A couple of photos show nectar robbing by a carpenter bee on Heart-leaved Penstemon. At the end of the first slideshow, return to this page to get to the Butterfly Mariposa Slide Show.

Spring/Summer 2010 Flower Slide Show

• Please click here to view a slide show of Spring Flowers. For those unfamiliar with Flickr slide shows, moving the mouse over the upper and lower edges will allow various options to be changed, selected, etc.
• Please click here to view a slideshow of Butterfly Mariposa Lilies

Non-native mustard, grasses (including Harding), thistles, etc are becoming increasingly pervasive from coast to back-country. Thus it is heartening to read about efforts to reverse some of these processes:

• Using the Sun and Fire to Restore Lagoon Island
• Russian Knapweed

The CCBER newsletter (first item)  is also packed with news of many other impressive activities.

Having missed the West Camino Cielo walk on May 15th led by Marc Kummel, I managed to sneak a few trips up there to view the Gap Fire flora recovery (I really do not like 154).

Once again, Morning Glory was the dominant fire-following plant, covering ashy soil and blackened limbs in an extravaganza of growth. However, the big surprise was Dicentra ochroleuca (thanks for the heads-up Andrea) both on East and West Camino Cielo. There was also some amazing growth of several bands down a north-facing slope near the dirt road behind the gun club. Photo included in slide show.

For a little known species and possibly of interest, a Flickr contact has encountered two other Dicentra this spring in Placer County:

Click here to see Dicentra pauciflora
Click here to see Dicentra formosa

Camino Cielo Fire Follower Slide Show

• Please click here to view a slide show of Camino Cielo Fire Followers and others. For those unfamiliar with Flickr slide shows, moving the mouse over the upper and lower  edges will allow various options to be changed, selected, etc.

A set of spring flowers – many of which are new to me. I have not had time to hunt down all of the ids. The next set will be of summer flowers in a few months time, hopefully with many of the whitish to pinkish to purplish  “farewell-to-spring” bidders, that bloom in large numbers in many places – a favorite species, Clarkia. They have just started flowering, possibly to peak in 2-3 weeks time.

The “old” first day of summer is May 1st, according to “Treebeard”, aka Marc Kummel – see his post at this link. He also has the most amazing collection of insect photos.

Hastily Gathered Spring Flower Slide Show

• Please click here to view a slide show of Spring Flowers. For those unfamiliar with Flickr slide shows, moving the mouse over the upper and lower edges will allow various options to be changed, selected, etc.