Now that the Los Padres National Forest has re-opened, plant seed-pod and fruit photography was continued this weekend. The brilliant buckwheat display seen in the small window between National Forest closures at the beginning of October was greatly muted, and I was very happy to have seen and photographed it at that time – it was quite spectacular.

(In spring, this area is very colorful with Poppies, Goldfields, Mariposa Lilies, etc)

Now in late November, the vegetation appears subdued and sleepy under the slanted, weakened sunlight. However, there are still a few spots of color of still-flowering plants, and of the bright red fruit of Toyon and Big-berry Manzanita. A few insects were also photographed, as well as some very faded butterflies and one unidentified moth.

(Toyon fruit)

There were many seed pods to photograph and to try to guess from which plant they came. Surprisingly, new leaves of Shooting Stars were observed in two different places, as well as what appeared to be fresh leaves of a type of morning glory. New leaves of a currant species were seen. Yet another newly sprouted leaf was recognized but the species was not remembered.

(Chocolate Lily pods)

As different plants start blooming, hopefully I will be able to ID some of the unidentified pods and leaves. I was able to ID the Shooting Stars pods from the new leaves, because in many cases the seed pods were still standing above the new leaves.

(New leaves of Shooting Stars, with pods from last year’s bloom)

Generally, the slideshow starts with photos of seed pods, followed by fruits, some of the still-flowering plants, and ends with some of the observed new leaves.

(Bee on still-flowering Bush Groundsel)

The vegetation appears very dry; hopefully rains will be better this season than the last rainy season, but not too much. I hope that by starting out earlier this season, I will be able to see early-blooming plants that I have missed in previous years. It is considered by some that Spring actually starts at about this time.

(New leaves of possibly a morning glory species)

Links

• Changing Seasons Slideshow