Hunting for early blooms
Since I started photographing local plants in 2001, I have repeatedly missed some of the early bloomers - such as peony, currants and gooseberries. This year I have reversed that with a couple thus far — Hillside Gooseberry and Chaparral Currant. On Saturday, after a reasonably late decision, I started out to Figueroa Mountain to hunt for some of the first in this year’s sequence of inflorescence. On the way up Chumash Highway 154, blooming ceanothus were visible in the Santa Ynez Mountains - probably Bigpod Ceanothus, since they tend to flower early.
(Lake Cachuma - February 9, 2008)
After cresting the top, I was surprised to see snow on some of the mountains in the range behind Cachuma Lake. I decided to stop at a Vista point somewhere near the entrance to Cachuma Lake, to take photos of the unusual and beautiful scenery — higher blue waters of the lake, lush green vegetation in the foreground, and a background of mountains frosted with snow. I had missed taking photos of snow on the Santa Ynez Mountains viewable from home, and took advantage of this last chance.
(Figueroa Mtn - Snow Remnants - February 9, 2008)
I drove along Happy Canyon Road where the only flowering plant was Chaparral Currant, and which were seen only in a small area. After reaching the summit at Ranger’s Peak, remnants of snow were seen in a few places - usually low sunlight areas.
(Figueroa Mtn - Shooting Star, probably the first - February 9, 2008)
One of the snowbanks covered the area where I had seen a number of Shooting Star leaves on November 25th. I have seen about five different places on Figueroa mountain where many Shooting Stars leaves are growing close to the ground. In about a month, there should be fields of nodding Stars in those areas. In just one of those areas, a single blooming Shooting Star, probably the first on the mountain, was photographed. This is the area where large numbers of Chocolate Lilies were seen last year.
(Figueroa Mtn - Bigberry Manzanita in Snow - February 9, 2008)
(Figueroa Mtn - Bigberry Manzanita Blossoms - February 9, 2008)
In a snowy area, a young Manzanita was seen. Bigberry Manzanita grows copiously in the higher elevations of Figueroa Mountain, but blooms were seen on just one tree in a sunny location at the entrance of the campground.
(Figueroa Mtn - winter vegetation - February 9, 2008)
While driving down the mountain, still sleepily grayish-green under the low-angled sun, not much was seen. Some areas looked dry, despite the rain - more rain would be very beneficial.
(Figueroa Mtn - California Poppy - February 9, 2008)
(Figueroa Mtn - Milkmaids - February 9, 2008)
(Figueroa Mtn - Buckwheat - February 9, 2008)
Stops were made to photograph a single California Poppy near the picnic area; a lonely Milkmaid in the shadow of a serpentine road-cut; a scattering of California Buckwheat blossoms amongst a number of plants still sporting dark-red dried-out fruit. Buckbrush ceanothus plants had many buds; there should be flowers in a couple weeks. Lower down the mountain, under the canopy of Blue and Coast Live oaks, numerous Milkmaids dotted the greening vegetation with bright spots of white, many near new leaves of Hummingbird Sage. Close to the bridge at the base of the mountain, Hillside Gooseberry was blooming on a sunny bank. Over the road, under the shade of the oaks, another very green-leafed Gooseberry had no blossoms or buds.
(Figueroa Mtn - Hillside Gooseberry - February 9, 2008)
Another season of colorful petals, inviting nectar, and reaping insects is slowly awakening.
Slideshow on Flickr:
Other photographer notes: While shooting the Shooting Stars, I noticed a lichen-covered rock nearby and took a photo, somewhat inspired by lichen photos I saw in one of my Flickr contact’s stream - nowhere near the same quality, see link below.
(Figueroa Mtn - Lichen - February 9, 2008)Ron Wolf’s Lichen photography at these links:
Callie Bowdish photographed snow seen from Santa Barbara at these two links:
such wonderful early blooms that you captured! Must be great to see the color again!
February 11th, 2008 | #
I’ve been looking at your pictures and having a ball going through your blog and site. I’m stuck in winter still here in New England, so it’s a treat to see your flowers in bloom!
February 11th, 2008 | #
Thanks for the report. I drove up to Cold Springs Tavern today and was excited to see the first ceanothus.
Callie
February 11th, 2008 | #
Ho-hum. I’m used to Lynn’s killer photography!
February 11th, 2008 | #
Thanks everyone. Hi Sandpiper, I noticed your link to my site in the Wordpress Dashboard. Glad you enjoyed the flowers, and hope those in your area start soon. Maybe you are in the same neighborhood as mon@rch. I think it’s going to be a good year, Callie. Don’t know about the Ho-hum, Mark.
February 11th, 2008 | #
Hi NatureShutterbug, I enjoy going out and taking pictures of anything to do with nature. I really enjoy your seeing your photos. Right now I’m in the middle of a nature walik through snow and fog on my own blog… lots of monochromatic scenes that come with winter. (I”m STARVING for color!) Mon@arch is a bit to the west of me, I think, but we often travel to the Finger Lakes region and have made it out as far as Niagara Falls, so we’ve probably passed through that region.
February 12th, 2008 | #
You’re lucky to live so close to Figeuroa Mnt. I live in the heart of ugly urban Los Angles but I get out as often as I can. We’ve at least had some rain this year. Big Ceanothus are currently blooming in the Santa Monica Mnt. I also stubled on some Pricly Flox while hiking in La Jolla Canyon last weekend.
-Nate
February 15th, 2008 | #
Yes, I am lucky - but I do not enjoy the drive to get there. I believe the Santa Monica Mountains are also wonderful - I often refer to the wildflower book by Milt McAuley, because many of the plants are the same as here.
February 17th, 2008 | #
Dear Nature Shutterbug,
I am thrilled to find your site. I live in the midwest - Yellow Springs, Ohio and will be coming out to Santa Barbara around April 6 for a few days to visit my son. I am always looking to learn regional wildflowers and shrubs and trees. I see that SB Bot Garden is offering a field trip to Figuero Mt -this is how I got the idea to try to figure out where it was and found your site. I will enjoy studying the flower photos and names on your site . This will be my 7th or so trip to CA. I worked at Yerba Buena native plant nursery (above Palo Alto) about 12 years ago, so I have a few CA basics down.
I’m an artist and gardener - totally into drawing plants and landscapes.
Thanks for your informative site.
March 13th, 2008 | #
Hi Ann, I have signed up for that class. I hope to go to Figueroa Mountain this weekend, as well depending on the weather. I love that area in all seasons. Thanks, Lynn.
March 13th, 2008 | #
Hi Lynn,
I went to register for the SBBG field trip yesterday and it was marked sold out, so I put my name on the wait list. If for some reason I dont get on the trip, would you mind giving me directions from Santa Barbara - do I go up San Marcos pass Rte 154? if that guess is correct, then what?
Ann
March 15th, 2008 | #