These stalk lupines are dying back. They exude a cloyingly sweet fragrance. The white parts of the petals showcase the vivid blue-purple of the rest.

Chinese houses and a few Indian pinks linger under the shade of the manzanita as spring draws to a close.

There is just only a thin stripe of white on the high peaks. Looking out over my neighbor's mowed meadow to the high country, the colors and rolling hills look eastern European. I just saw "Everything Is Illuminated."

I thought this was a rock by the driveway. It's some sort of huge fungi.

This stand of Fremontia is almost in full bloom. I've never been able to grow it in my yard which makes it all that more magnificent in the wild.

That's the Santa Clara county jail in the background. I loved this small buckeye in bloom: the little tree that could.

An elderberry at Guadalupe Park and Gardens near Taylor Street. Lots of blossoms which become berries which become syrup/wine. The products are very popular in England.

Buckeye in bloom in the drought resistant demonstration garden along Taylor Street.

Seep monkey flower grows in the marshy areas along seasonal streams. A storm system is forecast for tomorrow and Monday, a welcome respite to the hot dry weather.

A purple milkweed about to bloom. Most of the ones outside the fence are bitten off by the cattle (?) leaking an opaque white sap.

The Fremontia are starting to bloom. The blossoms extend the length of the branches, a showy spectacle in full bloom.

These meadow larkspur are in the shade near the well tank. The rich blue purple color is beginning to fade as they finish blooming.

The humble ceanothus in full bloom. Most are white. This one has a hint of blue gray.

My favorite wildflower, from the lily family, the rosy fairy lantern.

Elderberry flower close up. Syrups and liqueors made from elderberry are all the rage. An idea for a sunset career?

So green, but drying up fast. You can see some snow looking up to the high country peaks.

The coastal live oaks are the greeniest green this year in Guadalupe River Park.

Carpenteria Californica photographed on Taylor Street in San Jose. I walk Phoebe by here almost every day. Lots of native plants landscapers are using carpenteria. It occurs naturally only in eastern Fresno county.