The Lupine I Planted



Here are the descendants of three plants my landscaper planted a few years ago. The original plants were lost to burrowing creatures of unknown origin. All of the new plants are healthy and blooming. I hope to keep them alive this summer as the rainy season dribbles to a close.

The Lupine Project



One of the large bushes outside the fence starting to bloom. Every year I scatter the seeds and more bushes come up.

Cluster of Shooting Stars



Despite the dryness, more Shooting Stars this year.

Shooting Star



I'm seeing more Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon Clevelandii) this spring. This perennial herb is in the primrose family, also related to the cyclamen. I wonder why this native wildflower has never been cultivated by nurseries.

Baby Blue Eyes



Great name, great color, great flower. Found on my neighbor's property, this is the first one I have seen this season. An annual, Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii) has a close relative in the Five Spot. This one was all by itself. Last year there were large patches in the wetter areas.

Gooseberry: The Whole Bush



Quite the spectacle with hundreds of flowers hanging from every branch. Loving the shade and flourishing under oaks, this specimen is the largest I've seen on the ranch.

Bitter and Beloved by Bugs and Birds



Bitter Gooseberry (Ribes Amarum) is winding up the showy phase of its seasonal cycle. The dramatic red and white flowers are beginning to fade as they morph into prickly berries. Another plant with lush growth defying this dry year of low rainfall.

Wild Cucumber Up Close



Now in its prettiest stage, Wild Cucumber (Marah Fabaceus) blooms and grows and twines up whatever is in its path.

Redbud: Pure Pink



Western Redbud (Cercis Occidentalis) blooms before it leaves. It occurs naturally on the other side of the ranch. This is a specimen I've nurtured for three years.

First Day of Spring



Not the showiest wildflower in the meadow, still the lace pod (Thysanocarpus curvipes) with its translucent intricacy heralds the spring. Responding to the slightest breeze, they tend to cluster in groups bending in unison.

Elderberry Prepared to Bloom



Looking particularly healthy, green and leafy this year, the elderberry (sambucus nigra) promises more blooms than usual. Protected by the endangered species act, because it provides the habitat for the elderberry beetle. Interestingly the buds are reddish, the blossoms white and then the berries will be almost black.

Purple Nightshade



This purple nightshade (Solanum Xanti) is proliferating down the hill from the house. A few minutes of googling indicates that it is not of the poisonous variety, but not planning to eat it anytime soon.

Like a Park



with the Sierras in your backyard. My neighbor's beautifully maintained yard inspires.

Through the Rocks into the Trees



Miraculously, there's still water on the ranch during this heat wave. The streams beckons you in the trees.

Saxifrage Emerges



Despite the heat, there are just a few early flowers.

In Appreciation of the Smaller, Subtler Flowers



This variety of ceanothus (deer brush) has inconspicuous blossoms. They are less showy than the other varieties, more of a hidden treasure.

Lupine, the Bush



The bush lupine are just getting started. Here is one of the first bushes to bloom just south of the back fence. The new plants are looking healthy.

Redbud Ready



With this hot weather, these blossoms should burst forth any time. Initially, I confused these with fruit trees, the flowering plum to be specific. Redbud is native to the Sierra foothills, used for baskets by the native peoples.

Spring Splendor



The buckeye leafs out and prepares to bloom.

Snow Nostalgia



Remembering the snow nearly two weeks ago.

Ferns



Seen sprouting in shady spots.

Spring Green



The lush elderberry bush in the back yard.

The Fungi Are Coming



A brilliant gold mushroom emerges in the forest after the rain.

Grass in the Grinding Hole



Water tends to linger in the grinding holes. Here the sediment must have contained some grass seeds.

Tracks in the Snow



The early bird leaves his footprints.

White on Grass



Powder coats the grass to dramatic effect.

A Dusting of Snow



This Ponderosa Pine (planted five years ago as a sapling) welcomes the snow.

Ready to Bloom



This ceanothus variety is an early bloomer.

First Flower



Indian Warrior rising up beneath the oaks. Great to see these early flowers adding color to the landscape.

Snowfall at Nightfall



Clouds in motion as a few last flakes fall.