Wildflowers

Mountain Beauty - Judith Sparhawk

I went to the mountains today and ran across this very interesting and pretty wildflower that I'd not seen before. It was a vine, growing on and up through other plants, and had lots of these small star-like white flowers. After I got home I learned that is is called White Virgin's Bower. My book said that it was traditionally called Pepper Vine, from the peppery taste of the stems and leaves, which Native Americans chewed as a remedy for colds and sore throats. In addition, it is said that the crushed roots were placed in the noses of tired horses to revive them. Needless to say I didn't try out any of these--just took a few photos! 7/9/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Palo Verde in Bloom - Judith Sparhawk

A desert species of plant I found in Caroline Park in Redlands. It gets its name from the green color of its trunk and branches. It has tiny leaves for reduced transpiration in arid climates, pretty yellow blossoms in spring and summer, and nasty spikes on the larger branches. This close up shows all these characteristics. 6/13/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Just Starting to Bloom - Judith Sparhawk

In the Mill Creek area there were quite a lot of blooming yucca plants. This one was quite different from the others--it had the wonderful profusion of green and purple spiky leaves, a much thicker stalk, and it was just starting to bloom. This shows the plant, maybe 6 feet tall, so therefore shorter than some; and the flower spear looks different, with the blooms just poking out from the confines of the bud structures. I had to hike quite a little way down the creek bed to get close enough to do this one justice--I think it was worth it! 6/8/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Gettin' Cozy - Judith Sparhawk

When I was out hiking and found some California Poppies, I noticed these two little Hover Flies snuggled up in the center of one of the flowers. I could just imagine being that small and buzzing around in that gorgeous golden cup, practically drowning in all that beauty! 6/6/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Snow Plant - Judith Sparhawk

On my recent trip to the mountains I saw several of these Snow Plants. The plant shows up after the snow recedes, poking through the forest floor. This one was about 10 inches tall; it is a fleshy plant, entirely red, which draws its nutrition from the rich humus of the forest. 5/31/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Manzanita in Bloom - Judith Sparhawk

On my trip up to the mountains yesterday, the Manzanita was in bloom all over the place. This shows the red of the Manzanita branches and its pink flowers in front of the trunk of a large Ponderosa Pine tree. 5/29/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Yucca Flowers - Judith Sparhawk

This is a close up view of the flowers of a blooming yucca plant. The post yesterday showed a plant with the flowers not quite as open as these--I liked the way the individual flowers look as they open and show off the purple edges. As the flowers open like this, they are (hopefully) visited at night by the Yucca Moth, the sole pollinator for this type of plant. 5/16/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Our Lord's Candle in Bloom - Judith Sparhawk

It was definitely blooming time for the yucca plants in the lower mountain areas where I was hiking recently. They were dotting the hillsides, and many were in the Mill Creek bed where I was hiking. This one is called Our Lord's Candle, and grows in one solitary stem of flowers from the spray of "leaves" growing from the rocky ground. It was one of the many wildlflowers blooming in the area. 5/15/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Mill Creek - Judith Sparhawk

One place I went hiking yesterday was along a stretch of Mill Creek, in the San Bernardino Mountains. This area is at about 4,000 feet elevation, and there were many wildflowers in bloom. The yellow in this view is Scotch Broom, which was growing in the dry rocky creek bed where I was hiking. The fragrance was wonderful, and there were quite a lot of ladybugs enjoying the Broom as well. I hiked down to the running water of the creek and along the bank. Flowers were everywhere and birds were chirping in the trees. It was heavenly! 5/13/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

California Gold - Judith Sparhawk

These California Poppies were one of many wildflowers I saw on my Mill Creek hike the other day. They are one of my favorites. 5/14/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Blowing in the Wind - Judith Sparhawk

After hiking at Mill Creek, I started to climb up the hill from the creek bed, and noticed this stand of wild oats growing at the top of the hill. It looked so pretty blowing in the wind, against the blue sky. 5/20/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Stream Orchid - Judith Sparhawk

When I was birding at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve yesterday, a hiker asked if I had seen the orchids. I had not, and have never seen orchids in that desert environment. A little while further down the boardwalk, he said he had found some. When I went to see, this little flower was what I saw. There were several plants, some with buds, but this was the only one with a flower. I thought it was very interesting, certainly very different. It is called a Stream Orchid, was only a few inches off the ground, with the flower about 1/2 inch across. It was difficult to photograph well, as I had to stay on the boardwalk and shoot down from above. Very fun discovery that I had just walked past without even seeing it. 5/6/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Deadly Beauty - Judith Sparhawk

When birding today I ran across a Jimson Weed plant with three large and beautiful flowers, plus lots of buds. This is one of them, which was about 5 or 6 inches across. This plant is in the Datura family (cousin to tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes!). Parts of the plant have medicinal uses, although it can also be considered poisonous, so despite how pretty it is, don't pick it! ;-) 5/5/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Cactus Pink - Judith Sparhawk

This pretty cactus was one of several plants in bloom at the entrance to the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve where I was birding the other day. I liked that this view showed the bud, the flower, and the fruit from last year's flowers, all in one shot. 5/7/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Daisies Galore! - Judith Sparhawk

This is the place where I found yesterday's ladybug on the yellow daisy. As you can see, there are lots of daisies, mostly yellow, but some white and yellow. Many places I went in the San Diego area were filled with wildflowers just like this, which was along a bike path in Imperial Beach. Everywhere was just dazzling--and I took way too many pics of the flowers. 4/22/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Hello Lady! - Judith Sparhawk

Just back from a few days in San Diego, visiting my son for the first time in over a year! A real treat, now that we are all vaccinated! While down there I did a lot of birding (first coastal birding of the year--28 new birds for my year list), and everywhere I went there were wonderful yellow daisies growing like crazy. While walking and enjoying the flowers, I spotted this ladybug, also enjoying the sunshiny day and flowers. I got off several shots before she few away (I always think of ladybugs as female--how could any self-respecting "guy" have the name ladybug??? ;-) 4/21/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Hillside of Color - Judith Sparhawk

Yesterday I posted a pic of the beautiful Gazania Dasies at Yucaipa Regional Park. This image is of one of the hillsides of the daisies, showing the masses of color they provide. There were a few wildflfowers peeking out here and there, but these planted flowers were the showtoppers this visit! 4/6/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Scarlet Pimpernel - Judith Sparhawk

When I was hiking in Yucaipa Regional Park, I spotted these little wildflfowers, which I remember from childhood, but I hadn't seen for a long time. The name, Scarlet Pimpernel popped into my head immediately--how could I remember that? They are some of what we called "belly flowers" because they grow so low to the ground, you practically had to be on your belly to see them. The flowers are about 1/4 inch across, and they grow just a few inches tall. I will be away from my computer for a few days, so will be unable to post or comment. 4/18/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Springtime at the Ponds - Judith Sparhawk

I went birding at San Jacinto Wildlife Area yesterday, and this is one of the ponds I drove around. The yellow flowers are blooming--3 or 4 different species of yellow, and the trees are leafing out. The wintering birds are thinning out, and it was 85 degrees in the afternoon. We had a dry winter, so it is not as green and full of wildflowers as it gets after a "good winter". Still, was a nice outing and a peaceful place to hike. 3/31/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Field of Flowers - Judith Sparhawk

I was walking in my neighborhood recently and passed this yard that was just filled with African Daisies. It was such a great blast of color! I had taken my camera out to shoot the great clouds that afternoon, but this was a fun surprise. 3/26/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Bloomin' Yucca - Judith Sparhawk

I went hiking today in San Timoteo Canyon, hoping for birds. The birds were few and far between, and the canyon is very dry right now. We have had so little rain, the hillsides are not green, as they are some winters. I was surprised to see this yucca plant just starting to bloom--it seemed early for this. It was nice to see something besides dry grass! 1/11/21 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Looks at the Sun - Judith Sparhawk

I went for a hike yesterday in San Timoteo Canyon, out of Redlands, CA. There were only a few birds visible, and most of the canyon is very dry after the hot summer we have had (and seem to still be having). The one plant that was going gangbusters was this wild sunflower, with many plants, some growing about 8 feet high! The plants were covered with flowers, which had attracted many honeybees, as well as some Lesser Goldfinches. I have always called them wild sunflowers, but my wildflower book calls them Common Sunflower or Mirasol, which in Spanish means "looks at the sun". I really like the idea of that as their name. 9/16/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Cattails in the Wetlands - Judith Sparhawk

I spent the day birding down at Salton Sea. One of the places I visited was a wetlands area with acres of cattails surrounding large ponds. They were swaying in the breeze, and had a nice graceful look about them. This was one shot I took with the water behind. 6/1/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Matilija Poppies - Judith Sparhawk

I went for a hike in Caroline Park in Redlands today. I hadn't been there for some time, and was pleased to see a variety of wildflowers in bloom. This pic is of the Matilija Poppies, one of our more spectacular wildflowers. There were masses of blooms, all over the hillsides, each flower about 4 to 5 inches across, and just beautiful. 5/19/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

A Riot of Yellow - Judith Sparhawk

This is a view of the wildflowers along the road and by a small pond at San Jacinto Wildlife Area. I know I have shown several shots of that area, but I couldn't resist, as it is so pretty in springtime. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back there again while it is still filled with glorious color! 4/16/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Mustard Fields - Judith Sparhawk

This view shows the yellow flowers of the wild mustard growing at San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Except for a few purple lupine plants, most of the wildflowers this spring are yellow--mustard, plus at least 2 other yellow flowers. I go birding at this site all year long, and except for a few weeks in spring, it is dry and brown, and not very attractive. In spring it is transformed into a bright and beautiful place, green and gold with mountains beyond. 4/14/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotograpy.com

Lupine Spear - Judith Sparhawk

This lupine was photographed recently out at San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Spring wildflowers out there were mostly yellow--the rains came too late this year for a great wildflower bloom. This lupine was much more purple than the Texas bluebonnets. (I checked, and there are 200 species of lupine.) Over the years I have seen wide color variations from one place to another, but this is all I have seen this year. 4/13/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Sunshine & Bee - Judith Sparhawk

One of the few wildflowers blooming on a recent walk, was the wild sunflowers. This honeybee conveniently photo bombed my sunflower shot. 3/26/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

California Poppies - Judith Sparhawk

Our California Poppies may not be as famous as Texas's Bluebonnets, but those of us who have lived here many many years, they are always a welcome sight in spring. These were the first I had seen this year, and they had been planted rather than being true wildflowers, but I just had to stop to take a few pics. 3/27/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Don't Touch!

Reading about Elizabeth's Sumac, and her discussing poison ivy and poison sumac, made remember a shot I took of Poison Oak, at Oso Flaco Lake near Santa Maria, CA. Most of the year the leaves are green, but in fall they turn orange to red. I had never seen them as bright red as these were, and needless to say I didn't get too close. As kids we were always told that when the leaves are red they are extra "poisonous". These were just a few leaves from a plant that was climbing in the trees, as high as 6 or 8 feet high. I looked up the scientific name for this plant, Toxicodendron diversilobum, which grows in western north America, with poison ivy in the east. Contact with the leaves of this plant cause an itchy rash on the skin. I haven't experienced it for a long time, but remember "getting" poison oak after childhood hikes. We were taught early to look for the shape of the leaves, growing with three leaves on the stem. 12/4/19 Judith Sparhawk

Jimson Weed Flower

One of the plants still blooming in San Timoteo Canyon last week was the Jimson Weed. Some of the flowers were small, but this one was large and lovely, with a tinge of purple on the edges. The Jimson Weed, or Datura, or Thorn Apple, is an invasive weed introduced probably from Central America. Some parts of the plant and the seeds have some medicinal uses, although it is generally considered poisonous. It has some hallucinogenic properties, but is NOT recommended! 10/15/19 Judith Sparhawk

Fiddlenecks

One of the wildflowers at San Jacinto Wildlife Area was the Fiddlenecks. Although they grow in the vacant lot in my neighborhood, I'd never tried to photograph them. I like their curled stem tips with the flowers. They are in the Borage Family, and are sometimes called Rancher's Fireweed. 3/28/19 Judith Sparhawk

Datura Bloom

At the Lavender Festival, out in the lavender fields there was an occasional Datura plant. This was a flower on one of the plants. I liked the nice purple tinge on the edges of the petals. Also known as Thorn Apple and Jimson Weed. Either way, it is poisonous.

Jimson Weed in Bloom

It's that time of year for the Jimson Weed to be in flower, and I found these purple-tinged blooms at Whitewater Canyon Preserve yesterday. So often they are pure white--very pretty--but the purple ones are my favorite.

Jimson Weed Flower

One of many beautiful flowers of Jimson Weed in Whitewater Canyon Preserve.

California Poppies

The California State Flower, the CA Poppy, is a beautiful golden orange. This shows the buds, flowers and seedpods. Judith Sparhawk

Lotsa Baby Blue Eyes

These Baby Blue Eyes are one of my favorite wildflowers. I remember then from childhood hikes--these and Shooting Stars were the flowers I always searched for. These were photographed at Descanso Gardens in the Los Angeles area, a few years ago. When I just ran across them, I decided to post them for today. 3/9/19 Judith Sparhawk

Chocolate Lilies - Judith Sparhawk

These Chocolate Lilies were photographed in a natural botanical garden in Homer, Alaska. I have always thought of these flowers as very rare (I do know one place in Southern California that they grow, but are quite rare). They are a wildflower, and I did see them a couple of places in Alaska, but even there they seem really special. Their rich brown color is quite unusual, and set them apart. 8/17/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Texas Bluebonnets ~ Springtime in Texas means fields of beautiful bluebonnets.

Bluebonnets in Texas

No wonder they talk about this flower as being such a favorite in Texas. I have seen many species of lupine in many places, but these are the brightest blue ever!

Freedom! - Judith Sparhawk

I always have the feeling, when I see a milkweed pod split open, that the seeds are bursting with the desire for freedom. A breeze comes along, and off they fly--free at last! This shot is of such a seed pod with many of its seeds still enclosed, and accompanied by one small milkweed bug. 8/8/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Free At Last! ~ My new milkweed plant has many seed pods on it. This is the first one to open up, to let out its seeds. They began to lift and fly in the afternoon breeze. I had to grab my camera to capture them before they could fly away.

Pyramid of Seeds ~ Another shot of the milkweed seeds just out of one of the small pods on the plant I just got. Still waiting for a Monarch to happen by and choose it for a home for it's babies!

Me & My Shadow

~ All these seeds came out of a small pod milkweed plant. I liked the way the one on the right showed its shadow. They glistened beautifully in the sunlight.

Milkweed Seeds

~ This is a close-up of some of the milkweed seeds from the plant in my patio. I loved the shine from the sunlight.

Puff Ball ~ This seed head and bud of the Yellow Salsify was photographed at Cherry Creek State Park in Colorado. I loved the pattern and shine in the seeds of this puff ball, which was several inches across.

Matilija Poppy

This beautiful poppy is a wildflower of spring in Southern California. This one was very large--about 6 inches across.