Walking With Wildflowers

Dodecatheon (resembles) hendersonii - Shooting Star

This past weekend, I was overjoyed to lead my family to the Bluff Lake and Siberia Creek area above Big Bear Lake, CA.

All the guidebooks say July is a great time to see wildflowers at this elevation, and they proved accurate. I am too excited to share these photos to wait for #WildflowerWednesday.

A tiny spring feeds these brilliant lemon lilies.

Lilium parryi - Lemon Lily
Forest Service sensitive species

They are so pretty, and apparently you can purchase them from nurseries. Like many day lilies, they are an edible delicacy.

Queen of the meadow: the California Corn Lily, Veratrum californicum.

Up close, its flowers resemble orchids. Unlike the Lemon Lily, this plant is mildly toxic.

Lupin was abundant, but past its prime. Lupinus andersonii - Anderson's Lupine.

We saw tons of Indian Paintbrush, the richest in color I have witnessed. Castilleja applegatei ssp. pallida.

There were also big clumps of Western Columbine, Aquilegia formosa. Usually, I feel super lucky to spot one growing solo!

Here's a weird one: Sphenosciadium capitellatum - Ranger's Button. My first encounter with this fascinating plant on its tall stalks.

Wild geraniums filled the hollows along the creek. Geranium richardsonii.

Even the shrubbery was getting into the "be fruitful and multiply" spirit. This cousin to the oak tree generates tons of spiky balls, each containing edible nuts. I have not tried them yet, but they are said to be sweet. Chrysolepis sempervirens - Chinquapin.

Fruit is setting on the currant bushes. I wonder when they will be ripe? Ribes nevadense - Sierra Currant.

I think it must be ladybug mating season because they are gathered onto flowers and stems in clumps. I managed to capture a macro of one on the tip of some Sedge. Carex sp.

Even the mushrooms are enjoying the season. I won't attempt to identify this one, I leave that to the experts.

My son occupies this pine stump throne like the king of all the wildflowers. I think he looks like he is having a great time on this leisurely walk, don't you?

Thank you for joining us on our meadow adventure!

"If you lived here, you'd be home by now."

Hope your day is filled with beauty.
Love,Cat