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Lemon Lily Wildflower
Saturday, August 07, 2010
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Lemon Lily
species: Lilium parryi
location: Vivian Creek San Gorgonio Mountain California
Long stemmed perennial, when flowering can grow to five feet tall. Prefers damp marshy areas around creeks and lakes at elevations of four to nine thousand feet. Blooms in July and August. Has become uncommon in California.
range: San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto and Palomar Mountains
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| | A last frame from a recent overnight backpacking trip to the top of San Gorgonio Mountain. Happened upon a small marshy meadow along Vivian Creek that was filled with these showy yellow wildflowers. They are Lemon Lilies and are yet another native California flower that has become quite rare.
The small meadow was filled with tall grasses along with the lilies, which were three to four feet tall. I was just starting to move on when a dark furry head appeared above the dense groundcover maybe forty feet away. Apparently I had disturbed a lazy Black Bear. He moved slowly over to a nearby tree and proceeded to scratch his back. Then rolling onto his back he began to one at a time bend over lily stems within easy reach and eat the fresh blooms. Being quite particular he would leave those that were past their peak. Once an area was cleared a quick roll or crawl was all that was required to reposition for further lily grazing. After watching for several minutes, I moved on the bear completely focused on his afternoon snack.
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San Gorgonio Mountain Summit Camp
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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San Gorgonio Mountain - Summit Camp
location: San Bernardino California
Mount San Jacinto in background.
More San Gorgonio Mountain Pictures
| | My tent sits in one of the rock walled sites atop Old Greyback. At 11,500 feet the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain is the tallest point in Southern California. This was my second time to camp on top and fourth time to the summit. The low rock walls have been built over the years by hikers looking for some amount of protection from the often brutal winds on the barren summit. Tonight the walls would not be needed. I reached the summit at 4:30 PM to completely calm conditions with no sign of any late afternoon thunderstorms.
The most direct route is an eight mile hike starting in Forest Falls up Vivian Creek Trail with 5400 feet of elevation gain. The route is very strenuous but straight forward up well established trail. Most people seem to attempt this as a marathon day hike, going the sixteen mile roundtrip in a single very long day. I much prefer the tradeoff of carrying the weight of a backpack and spending a night out on the mountain.
Depending on the amount of smog in the air, the view from the summit is impressive. Looking southeast offers a great view of San Jacinto Mountain and on to Palm Springs, Indio and even the Salton Sea. Further east is Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree National Park. On a clear day all of San Bernardino and Riverside counties are visible far below to the northwest.
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Black Sea Nettles Jellyfish
Sunday, July 11, 2010
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Juvenile Pacific Butterfish with Black Sea Nettle Jellyfish
species: Chrysaora achlyos
location: Off the Coronado Islands Mexico
In addition to the commensal Butterfish this photo shows small crabs, which have hitched a ride on this jellyfish.
range: Undetermined - Believed to be Monterey California to Baja Coast.
More Black Sea Nettles Jellyfish Pictures
| | The Black Sea Nettle Jellyfish is somewhat of a mystery. Little is known about this deep ocean drifter. It can be years between sightings off southern California. When they do make an appearance, its often in very big numbers. In 1989 and again in 1999 swarms washed ashore on San Diego Beaches. Finding them this year was completely unexpected.
This was the first time I had seen them in the wild and they proved to be an impressive jellyfish. Their head or bell can be three feet or more in diameter and ribbon like oral arms and tentacles can trail twenty feet or more behind. They are a drifting oasis from the deep ocean. This shot shows a commensal Butterfish which hides in its tentacles for protection, as well as numerous small crabs which have hitched a ride. We also saw at least one other species of fish drifting with the Sea Nettles, likely a Medusa Fish. Once carried inshore reef fish such as the Senorita and Garabaldi appear to find them a delicacy. They rise from the reef to feed on their stinging tentacles.
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Downtown San Diego
Sunday, June 13, 2010
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San Diego Seaport Village and Marriott Hotel
location: Seaport Village Downtown San Diego California
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| | It doesnt get much better than a summer day in San Diego.
This shot is from Seaport Village downtown San Diego. Street venders sell tie dyed t-shirts along the bayfront, Marriott hotel in background.
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Matilija Poppy
Sunday, May 16, 2010
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Matilija Poppy
species: Romneya coulteri
location: San Diego County California
Its flowers are the largest of any California native plant. Found in dry washes and canyons away from the immediate coast and below 4000' elevation. Blooms May to July.
range: Native to California
More Matilija Poppy Pictures
| | I have read that the Matilija Poppy was once a common wildflower in California. Its found along western facing slopes and valleys away from the immediate coast and is the largest native flower in California. I have spent a good number of years hiking the trails and exploring remote areas of California and have only come upon this spectacular flower a couple of times. Its white and orange blooms can be four to five inches or more across.
This particular plant is located along a popular San Diego canyon trail that I jog from time to time. It had been at least three years since it had set a really nice bloom. Even though I have photographed it a couple times in the past, I couldnt resist returning with my camera.
This photo breaks a couple of the absolute rules of photography. It was taken mid day in direct overhead light and it was a gray overcast day but for this situation and subject it worked.
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Joshua Tree in Goldfields
Friday, April 30, 2010
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Joshua Trees in California Goldfields
species: Yucca brevifolia
location: Lancaster California
In California Goldfields (Lasthenia californica)
range: Endimic to Southwestern United States
More Joshua Tree Pictures
| | One more shot from a recent trip to Lancaster California to photograph wildflowers. Poppies were the focus of the trip but there were some surprises along the way. Given the consistent rains that came to southern California this winter, even some of the most arid areas of southern California were in bloom this year. This Joshua Tree is surrounded by a Goldfields wildflower bloom. For most months of the year this area is a harsh, dry desert landscape. But given sufficient moisture during winter months, it transforms into a Dr Seus garden for a few short weeks in the spring.
This picture was taken north of Lancaster off highway 14 about midway to Mojave.
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Recent Featured Photos
| April 27, 2010 - Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve | April 24, 2010 - In The News - Pigeon Point Lighthouse a Decaying Coastal Lan | | March 30, 2010 - Joshua Tree National Park | March 07, 2010 - San Diego California Hotel Del Coronado | | February 26, 2010 - The Fading Dream of the Salton Sea | February 07, 2010 - California Sea Lion | | January 29, 2010 - La Jolla Big Wave Surfing | December 26, 2009 - Harbor Seal Lounging in Drift Kelp | | December 05, 2009 - In The News - Blue Whale Songs Tones Getting Lower | November 18, 2009 - California Halibut | | November 15, 2009 - Lions at La Jolla Shores Oh My | November 12, 2009 - In The News - Brown Pelicans | | November 11, 2009 - San Diego | November 08, 2009 - Utah Coyote Buttes | | November 01, 2009 - Brydes Whale Feeding on Pacific Sardine | October 17, 2009 - California Big Sur Coast | | October 14, 2009 - Aerial Photo - San Diego USS Midway Aircraft Carrier | October 03, 2009 - Its lobster season - California Spiny Lobster | | September 23, 2009 - Whale Food! Krill Ball | September 20, 2009 - The MLPA Debate and a Garibaldi in a Kelp Forest |
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