Greenhorn Mountains

We visited the Greenhorn Mountains a couple times, mostly to try and find a couple of flowers that I have never seen, but also to spend a fabulous morning with world renown artist, feather expert, and all around great guy John Schmitt.  Our morning with John got us great looks at Pileated Woodpecker, and then we all headed down to look for Purple Fairy Lantern, Calochortus amoenus, and Greenhorn Fritillary, Fritillaria brandegeei.  John was intrigued to see the fairy lanterns.  He had seen the White Fairy Lanterns along the coast and wanted to compare.  We found several groups of Purple Fairy Lantern, and they were lovely.  Greenhorn Fritillary on the other hand, remained elusive, maybe next year.

Ithuriel's spear

Prettyface or Golden star, Triteleia ixioides

Yellow violet, Viola glabella

The star of the day, Purple Fairy Lantern!

Valley Tassels, Castilleja attenuata

After great views of our first species, we headed off to find our second flower species.  The oak woodlands were lovely and flower filled, but devoid of Greenhorn Fritillary.

Lupine and Popcorn Flower

Bonha Peak, maybe we will climb that one day.

California Poppies

Phacilia sp

Oak woodland strolling

Common Madia

Wallflower

And more Purple Fairy Lanterns

Chinese Lanterns

Dogwoods!  Another personal favorite.

Our second attempt at Greenhorn Fritillary greatness involved fog!  Lots of fog.  And like all the other fog I've endured, it was cold.  Brrr.  We also had another goal in mind if the fritillary didn't work out, Owl's Clover.  I had spotted a couple distant patches, and we were going to get a close up look.

Our path is a closed forest service road.

Finally we are starting to get close up looks at the Owl's Clover.

And I am very, very happy!  And cold too.

Did I mention the owl's clover were on a really steep hillside.

Owl's clover and Globe Gilia

Now the sun tries to shine after I've eaten lunch in the fog.

I think oaks and flowers are a lovely combination.

Acorn Woodpecker holes in the bark of a downed tree.