Spring Moves Upslope

 Living on the east side of the Sierra gives us access to a long glorious spring.  It begins in February in the desert and ends in July in the high country.  Right now, we are in mid-elevation spring.  The huge flower fields are done, but the interesting flower species continue.  We meandered over a fair distance to see specialty flowers from the Greenhorn Mountains, to Tehachapi and up to Bishop.

The last of the flower fields in the desert Sierra Canyons.

First up is the Greenhorn Mountains.  It used to be a lovely cedar shaded walk, but now that it is burned up, it is hot and depressing, except for a couple glorious flower species.  They are worth a hot hike.

Greenhorn Fritillary, Fritillaria brandegeei

A glorious small flower in a large burned forest.

Shirley Meadows Star Tulip, Calochortus westonii

I do love all the hairs on these flowers.

We combined our Greenhorn Mountain flowers with a stop to see the Alkali Mariposa lilies in Lake Isabella.

Alkali Mariposa Lily, Calochortus striatus

Another hair encrusted flower.

A few Butterfly Mariposa Lilies, Calochortus venustus, were in the field with the Alkali.

It has a slightly hairy throat.

Next up was a trip with our friend Georgette to the Tehachapi's for Spanish Needle Onion.  It was a fabulous display.

Spanish Needle Onion, Allium shevockii

While there we found a few Desert Mariposa Lilies, Calochortus keneddyi.  

And nearby we found some Triteleia just starting to bloom.  These aren't the widespread Sierra version, but instead are Triteleia piutensis, one of the rarest species of flowers in California. 

We also did a couple hikes in the southern Sierra and came up with some rarities, and others that are widespread but lovely. 

Bearded Monkeyflower, Erythranthe barbata

Nine Mile Phacelia. Phacelia novenmillensis

Ok, it isn't a flower, but what a beast of the White lined Sphinx Moth it is.

Desert Calico, Loeseliastrum matthewsii

Bitteroot, Lewisia rediviva

Plain Mariposa Lily, Calochortus invenustus

California Mountain Kingsnake

Then we moved north near June Lake to catch the arrowleaf balsomroot display.