Dodecatheon hendersonii

On President's day we hiked Mt Diablo from Regency Gate to the peak. Henderson's shooting star ( Dodecatheon hendersonii ) are starting to make an appearance. There are also plenty of butter cups and Indian warriors starting to pop.

Dodecatheon hendersonii, Mt Diablo, 2/21/11

There was still quite a bit of snow from the weekend above 2500 ft.

Mt Diablo, 2/21/11

Snow in the Berkeley Hills

Snow? In Berkeley? We went up to investigate the reported snow early this morning... it was still snowing a bit. I wonder if the recent rain and cold will stimulate another mushroom crop.

East side of Volmer Peak, 2/19/11

Wyethia, 2/19/11

And the first Mule's Ear of the year ( one of the Wyethia ), quite early it seems.