Snow Plant

While looking for morels in the foothills, we found a 'snow plant,' a saprophytic plant like the sugar stick, but larger. Apparently when the snow plant is blooming, morels are around, so it is likely that we were a bit early for morels.

Sarcodes sanguinea, Pipi Valley, 5/4/11

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.