popcorn flower ~ 05/02/10 ~ Fort Ord

Hickman's popcorn flower

Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. hickmanii

CNPS 8th Edition Inventory

Boraginaceae

CNPS rates this a rare species in that it is limited in its distribution. I'm almost certain of this ID because Vern Yadon talks about it in his book. Even though Plagiobothrys has 69 matching records on Calflora, this particular plant is found in vernal pools and wet meadows, exactly what is found at Fort Ord.

ps - I could be totally wrong, too! Vern says it's easy to identify based on peculiar nutlets. What the heck are nutlets?

variable checkerspot ~ 05/02/10 ~ Fort Ord

variable checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona

I have many pictures of the variable checkerspot for the simple fact they hold still long enough to take a halfway decent picture of them. I don't actually see them as often as my pictures suggest in relation to other butterflies.

sun cup

Camissonia ovata

Onagraceae

At Fort Ord, these seem to bloom right as the footsteps of spring start fading. I've often seen them side by side, one blooming and the other not. Sun cups are in the evening primrose family and are also called golden eggs.

catching my blog eye

I really enjoy reading blogs and linking forward, especially now that my e-mail and browser are set-up on a new, speedy computer. I still have many files and pictures to transfer... erg.

Found this Matthew Will's blog entry to be interesting. Reminded me of an unknown cottony tree I saw last year. Makes me wonder if I've been looking at things a bit too simplistically for ID.

Speaking of galls, you must check out Blue Jay Barrens' apple cedar rust gall post. Amazing!

I appreciate the information people care to share through blogs. There's lots to be learned from first-hand experiences.