Neither of these two flowering shrubs are native to the areas where I found them; the snowbells originate in China, Korea, and Japan, so I can’t help wondering how this one came to be in bloom above the shores of Folsom Lake. The Pipevine Swallowtails don’t seem to mind the taste of something exotic! Although these shrubs are actually native […]
Although our photographer certainly enjoyed outings to places like the Gold Country, the San Joaquin Delta, and Gladding McBean in Lincoln, it’s very clear she also spent plenty of time tending to her beautiful home garden. As a person who has never been bitten by the gardening bug (although every other sort of bug seems to zero in on me), […]
I’ve never visited the Getty Center in Los Angeles, and I may never get the chance to wander through the museum or the gardens. But the good news is that Huell spent a good bit of time exploring this cultural jewel, and for the next two Wednesdays I’m featuring the episodes he filmed there, showcasing the Central Garden and the […]
More brilliant spring blooms and whimsical garden decor from the photographer’s home garden, May 2010.
After having spent the majority of the morning going through my recent images of spring wildflowers, trying to firmly identify each of them, I can tell you without a doubt that I would have never amounted to anything as a botanist. I’ve been using three books and two computer apps, and I’m still not completely sure I’ve got all of […]
The vernal pools appear dry, but the wildflowers are popping up everywhere. On my visit the other day, I saw mostly purple Vetch, yellow Hawkbit, and White Hyacinth. But as I continued to look, I also spotted Vernal Pool Goldfields, Little Quaking Grass, Checkerbloom, Valley Tassels, and even Downingia. The signs of life are definitely there to see, if you […]
When I first noticed these yellow-and-white irises growing wild at Lake Berryessa’s Steele Canyon Campground, I had no idea that ladybugs had already moved in and were making themselves at home. It was difficult for me to get close enough to see precisely how many of these bright red insects were there; but I did also spot at least a […]
Most of the photographers hoping to capture the lupine at Folsom Lake right now seem to make a beeline for Beeks Bight, accessible through the Granite Bay entrance on the north fork. Very much like last spring, when we had a genuine superbloom, the social media posts have popped up and the news helicopters have been hovering. Visitors have been […]
It’s starting to look and feel more like spring again here, so these spring backyard blooms from the photo album are a perfect fit! In fact, most of the remaining pages are dedicated to colorful flowers, and I’ll do my best to identify them — but no guarantees that I’ll get them right. I believe most of the pinks this […]