Steep Ravine

Calochortus Umbellatus Old and New

(Marin, California - 5/2013)

Tiny Purple Violet

(San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

POLLEN TIME

I thought this wasp’s hover fly’s  front legs looked like he was scheming and really excited about pollen time.

(San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

Purple Lilies Everywhere (Triteleia laxa)

(Presidio, San Francisco - 5/2013)

Eucalyptus Leaves and Flower Spike

(San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

Bees Pollinating California Buckeye

(Marin, California - 5/2013)

Agave Flower Spray

(Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - 5/2013)

Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) on Thimbleberry Underside

(Marin, California - 5/2013)

Snow Plant Inflorescence

I just got back from a whirlwind half day trip up to the Sierras. I found a few morels (my first ever), some boletes I need to key out and some beautiful Sarcodes (Snow Plant).

(Ice House Reservoir. Sierras, California - 5/2013)

More information on this awesome, non-food producing plant from wikepedia:

Sarcodes is a monotypic genus of a single springtime flowering plant in the heath family containing the single species Sarcodes sanguinea, commonly called the snow plant or snow flower. It is a parasitic plant that derives sustenance and nutrients from mycorrhizalfungi that attach to roots of trees. It is unable to photosynthesize nutrients. Ectomycorrhizal symbioses involve a mutualism between a plant root and a fungus; the plant provides fixed carbon to the fungus and in return, the fungus provides mineral nutrients, water and protection from pathogens to the plant. The snow plant takes advantage of this mutualism by tapping into the network and stealing sugars from the photosynthetic partner by way of the fungus.

Epic Nigella Flower

So this exists in real life. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it in Dolores Park. 

(San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

-thanks to priyaghosephoto and cjros for pointing out this is a Nigella!

Wild Pea Flower Buds and Vine Tangle

(Fort Mason. San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

Purple and Pink Pea Flowers

(Fort Mason. San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

Bee Face Deep in Purple Flower

(San Francisco, California - 5/2013)

Crab Spider With Green Stinkbug Prey

(Samuel P Taylor Park, California - 5/2013)

Wrinkled Poppy

(Fort Mason. San Francisco, California - 5/2013)