2015 - Robert's adventures in the Northern Sierra Nevada - California

[Robert]

The Crystal Range - devoid of snow. Even at the higher elevations the snow did not last long.

[Robert]

A few more photographs from errand day - the scenic route.



Dudleya cymosa



Calochortus albus. Growing out of the hillsides.



Castilleja lineariloba



Pseudobahia heermannii - A late bloomer on sunny dry hillsides.

[Robert]

Dudleya cymosa  - Everywhere on the rock faces.



Acmispon wrangelianus.



More Dudleya cymosa.



Mimulus aurantiacus



Triteleia laxa

[Robert]

Silene laciniata ssp. californica - Many good forms seen.



Sedum spathulifolium - Blooming on shady rock faces.



Gilia capitata.



Erysimum capitatum.

[Gerdk]

Robert,
Once again many thanks for your violet images with detailed information about the sites.
Do you believe some of the species shown will not be able to flower because of a lack of moisture
in the region?

Gerd

[Robert]

Robert,
Once again many thanks for your violet images with detailed information about the sites.
Do you believe some of the species shown will not be able to flower because of a lack of moisture
in the region?

Gerd

Gerd,

Yes, it does appear that some of the violet species will not be blooming / or blooming much this year due to the drought conditions. There are uncertainties. When I look over my plant journal(s), it is clear that in the last year I have become much more thorough in my examination of the native flora. If I had started taking better and more complete notes before the drought had started, I might have a better understanding of how the plants are reacting. Sometimes things are not as they first appear. When I am out each week, I see many subtle (some not so subtle) reactions to the drought.

To date, I have not visited some of the prime sites for Viola sheltonii. Lower down the mountain there are still places where I might still see V. lobata in bloom. I have no idea what I might find - though I am sure it will be interesting.

[Hoy]

Robert,

do the snow really melt when you have that dry sunny weather or does it simply evaporate directly (sublimate)?


I am still enjoying your outings!  - and the flora of course

[Robert]

Robert,

do the snow really melt when you have that dry sunny weather or does it simply evaporate directly (sublimate)?


I am still enjoying your outings!  - and the flora of course

Trond,

Depending on the weather conditions we can have both, or some combination.

In the case of the past week, some snow did evaporation from the strong dry northerly winds, then there was more melting from cool, sunny weather conditions. When visiting the higher terrain this week, I could see the melting snow puddle and hopefully soak into the ground. Even on the south facing slopes there was moisture in the ground from the resent melting.

[Robert]

My wife and I took my 92 year old father on a ride today to the Peavine Ridge area. Not much of a botanical trip, however we all had a good time. My father likes the mountains. Although he could not get out of the car, my wife and I brought the wildflowers as close as we could to him (i.e. flowers next to road that he might see them.)



Cornus nuttallii - still blooming in the higher country.



Lupinus next to the road.



The Lupine looked great today. Lupinus ? lepidus.



Calochortus minimus



There were many Calochortus minimus blooming, with many variations in markings.

[Robert]

Another early bloomer Sanicula tuberosa.



Sanicula tuberosa. They were seen frequently.



Viola purpurea.  A very floriferous form. Many blooming today.



Lupinus stiversii.



Iris hartwegii.

[Robert]

Iris hartwegii blooming near the road.



I will leave with this last Iris hartwegii. Not too many near the road, however they did look nice.

[Gerdk]

Viola purpurea.  A very floriferous form. Many blooming today.

What a sight!  Thank you Robert!

Gerd

[Hoy]

Although I also like the violet, I must say I like them all! Couldn't choose only one if I had to!


Robert,

hope your father liked his little outing

[Robert]

Viola purpurea.  A very floriferous form. Many blooming today.

What a sight!  Thank you Robert!

Gerd

Gerd,

Peavine Ridge runs, more or less, east-west. The soil changes it's character along it's east-west axis, some places being volcanic in origin, in other places being red clay, and in other places something different yet. The road travels along the top of the ridge on it's south facing flank. Viola sheltonii can be found on the north facing flank. Needless to say we could not walk far from the car to check on them.

Once again, Viola purpurea was found in both sun and shade. Most of the plants had few flowers. I am not sure if this is drought related or something else, or a combination of factors. I will say that I rarely see Viola purpurea with as many flowers as the one in the picture. V. purpurea does not seem picky about soil as long as it was well drained and acid in nature.

Anyway, I am glad you liked.

[Robert]

Although I also like the violet, I must say I like them all! Couldn't choose only one if I had to!


Robert,

hope your father liked his little outing

Trond,

My father does not have long on this planet. I had not seen him this happy in a long time. He had a very good time. I think that he would like to go like Willow John: propped against a big tree looking out over the mountains, his spirit free to take off over the mountains and valleys.