Zigadenus fremontii, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Latin name: Zigadenus fremontii; Pronunciation: zig-a-DEE-nus free-MONT-ee-eye; Common name: Star lily; Family: Liliaceae (Lily); Habitat: Rocky outcrops, dry grassy or wooded slopes below 3000′, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. Blooming period: March to May.
I have these above 3K ft, but they are not in bloom, yet. I took this one a couple years ago.
This field of baby blue eyes shows the scorched area of the Chalk Fire. That is Cone Peak in the background.
These are the baby blue eyes, a little closer up. I have one more hillside of baby blues to add to this post later tonight, if possible.
*Poppies, field, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Chalk Fire burn area, taken on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd.
*Poppies, close-up, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
This is dedicated to long-time Big Sur local, Paul Vieregge, who passed over yesterday at home at the age of 87. Blessings to you, Paul, from the beloved hills of home. My heart goes out to Penny and Josh.
So much difference in the various areas — severe damage and great restoration. I did not get a photo, but the Madrones are coming back from the roots of the burned trees. It will be years before the Madrone forests are as thick as they were, but they will recover. Some of the burned redwoods have sprouts coming out all up and down the blackened trunks. It is amazing to see.
I have some general photos of different aspects of the fire’s aftermath, and the recovery that I have been trying to upload tonight, but alas, the internet is not cooperating. When I can …
This is a creek that runs under Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. It has become all silted up, and overflowed the road, at some point.
In the background one can see several emerald areas where the retardant was dropped. In the foreground one can see the California Poppies, red maid, and popcorn flowers. In the distance is Cone Peak.
More photos tomorrow, when I am not so frustrated with the unreliability of my internet connection. I have general photos showing the aftermath, as well as more wildflower photos — fields of Indian Warrior, Poppies, and Baby Blue Eyes, as well as a mixture of all sorts of wildflowers. Until then … sleep well, and have a great day.
*Indian Warrior, originally uploaded by wind_dancer. (Pedicularis densiflorus)
A legend I heard years ago about these unusual flowers, was that whenever an Indian Warrior was killed in battle, his blood soaked the soil, and these flowers bloomed.
I don’t like the way the color turned out on these. The flowers are actually between red and maroon. I played with the white balance on my camera, and still couldn’t get them quite right. Notice the fern-like leaves on these flowers.
I found these in the burn area of the Chalk Fire today.
This afternoon, I took a trip through the Chalk Fire Burn Area, looking for wildflowers, and found many. I’ll be posting a few examples here, over the next few days. Parts of the forest are still incredibly devastated, and others are recovering nicely. One thing that was just astounding was the vibrant green of the hills where the fire-retardant was dropped. I had been told years ago that it was a fertilizer, but boy, I’ve never seen the effect as clearly as I did today. I have shots of some of these places, or I watched, as the planes dropped the retardant. The affect is not to be believed.
This is straight out of the camera, but it looks surreal! Wherever the retardant was dropped, is now an emerald field!
South Coast Ridge Rd., and the forest it traverses, is still closed to the public from Nacimiento Rd. to Willow Creek Rd. However, many wildflowers are viewable from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. I’d advise caution, however, as there are LOTS of tourists on that road, at least today, and most of them were apparently afraid of the edge, and preferred the wrong side of the road!
Watch for photos throughout the week. I will try to post one tonight as a teaser. 😉
And finally, a note about our rather “overzealous” new USFS “cop” — please send or call with any serious stories, if you are willing to back them up, but also remember, we may be VERY glad to have him here this fire season. Note this morning:
“03/29/09 09:14 Big Sur, Mile Marker 14 Plasket Ridge Rd. Report of illegal campfire, USFS responded with Law Enforcement, no fire.”
Black Dragon Canyon, UT, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Thankfully, we had some good weather today, but tomorrow? Oh, my read the post below!!
Mountain Lion, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Today, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with my daughter and grandkids for my daughter’s birthday, and then dinner at the old Railroad Depot. Snow at higher elevations, but Colorado Springs got nada. Cold, though.
This is just one photo of Springtime in the Colorado Rocky Mtns., on I-70, just before Leadville. Lots of skiing going on, and more, after tomorrow’s storm blows through! The second shows the altimeter.
That’s 10,400 ft.
One of the many gifts my parents gave me was the gift of seeing most of the western national parks when I was growing up — long before they were crowded. My step-dad also gave me the gift of teaching me how to backpack up some incredible mountains, carrying everything I would need on my back for camping out in the woods. While both my mother and brother were campers, they did not share our love for backpacking.
Today, I saw Pike’s Peak for the first time in a long time. My step-dad and I hiked that, but I cannot remember how far up we got. We did get to the top of San Gregornio and San Jacinto, though, in other years. As I get older, and continue to function with only one leg, those experiences take on new meaning, knowing I was able to have them in my life. Many do not. Ever.
