Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus helleri

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus helleri, hanging out by the entry kiosk at the Santa Rosa Plateau. In fact, at least one person almost ran into it. It pays to pay attention to what you're walking on when you hike. This one is a youngster, perhaps about a year old, with only three rattles. They get one rattle per molt and molt about 2-3 times a year. — at Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

Wild Peonies in Southern California!

Wild Peony, also called California Peony and Western Peony, Paeonia californica, Santa Rosa Plateau. I had no idea we had wild peonies in Souther California but one look was enough to know that I was looking at a peony (so I snapped a few shots).

While not as stunningly beautiful as its hybrid cousins, the wild peony has been put to use by the native tribes. The powered root has been used for colds and sore throats as well as upset stomachs, stress, depression, and menstrual pain. Others say it causes nausea so, personally, I'll not be eating any of it. Still, it is fascinating that peonies can survive in the arid California landscape. They apparently grow and bloom in Winter and Spring and then go dormant over the summer to avoid the dry season.

Shooting Star

The alpine meadows at the Santa Rosa Ecological Preserve were full of Chocolate Lillies and Shooting Star, Dodecatheon clevelandi as well as a whole host of other wildflowers. It was quite a sight. There was also a lot of variation from plant to plant which was fun to speculate about.