Chaparral in June

It's June in the Chaparral.  There are still many blooms on the Elderberry bushes (and some berries starting to ripen too) and lots of monkey flower, black mustard, and white sage in bloom all over the hills.  But, these are some pictures of new plants coming into flower in June.

Gum Plant (we used to call it tattoo flower because the buds have a sticky resin that will make a flower shaped spot on your hand after sprinkling it with trail dust.  It resists soap and water too.)

Pearly Everlasting

Wild roses (probably not natives.)

Bush Mallow

Diamond Clarkia

Chamise

Red Stemmed Filaree?

Some sort of salvia - I don't think it's Crimson Monkeyflower.

Prickly Pear Cactus

This month the creatures I've met along the trail have been of a more friendly variety.

Road Runner

Long Nosed Snake (unfortunately his nose is already down the hole.)

Rabbits are all over.

Look in the mud nest to see the little swallow waiting for its dinner.