Summer Botanizing in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale)
It's early October, and migratory birds are starting to show up in the Central Valley.  Dogwoods in the Sierra are starting to change into their autumn garb.  It's long past the prime season for wildflowers!

But, before I get swept away by fall foliage and the arrival of some favorite long-absent birds, I want to share a collection of wildflower photos I took in July while botanizing and hiking at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

Many of these plants are closely associated with wet meadows, critical habitats in the Sierra that support an abundant diversity of plants, as well as insect, small mammal and bird species.
Leopard Lily (Lilium pardalinum)

Richardson's Geranium (Geranium richardsonii)

Draperia (Draperia systyla)  Looks unimpressive, but is beautiful carpeting the floor of the forest
  
Mustang Clover (Linanthus montanus)

Jeffrey Shooting Star (Dodecatheon jeffreyi)

Meadow Lotus (Lotus oblongifolius)

Western Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides)

Mountain Monkeyflower (Mimulus tilingii)

White Rein Orchid (Platanthera leucostachys)

Pennyroyal (Monardella sp.)

Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa)

Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii)

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