Wildflowers of Point Reyes National Seashore

While renowned for its birds and wildlife, Point Reyes National Seashore is also a treasure trove of botanical wonders, a real playground for California botanists - and spring is the best time to visit, by far, for a wide variety of blooming wildflowers.  Eric and I recently spent an extremely windy day birding botanizing at Point Reyes and, between wiping the wind-induced tears out of my eyes and making sure I didn't blow away, I managed to snap a few photos of some of my favorite wildflowers.

If you venture out in search of the best blooms, I recommend the Chimney Rock and Elephant Seal Overlook trails, the trail to Abbott's Lagoon, and, of course, the jaunt out to the iconic Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Yellow bush lupine, intertwined with wild cucumber and fiddleneck (along the aforementioned jaunt out to the lighthouse).


And without further ado, I give to you: a selection of the wildflowers of Point Reyes!

Yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus)


Pussy ears (Calochortus tolmiei) -- One of my absolute favorites! 
(I'm a big Calochortus fan in general!)


Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana)
(large patches of these along the trails were just stunning - wild iris gardens!)


Sky lupine (Lupinus nanus)


Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa)


Field chickweed (Cerastium arvense)


Witch's-teeth (Hosackia gracilis) - formerly classified as a Lotus
(This plant is considered rare and threatened in California due to its limited coastal distribution.)


California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)


Cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum)


Happy wildflower season!!

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