Hog Lake! It was gorgeous!
Fourteen wildflower enthusiasts were suitably wowed on this late-April excursion to see vernal pool blooms. The timing was perfect for catching the end of the “yellows” explosion, which was just starting to give way to a whole new palette of beauties.
The yellow goldfields, tidytips, and Johnnytucks were just fading, while the purples of double-horned downingia and blue stars, and the whites of popcorn-flower and white-flowered navarretia were making their yearly appearance, amongst many other species.
This field trip was a followup to Greg Lockett’s spectacular presentation at our April Chapter meeting, Hog Lake and Environs. Those who missed, missed out big time! But there is still plenty to see if you want to go on your own: Hog Lake—the misnamed huge vernal pool off of Highway 36E, north of Red Bluff. But go now, before it gets hot!
Here is a short slideshow of a just a few of the many species that we saw in bloom at Hog Lake. Photos by Barbara Peck and Don Owen. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
