Table Moutain Wildflowers - Last Week of April

© All Rights Reserved

I made one last trip to view the wildflowers of Table Mountain during the last week of April.  I had hoped the recent rains  had kept the small stream and waterfalls still running and that I would see some flowers I had not yet viewed this spring.  I wasn't disappointed on either count.

Seep Monkey-flower ~ Mimulus guttatus

I noticed on the drive up to Table Mountain that the water seepage in  the ditches and hillsides had enduced a magnificent show of Yellow Monkey-flower everywhere one looked.  This was also the case once we arrived and started our hike down to Hollow Falls.

Joining me this day was my Daughter-in-Law, Ann, my Granddaughter, Madison and her friend Isabella.  We were greeted at the start of our hike with a mass of Yellow Monkey-fower and White Tipped Clover, clearly marking the areas of seepage.  Since my last visit, the Yellow Monkey-flower had replaced the show of yellow California Goldfields and blue Sky Lupine so predominant across the upper hillsides in the previous weeks.

The white Meadowfoam once again lined the banks of the small stream,  this time more profuse than last.

Table Mountain Meadowfoam ~ Limnanthes douglasii

The rains of April had clearly extended the profusion of color, however the hillsides were starting to show the result of some of the warmer weather we had experienced as well with scattered areas already turning brown. 

Kellogg's Clarkia ~ Clarkia arcuata

The first show of pink Kellogg's Clarkia was evident in the cobbled areas.  We encountered quite a profusion of it further down the hill on the cobbled areas on the south side of Hollow Falls.

By the time we had descended half way down the hillside, I had found several Woody Mountain Jewelflowers looking as though they were in the last stages of bloom.  I also found one of my favorites, Dark Stained Pretty Face, just a single plant with its radiant petals begging a snap.

Woody Mountain Jewelflower ~ Strepthanthus tortuosus

Dark Stained Pretty Face ~ Triteleia ixioides

 



When we stopped to take a photo of Madison and Isabella on an old stump, Madison spotted a small racer snake that was far too fast for my lens.  We were suddenly joined by a friendly dog who was curious about our search for the snake. He stopped and posed long enough for me to get a snap before running off to find his companions.





Just as the girls were getting ready for their picture, they noticed a 'Blue Belly' lizard who didn't seem too eager to give up his spot in the sun.




Western Fence Lizard

Madison and Isabella



 

As we neared the top of Hollow Falls, the cobbled cliff areas to the south were alive with the pink Kellogg's Clarkia mentioned above. In addition we were seeing numerous Glassy Wild Hyacinth, a white relative of the Dark Stained Pretty Face. 
 



Glassy Wild Hyacinth ~ Triteleia lilacina

Kellogg's Monkey-flower ~ Mimulus kelloggii



There were a few, scattered remnants of the blue Spreading Larkspur and even fewer, pink Kellogg's Monkey-flower that had been so abundant on my last visit. Mixed in with the other flowers were the tiny flowered Grass Pinks waving in the wind.

Grass Pink ~ Petrorhagia dubia

As we started the descent down the path to Beatson Hollow, we came across a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly working what was left of the Spreading Larkspur.

There was a small stream of water still flowing over Hollow Falls.  It was a great place to cool off after our hike down.  The Yellow Monkey-flower, once again, was evident in the moist areas adjacent to the fall of water.  There were also a number of Bluedicks still blooming in the vincinity of the falls.

Bluedicks ~ Dichelostema capitatum

The girls made the return trip back up the hill along the stream.  Ann and I opted for the higher ground to the south.  The sweeping views of the hillsides from this vantage point really show off the variations in color, especially against a blue sky.

Sky Lupine was still putting on a show on these slopes mixed with Purple Owl's Clover and the last of the California Goldfields.

It was in this area that we came across a white flowered relative of Purple Owl's Clover called Valley Tassels, mixed in with the Sky Lupine, Bird's Eye, and Purple Owl's Clover.

Valley Tassels ~ Castilleja attenuata 



As we neared the end of our hike, we were looking for the pink of Bitter-root in the flat rock areas.  Bitter-root was one I had not personally seen as yet so I was very excited when we found several plants in bloom a short distance from the end of our hike. 

Bitter-root ~ Lewisia rediviva

In the moist areas adjacent to the flat rock areas we came across our last flowers of the day.   Like soft blankets of white, the California Sandwort and Navarretia covered the ground.





My four visits to Table Mountain this spring have each been rewarding.  The transition from week to week in a wet spring like we've experienced this year ensures a continuation of variety and ample color to delight the eye.  I was fortunate to encounter Albin Bills, co-author of Wildflowers of Table Mountain Butte County, California on my last trip.  His extensive knowledge of the geologic history of the mountain as well as the location of specific wildflowers was welcome.  I am one of many who utilize his book as a great source of reference.

While wildflowers are the biggest lure of Table Mountain, many people bring along kites to catch the windflows against the marvelous background.  Until next  year, I leave you with this shot.

© All Rights Reserved on contents and photos contained in this blog