Post Fire Landscape: Mt. George, Spring 2018

This was by far one of the most fantastic hikes I’ve taken, maybe ever. To see the infamous Fire Poppy, Papaver californicum, which only blooms in a post fire environment and will lay dormant until the next char (isn’t nature amazing?) was a truly incredible experience.

Thanks to the Napa Land Trust and Napa Valley CNPS I was able to have the opportunity to view these and many more beautiful post-burn blooms on a protected piece of property on Mount George, right behind my house here in Napa.

It’s taken me some time to publish these photos which are from April 2018, and I am looking forward to year 2 post fire hikes throughout Napa County. The landscape in these disturbed sites is already changing so much. There is a lot to learn from these naturally regenerating ecosystems, and certainly a great deal of beauty to take in as well.

Papaver californicum, a delicate rare beauty.

Calochortus amabilis, Golden Fairy Lantern

Scutellaria tuberosa, Common Skullcap

Chaprral meets Meadow.

A lovely mixed wildflower display in a post-burn chaparral environment. Delphinium cardinale, Scarlet Larkspur; Toxicoscordion fremontii, Fremont’s Star Lily; Helianthella californica, California Helianthella

Toxicoscordion fremontii, Fremont’s Star Lily

Lasthenia californica, California Goldfields

Mimulus guttatus, Seep Monkeyflower

Looking West towards Napa.