This long Spring that started sometime in February - and the unusual late rain of May - gave us a succession of wildflowers. Dozens of different kinds - some of which we have not seen often.

Our favorite drive for wildflowers is Butts Canyon Road, from Pope Valley to Middletown. In Summer, this road is definitely not attractive. The hills are volcanic rubble and the trees are Digger Pine and other scrubby stuff. But in Springtime, the roadsides become a bouquet of flowers. Most of the posies have faded now, but here are a few of those we have seen coming and going.