This peony is endemic to southwestern California (USA) and northernmost Baja California (Mexico). It grows on dry hillsides in the coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities of the coastal mountains.
The plant dies back in the summer, and tolerates little or no water while dormant. It puts forth its compound leaves after a good winter rain, which this year happened in mid-November. So we’re seeing the flowers already, before the end of the year. Nice!
I see acorn woodpeckers all the time, but rarely spot a Nuttall’s.
Western Bluebird on the fence at Las Virgenes Reservoir.
Good to stretch the legs on a 9 mi / 14.5 km hike.
We saw these huge, gorgeous, rich orange-gold mushrooms growing among the roots of a coast live oak. Apparently this species is bioluminescent! And poisonous. Says Wiki: ”while not lethal, consuming this mushroom leads to very severe cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.”
My niece is visiting; I took her to Sisar Canyon and we hiked further and found a waterfall off a side trail. Magic!
hashiworks 