opuntia-prickly-pear

Think cacti don't have leaves? Wrong! The emerging pad on this prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) has small leaves, but they will drop away as the pad matures.

escobaria-missouriensis

The Escobaria missouriensis cacti that Brian and I found are confirmed as the first record in the preserve. Read more: Red eyes and orange crowns.

toxicodendron-poison-ivy

Even poison ivy (Toxicodendron sp.) has flowers in the spring. This menacing plant grows thickly along the paths in the preserve -- stick to marked trails indeed!

cedar-brake-trail

The forest is lush and green now, despite the chilly breeze that was blowing today. Read more: Red eyes and orange crowns.

castilleja-purpurea-4

There was even an ivory-colored paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea).

castilleja-purpurea-3

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea).

castilleja-purpurea-2

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea).

castilleja-purpurea-1

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea) glowed with brilliant pinks, magentas, and corals.

yucca-sp

On cloudy days like this one, the yuccas look icy blue.

lichens

Some of the trees support fantastic-looking lichens.