Gilson Creek Area, Part 2

 This is the second set of photos from my recent exploration of the area between the North end of Oakland Camp and the mouth of Gilson Creek, about 3/4 mile to the West.  More and more species of wildflowers are coming into bloom and the insect and spider visitors are arriving soon afterwards.  First on today's list (above) is the Douglas's Spiraea which graces the banks of Spanish Creek through camp and beyond.  This happens to be a very hardy bush which many locals, including me, have incorporated into their landscaping.  Actually, at home I've planted the Mountain Spiraea, but both species are hardy and bloom for a long time.

 My favorite Milkweed, the Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa, is beginning to bloom all around Quincy and is already attracting beetles, bees, and butterflies, but I have yet to see my favorite, the Red Milkweed Beetle, Tetraopes basalis.

 We have two local species of Pennyroyal and I believe this one is the Mountain Pennyroyal (below).

 One of our many local members of the mint family, Lamiaceae, is the Self-heal.  It doesn't have much of a fragrance, but has the square stem and characteristic blossoms.

 St. John's Wort is abundant on many Quincy area roadsides and definitely near all three tributaries of Spanish Creek in the Oakland Camp area.  We also have the closely related Klamath Weed, but I haven't seen that one blooming yet this season.  Will discuss the distinction when both are blooming.

 This Crimson Columbine was blooming under the huge White Alders that shade the mouth of Gilson Creek.  They are also blooming around Tollgate Creek and Berry Creek.