SPRINGTIME IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Flowers and Sunshine

Coastal manroot, a common wildflower along the northern California coast.

In mid-April I spent a week in Humboldt County in northern California, home of towering redwoods, rugged coastline, rushing rivers and fertile valleys. I have visited Humboldt County numerous times in the fall for the biannual Authors and Illustrators Festival. This time I was doing research for a new book. Unlike my previous research visit in early February, when it rained constantly and the rivers were mad torrents, the weather this time was warm and sunny. 

Swallowtail butterfly.

Flowers were blooming, birds were singing, butterflies had emerged from their chrysalises, and the rivers had mostly returned to their normal steady flow. 

The Mad River, near the town of Blue Lake.

Columbine.

Most of my time was spent working on my project, but one afternoon I took a walk on one of the many trails in the Arcata marsh conservation area and visited the small museum. 

Redwood Creek.

Another day I ate my picnic lunch at the trailhead of Redwood Creek in Redwood National Park near the town of Orick. Everywhere I went I was amazed by the abundance of wildflowers. Here are a few of my springtime photos.

Blue-eyed grass.

California poppies.

Lupines.

Ferns uncurling.

Wild garlic.

A pair of ducks in the Arcata marsh.