On the Open Sunny Slopes

In early spring we see the first emergence of wildflowers and flowering shrubs on the lower-south-facing slopes, but because the sun reaches an angle of about 45 degrees, any steeper slope that is about 45 degrees will receive more of the sun’s radiation, speeding up the emergence of plants, insects that pollinate them, and the birds that feed on the insects. On these steep slopes we see the first emergence of sun-loving flowers like desert parsley (Lomatium sp.), yellow bells (Fritillaria pudica), and arrow-leaved balsam root (Balamorhiza sagittata).