On a warm June morning I hiked through the hills on the western edge of Kenna Cartwright Park, including some off-trail routes across the south-facing slopes.    The goal was to hike a known route where blazing stars (Mentzelia laevicaulis) bloom in June and July.    This is an area I have visited in past years and I was not disappointed this time.   A few other dry area species were also spotted and shared here:

• alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
• blazing stars (Mentzelia laevicaulis)
• blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
• swallowtail on thistle (Papilio multicaudata)

The album can also be viewed on Google Photos (with captions) – link – Vista Hills Nature Hike

We have propagated blazing stars in our garden and they will be transplanted in late summer to their 2026 blooming spots (in dry and gravelly locations).