After the Winter rains there is a brief period of time when flowers of all colors bloom and winged pollinators are busy preparing for the next years bloom. In that moment it becomes easy to forget that most of the year these plants are mere seeds and/or stalks. It is however quite the moment! The buzzing of bees, the chirping of hummingbirds and the seemingly random flight paths of moths and butterflies keep your eyes moving over the landscape. Year after year a majority of the flowers come back along with the host of pollinators attracted to them. Several factors like when it rains, how often it rains and whether an area has burned

Most of us are lucky to see any of this beauty but a few dedicated souls seek this beauty out. They rise early and make the time to visit favorite spots; they visit these spots often during the flowering season and they get excited about seeing the first of any bloom of the year. What these people know is that the Santa Monica Mountains contain beauty that can take your breath away but lasts for a brief moment. They understand the rhythm of the blooming flowers - first the wild cucumbers and then shooting stars, Lupines and Poppies until the Humboldt Lily signals the end of the blooming season. They stay content until the next big bloom by seeking out the flowers that bloom for longer periods, flowers that can withstand hot summer days - the flowers that keep our pollinators fed and busy year round. While you are hiking this Fall, look around at all the flowers still blooming - you may be surprised!