Wildflowers in July at Sagehen Creek

The Buddha in the rock garden has all but disappeared into the oxeye daisies — turquoise mala still on, chin-deep in stems by the time I went out with coffee. Good enough excuse to go see what the rest of July looked like, so I drove out to Sagehen Creek, the easy hike off 89 about six miles north of the interstate, turnout just past the bridge over the creek.

The June flowers — western peony, blue camas — are finished. What's carrying the month now is lupine, whole clumps of it along the dry stretches, purple spikes already going to seed pod at the bottom while the tops keep opening. Scarlet gilia and paintbrush are the other July regulars out here. In the greener grass closer to the water, a single yarrow had come in pink, which I have only ever seen in white.

Best thing on the way back: one California poppy wedged between two granite slabs, stem bent flat across the rock, flower still open.