The first journey of the summer has begun and as I make my way south to the Sierra San Pedro Martir botanically diverse destinations will craft the route I drive. The first stop was not too far from home, but a place I had not yet been. The serpentine soils along the Frenzel Creek Research Natural Area foster the sympatric overlap of two cypresses—along with many other unique serpentine plants. Enjoy the photo-blog, as I won't have a lot of time to write with many miles to travel.


MacNab cypress grow in a shrubby form in the uplands growing with leather oak among other species.


Cupressus macnabiana


Macnab cypress in the foreground on the upper slopes and Sargent cypress in the background along the creek bottoms


Sargent cypress along Frenzel Creek


Cupressus sargentii


Ghost pine (Pinus sabiniana) were common


Serpentine barrens above Frenzel Creek


Calochortus amabilis


Epipactis gigantea