Spiny Gumweed Blooms on Mount Diablo Slopes
Saturday, May 30th, 2026 at 2:51:29 PM · 2026/Mt Diablo Camping - Juniper Canyon
This close-up photograph captures a bright yellow composite wildflower, almost certainly a gumweed (Grindelia species), in bloom among the dry chaparral vegetation of Juniper Canyon on Mount Diablo. The flower's distinctive spiny, resinous green phyllaries (bracts) surround vivid yellow ray and disc florets, creating a starburst effect. The background is artfully blurred through a shallow depth of field, revealing muted tones of dry grass stems, green foliage, and a second flower bud at left. The setting conveys the harsh yet beautiful late-spring conditions of California's inland hills, with a mix of living and dried vegetation indicating the transition toward summer drought. The image carries a naturalistic, quietly dramatic feel, emphasizing the plant's resilience in a rugged landscape.
Chronologically Adjacent
