Snow plant in bloom in the Sierra, south of Yosemite

The snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea), grows throughout the Sierra Nevada and into the Cascade mountain ranges. Unlike other flowering plants, it grows from digested organic material in the soil, similar to a mushroom, and doesn't make its own food as green plants do. The flowers can emerge while there is still snow on the ground, thus the common name. The species name, sanguinea, refers to its blood-red color. It's in the heath family, which includes cranberries and blueberries, but it is not edible.

These snow plants were blooming south of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra National Forest. We were out looking for plants in the spring of 2013 and found these excellent specimens.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Yosemite's Grizzly Giant sequoia

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is at the southern end of Yosemite National Park.  It's a popular tourist destination during the summer and the highlight for many visitors is the Grizzly Giant sequoia tree.  It's 210 feet tall, has a 92-foot basal circumference, and is estimated to be 1800 years old.  The diameter of its lowest branch is bigger, at 6 feet, than the trunks of any of the non-sequoia trees in the grove.

This photo was taken during the winter when visitors must make their way over snow with snowshoes or skis, or, if the snow is firm enough, by hiking.  We merged three images together to show the full height of this massive tree. We've skied out to the Mariposa Grove many times. We've even camped farther up in the grove during the winter, when the Park Service treats it as a wilderness area.

Rick skiing toward the Grizzly Giant, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.