Nature Study at the Beach :: More Dune Flowers

Last summer, we hit the local coastal walkways several times and I had a chance to get familiar with some of the dune flora.  On our trip last month, we took another walk along the dunes and I was able to spot a few new ones and revisit some old favorites.  

thrift

dried thrift balls

beach aster

beach primrose

coastal sagewort

tree lupine

lizard tail

red clover

sea rocket

I find this habitat not only beautiful but also fascinating.  Here in California, the state parks are very particular about visitors staying on the trails along the dunes.  I am sure to follow the rule since I just love these pristine stretches of rolling sand and don't want them destroyed, but I imagine too that these special flora must be quite hardy to grow so steadily on such inhospitable soil.  I love seeing the unlikely places they pop up and how far they spread.

I'm particular about keeping running lists of our wildflower sightings, so these went straight into my nature journal--more on that another time!