Mitchell Canyon: green grass, oaks out of leaf, mistletoe in the branches, and haze above. Just beyond the trailhead.

Buckeye shoot. Not far beyond the trailhead in Mitchell Canyon.

Alnus rhombifolia (white alder) catkins with last years cone-like seed pods. This year's female flowers (like the seed pods) weren't out yet, although some green ones were bud.

Alnus rhombifolia (white alder). Leaves were just coming out. Mitchell Canyon, adjacent to Deer Creek.

Umbellularia californica (California bay laurel) not quite in flower yet. This species is the only member of Lauraceae native to California.

First paintbrush of the season up here on the approach to Deer Flat. Scraggy, to be sure, but it's in bloom.

Arctostaphylos glauca (big berry manzanita). Never 100% sure with manzanitas, but the leaves and inflorescence panicle seems to fit. Need to check back when in fruit: 10-15 mm "little apples" are an important marker.

Arctostaphylos glauca (big berry manzanita). The trail from the Deer Creek crossing to Muchio Gap was lined with these (and lots of gray pines too). Not 100% sure of the identification but there is a CNPS report of A. glauca from exactly this site on Calflora.

Erysimum capitatum (wallflower). This was taken after the others, on Jan. 18, in a different area (near Devil's Elbow). Not much is new up there since December ... except these.