Pipevine Swallowtail on a yellow thistle(? - ID incoming, I saw a picture of this on iNat or CalFlora earlier today).
Flower observed in chaparral of the American River valley near Auburn. Pale yellow, five petals. Should have kept a shot of the whole plant.
Female Grouse, Lower Enchantments
Unknown bug, Eight Mile Campground. A very small bright red critter on the weave of a blue backpack.
Hoary Marmot, Rune Lake meadow
Mountain goat, Sprite Lake
Mountain Goat nanny and kid, Upper Enchantments
Golden-manteled ground squirrel in Eagle Creek Canyon.
A shrub dominated habitat, didn't really note the plant life. This squirrel was accustomed to humans and human food on this popular trail.
Small white butterfly I followed around the river bank at Tamaroo Bar. The photos aren't very clear, but I'm pretty sure it's a Cabbage White.
Baby lizard.
Northwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis)
Damselfly on the rocky stream banks of the American River near Auburn. Habitat and appearance seem to make it most likely an Emma's dancer, or at least in genus Argia.
No photo, anecdotal for personal use only. Subadult black bear, some light brown or blondish fur on back. It bolted downstream from the trail as soon as it saw and heard me.
This is a common plant in along streams in mountain meadows at middle elevations (I've noticed them between 6,000 to 8,000 feet elevation) of California mountains. A friend called them skunk cabbage, but I don't believe this is Lysichiton americanus. Any ideas?
ID made.
Wet meadow habitat.
Chipmunk common in woodlands and meadows along the Rocky Canyon trail south of Pyramid Peak.
