It's a hot, sunny California afternoon and I went out hiking with Jen. The hills are yellow and dry, and most of what is still green and lush is poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). We found this sticky monkey-flower in one of the few shady spots on a gravely slope.

Jen wrote an article this week on field sketching. If you want to join us outside, here are some tips: http://noteasytobegreen.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/want-to-feel-connected-to-nature-go-field-sketching/

Freemont Older Open Space
San Jose, CA 6/19/12