Sequoias surrounded by Lupines ( 14 C )
The Giant Sequoias are the biggest living things and may live to be over 3000 years old. They grow naturally only within California in the western Sierra Nevada range. Since their discovery (by non-native people) in the mid 1800s, they have been very protected . These trees have amazing bark, which may be up to a foot thick on older trees. It is almost fire-proof and due to tannins, it is almost bug-proof as well..
Mixed in with these giant trees is vast sea of lupines in the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National park. There are many species of lupines in the mountains which are hard to tell apart. This species likes the same elevation as the sequoias ands I have seen them every summer in forested sequoia groves as far south as the Congress grove of Sequoia National Park to our south.
These are one of our largest dragonflies, with a wingspan up to 3 ½ inches wide. Its easy to tell this is a male since the females lack the white spots. They frequent ponds and slow moving streams. Most like to perch on a tall weed from which to look for prey, which makes it possible to get good looks or photos.
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