Some Yellow Star-Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), photographed at Baker Park in Elk Grove, CA. Note the peduncled flower head, yellow flowers measuring between 1 and 2 cm in diameter, and the straw-colored spines.
Observed Monarch butterfly visiting narrow-leaf milkweed about a week ago. Found two very small monarch butterfly caterpillars on the plant. It’s the first time in about 7-8 years since we’ve seen a monarch butterfly in the neighborhood.
Gray pine growing along and around the American River and the American River Parkway, in the vicinity of the William Pond Park, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County, California. This site lies near the border of Carmichael and Rancho Cordova. Endemic to California, this pine species encircles the central valley and becomes more common up in elevation to the foothills of the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. Leaf fascicles on this tree average 3 needles.
Lots more in this area
Looks like a Calypte wing. Probably best stated as high confidence it isn't Archilochus but I don't expect to be correct always without a fanned tail. Had been seeing Archilochus tails all day