Carex acutiformis, the "lesser pond-sedge" is such an unflattering name for such a pretty plant. I came across this during my first creek crossing at Henry Coe State Park and was really captivated by it for some reason.
Ok now I have to do some timeline cleansing by sharing all my favorite pops of color from flowers and trees on my backpacking trip last week.
This beauty is "Indian Warrior," native to California and Oregon.
I *think* this lovely thing is a Northern Red Oak, but correct me if I'm wrong. I'm learning all these for the first time!
And the Buckbrush gets an honorable mention because they smell AMAZING.
@killyourfm I think that's right.