Lomatium Lullaby
I know, I know, it is still winter. But that will not keep us wildflower enthusiasts from searching for the first spring blooms. Tarn and I took a Losar wander into the wilds in search of any flower taking our unseasonably warm weather as an opportunity to tease us with color. It seemed a good way to spend the Tibetan lunar New Year’s Day. We headed to the Painted Hills, hoping the lower elevation might provide an environment for some early flowers. Of course, I was not going to hold my breath.
We saw nothing but hints of spring’s botanical bloom along the way. Driving over the Ochocos we witnessed a bit of flooding in the meander of Marks Creek as it snaked its way through fields of snow lingering in the meadows. Dropping down from 4,000 feet elevation to 2,000, the snow rapidly disappeared. A bit of green began to tinge the edges of some fields. By the time we got to the Painted Hills, we noticed even more green painting a backdrop of the rich red and yellow earth of the John Day Formation.
We parked at the trailhead for Carroll Rim and began the ascent. Everything looked desiccated, revealing the silver and gold of winter’s desert carpet. About a hundred yards up the trail I am surprised by a nest of small green leaves hosting beautiful yellow composite flowers atop red stems. Immediately, I pranced around in my wildflower dance. Tarn was still looking for flowers down below and recognized my gyrations, our little ritual when spotting a specimen.
This particular flower, a kind of desert parsley (Lomatium hendersonii), is usually one of the early bloomers, but we had never seen it in February. This botanical offering, rising from ochre clay soil, contrasted sharply with the dry foliage of surround plants. We began to see it everywhere, peppering the landscape with yellow dots. I cannot describe the delight I feel a times like this.
We continued to the top of the rim and sat down to do some practice. We chanted a mantra meant to restore harmony in the world, empowered by gratitude for the earth’s beauty. The song of our chants echoed over the land like a Lomatium lullaby casting the earth’s splendor from soil to sky for all to hear. May all beings walk in beauty upon this sacred planet and honor that echo through acts of loving kindness. May we all remember this as our true calling.