But hidden in plain sight though out it all, the gloom of fires crisping northern California, the lowly & showy tarweed, causing for me Madia Madness. These flowers, the common media, aka Madia elegant. bloom in the spring but is always its best in late summer where the yellow flowers. Usually, they start in late August, but this year's crop started in late July, perhaps portending an early winter, a La Niña on its way. Most of the madia nearby, are more than a single, bright yellow, with their ray flowers showing deep, dark red coloration at their stems, thus adding a little contrast to these showy, yellow flowers.
They are but miniature and quite fragrant cousins of sunflowers and a late gift of nature as the seasons change to fall, then to winter.