Owls-clover
Image copyright by Mark A. Chappell

Owls-clover (Castilleja exserta) is a characteristic spring annual in grasslands in California.  It is semi-parasitic, but does have green leaves (unlike some completely parasitic plants).   These were growing on the Santa Rosa Plateau near Temecula.

Canon 1D3, Tamron 180 mm macro lens, ringflash, or (above center) Canon 24 mm T/S lens with extension tube (2008)