Yellow penstemon is a native of the dry interior of northwestern North America. Most references cite the genus Penstemon as being in the figwort family (or Scrophulariaceae), but the molecular evidence suggests otherwise; the Wikipedia entry on the current “best-fit” family, Plantaginaceae, provides a readable explanation on why the taxonomic landscape for this genus (and many of its relatives) has changed.
Conservation resource link: “Endangered by Research” in The Chronicle of Higher Education relates the sad stories of some newly discovered species of animals and plants being poached and collected to death after a description of the taxon appeared in a scientific journal. Read one of those stories about the devastation wrought on a small species of cactus in heartbreaking detail: Ariocarpus bravoanus – On the Edge.
Penstemon confertus is a lovely wildflower, unique in that it is yellow flowered. This one appears quite pale! Most Penstemon species are of course variations on a blue theme. It's fairly straightforward to grow in gravelly sloping soil and coming from near Osoyoos is well adapted to summer drought. Mt. Kobau is notorious for me. I collected seed of a few plants there in 2002 and my car overheated climbing toward the summit! It's also home to thousands of Lewisia rediviva, and the Royal Astronomical Society's (Vancouver chapter) annual star party/campout ... just thought I'd throw that in there.
Beautiful composition and depth of field!