I participated in another series of hikes this Spring, and here are the fruits. I'm sorry I don't remember many of the plant names. I oughta write 'em down when I learn 'em. I've identified the ones I remember.
Deer Weed. You notice how it's yellow and orange? Well, this is insect-pollinated and insects can't see the difference between orange and green. The flowers bloom yellow, and when they are pollinated, they turn orange. The insects don't see the pollinated flowers, so they don't bother visiting them again.
Mother Nature is pretty smart, huh?
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| Deer Weed |
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| Indian Pink |
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| Scarlet Pimpernel. Hmmm...that would make a good book title! |
We saved this fellow, as a crow had ahold of him when we came down the trail to our cars. Mr. Crow dropped him and flew away. You are welcome, Sir Ringneck!
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| A remnant of a part of early Santa Barbara's water works |
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| My favey, Canyon Sunflower |
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| Big Pod ceanothus |
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| A salamander from the creek |
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| Non-native, but very beautiful, rock rose |
The Coyote Bush have tons of these spit-wads on them. Inside is a spittle-bug, who has secreted the protective goop surrounding him.
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| The bug. |
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| A California Thrasher. They talk like Mokingbirds. |
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| The turkey vultures love the updrafts! |
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| A bull frog warming up in Lake Los Carneros |
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| Holly Leaf Cherry |
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| Sticky Monkeyflower. When you come to visit, have me show you its pollination trick. |
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| A big ol' bullsnake! |
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| Caterpillar Phacelia |
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| Humboldt Lily! Pretty, isn't it? |
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| Lupine |
Yuccas are pollinated by a moth, who lays her eggs in the blossoms. The larvae eat some of the seeds. It is a good relationship!
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| A native orchid |
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| This was THE biggest alligator lizard I'd ever seen! |
Here are a couple Mariposa Lilies:
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| A nice slab of (I think) schist. We hiked in an area of geologic mélange due to accretion. |
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| Wild blackberry |
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| Thistle |
The local
newspaper rag recently published a column by a local nature/hiking writer. Here it is. As always, click for a bigger version.
