one of the largest I have seen. Resides at the base of a quite large Bay Tree
A single individual spotted but I am certain there were more along the riparian corridor.
Edge of road in harsh conditions, edge of chaparral. 1 - 3 feet tall, single stem rising; very few leaves and those that were there were very small.
in the upper reaches of Arastradero Creek drainage. I was surprised that these were still in bloom
common throughout the preserve
Black sap oozing from Q. agrifolia bark. Had the same on a Blue Oak at home. Arborist said there is no control and that eventually the limb will die. In this case it was the trunk but I expect the tree will eventually heal itself.
higher up the draw this willow becomes a little more prominent within the riparian plant community. It seems to host fewer species of galls than the other willow species
this was in its very beginning stage. It will grow much larger. Found on Q. lobata leaf
These have become quit tame as long as you are quiet and move slowly. Often they will move only a few feet into the roadside brush where they feel you can't see them and are, therefore, safe.
quite common in patches within the Preserve; from heavy shade to open grassland
This individual couldn't have cared less whether I was there or not.
all along the now dry creek
numerous patches which surprised me a bit. Nice to see those spots of color still around.
Now we wait for the tarweeds to their thing later this summer.
This thistle is beginning to take over the entire area. Little seems to being done regarding the dramatic spread of this invader. Once summer brown hillsides are now tending to be Starthistle green
I was surprised to see this plant but happy to find it growing not far off the trail . Two plants growing out in the middle of a large patch of brown grasses and a few Coyote Bushes nearby.
Some of the many Buckeyes are already shutting down for the season. Several trees on one hillside were totally brown. Down near the creek the plants were much greener but still showing some tendency towards browning.
A fair number of young Valley oaks observed on this walk. Most looked healthy with lots of new growth
A fair number of blooms along the creek
I saw at least four this day. Best was 2 of them doing a total assault on a Coopers Hawk that came too near.
Riparian corridor but also along road generally in shade with mid-afternoon sun. Very hairy and from 1 to 4 feet tall. I suspect it is an alien brought in by one of the many users of the Preserve.
I am pretty certain about this. A CalPhotos picture looks almost exactly like the specimen I collected. Out of its natural range which is southeastern California mountains
Saw quite a few this morning but only in one area of the Preserve, which was surprising. NOT the swarms seen on campus.
I was lucky to only find one .. crawling up my leg
With European Honeybee.
Some of these trees are already beginning to loose their color. I suspect by the end of July we will observe many of the trees will have gone into dormancy already. About a month ahead of time.
