Primary purpose is showing the sap oozing from the acorn. I believe this is from a fungus that is parasitic one of the oak gall wasps. My understanding is one of the wasps parasitizes the acorn and then the fungus does the same to the wasp larva which produces this black ooz that drips down onto everything and is difficult to remove. Any body else heard this?
I thought I had photos but guess I lost them. In the swale below the enclosure on trail 15.
I found the photos and hope you agree with the ID.
large hole lined with silk. It is getting to be mating season! Large enough to put my thumb down into it. Not that I did mind you, just to give you an idea of the size.
The remains of a ground nest dug out by a creature looking for tasty morsels. Raccoon?
well developed site of a wood rat nest
So far I have found these only on Q. durata
Strange to see these small trees doing so well this year. A fair number of acorns. Some of the trees have just finished blooming, while some are still in the midst of blooming.
Through the drought these plants have fought to produce larger berries than normal. A good crop this season
Numerous ant holes surrounded with chaff, the husks of the grass seeds they have been harvesting.
I saw five swarming ant groups and they may have all been part of the same colony since all were within a 10' radius.
Correction on the ID: It was not Messor. Under glass this had head and gastor black and a brown/orange rounded thorax and one petiole, 8-10mm as per: California Academy of Sciences Identification Key to 16 Common Ants of The San Francisco Bay Area.
A doe and last season's fawn
A dozen plants right in and near the fire road. I don't remember seeing them there before. There were also a dozen or more seedlings spread around also.
Unfortunately this plant is taking over. I even see a few creeping into the serpentine zone where they were very rare before.
The smell of California in the late summer and fall. In full bloom now and the smell sticks to your clothing from the plant oils attaching to your pant legs as you walk along.
I didn't actually see a bird but found lots of turkey feathers and fresh poop.
Delightful new cones developing on the redwoods along Alpine Road
The discarded exoskeleton of a developing cicada hanging out on a fence post.
Nicely developing fruit which normally turns red in December.
Second photo also shows the remains of a Wild Cucumber, Marah, vine.
Developing fruit. Unusual to see three fruit on the same flowering stem.
All along Alpine Road. Those with fruit were in the sunnier areas along the path
Same story as the Mountain lion. This was visitor #2. Not certain if this is U. americanus or U.americanus californienis. Even though I live in a highly populated area I think I'll get me one of these cameras.
My son had butchered a goat and rather than burying the remains dumped them on the ground and set up his camera.
Q. lobata with gall opened to reveal larva cases (3). Most of the interior is spong/styrofoamlike.
Scurrying across the bridge to avoid my treading upon it. It was all of about 1.5 inches.
All along the fence line and creeping into the path again. Colors rapidly fading. Everywhere from 1' to 10' high
Along Alpine Road in the disturbed areas along the new trail. So if it is nearing 3' tall. No flowers yet but the strong odor if you touch the plant or brush against it. I understand it is highly invasive. I want to catch some of the flowers before seeking permission to harvest these plants.
two flew over the car as we were leaving the area.
