Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) in a flock. This picture is just a very small part of this large flock that settled down to eat in Cascara trees.
American bison (Bison bison)
Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii)
This little fellow was unfortunately hit in front of my house. But for us, it is a good opportunity to get a closer look at him/her.
This is the top and bottom look.
Belladonna lily (Amaryllis belladonna) blooming in my front yard. There are several types similar to this flower and all go by common names such as Belladonna, naked lady, resurrection lily, and magic lily.
All these grow in the Amaryllis family but several are classified in other genus' such as Lycoris.
Those plants also follow a similar pattern of growing leaves in the rainy season, dying in the summer dry season, and flowering in the fall at the beginning of the rainy season.
I utilized the USDA web site for the best ID of this plant. www.usda.gov
wax myrtle (Morella californica)
Two pictures; the first is a closeup of the leaves and the second is the tree habit in the Redwood forest.
leathery polypody (Polypodium scouleri)
My field guide and internet searching has narrowed this plant to this polypody. If I found it on the east coast it would be a Common Polypody.
I have seen these plants in the Redwood forest living up in the trees on branches with lots of duff.
The plant pictured I found in my front yard in an overgrown section that invasive plants I removed. This was from a larger group growing on a log. It fell off, I put it in the pot with bark and mulch, hung it in a tree next to my house and I has loved it there for years now.
Redwood-sorrel (Oxalis oregana)
With white or pink flowers this is a common plant under Redwoods. Turning the leaf over reveals the reddish to dark red underside which distinguishes it from Wood Sorrel which would be just green.
This plant is edible in small quantities as an herb in salads. The Oxalic acid gives the leaves a sour taste.
Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Also known as the domestic pigeon. This bird mainly lives in cities and towns coming in a variety of colors and mottled designs as the ones pictured show.
Western wild ginger (Asarum caudatum)
A herbaceous plant that grows in along the understory of wet and shaded Redwood and evergreen forests. This one was under Redwoods.
salal (Gaultheria shallon)
Family: Ericaceae(Heath/Cranberry family)
centipedes (Class Chilopoda)
I will need to work on further identification of the species. Any help is appreciated.
I believe it is in the Order Geophilomorpha - Soil Centipedes.
I see these all the time, in the leaf litter, in rotten logs that I break apart and under items that are wet.
Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella)
California banana slug (Ariolimax californicus)
This animal has the keel down its back but has dark mottled coloring on its side. It is probably just a variation.
Found just a few steps from the other Banana slug observation.
California banana slug (Ariolimax californicus)
Banana slug of the Redwood Forest. Has the keel identifying it as subfamily Ariolimacinae.
Since this location is California, I am choosing the name California Banana slug unless anyone disagrees.
California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)
Found along side the Ensatina.
I could barely make out the 4 toes on the hind legs. There is a nice herring bone pattern down the back of the animal.
(Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis) Oregon Ensatina
Found in my backyard. Has 12 costal grooves that I can see and the constriction at the base of the tail. This guy also exudes the milky white substance on the tail. This would be an adult.
Utilized the following Herp. website:
http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/e.e.oregonensis.html
A coastal redwood tree. This tree looks deformed because it was severely infested with Cape Ivy. When I move here, I cut the vines and took them off the tree as much as I could. Only a few leaves were visible but now more growth has come back. The bulges are from the vine constrictions. It is a nice tree loved by us and the birds.
Coastal Redwood tree in front of my house. This tree is approx. 70 feet tall and is a split trunk tree, meaning it has two trunks. This is likely from being two trees that grew together to form one tree. The trunks part about 7 feet off the ground. Also the branches are all very small diameter. This is likely from previous owners trimming the branches off the tree at one point in its life. This is a common practice up here on the north coast.
