My first horny toad. Incredibly cryptic animals and how we saw this one in the leaves still amazes me. Lots of native ants nearby and sandy soil. Observed around 11 AM with temperatures around 85 degrees.
Really sandy habitat with lots of fallen trees and dead wood. Observed the ants a couple hours before mid-day.
BOOOO, yellow starthislte, BOOOOOO!
Looks like I had just missed the flowers, but the seed mass is quite the sight also.
Found six ticks on me from walkin' around Tick Pond.
Thamnophis elegans terrestris
Puncture vine another non-native to California.
Horrible photo, but tasty thistle.
Found this beetle underground in a coastal strand habitat, very sandy dune, in association with California Goldenbush (Ericameria ericoides ), Coyote brush, ice plant, and Dudelya. I believe I have this beetle's genus correct, but species is an absolute guess. My field guide states that there are over 100 species in California and that most of them look very similar. To idenify the species dissection of the male sexual organs are required.
Non-native to California.
Found in small ponds near Jewel Lake in Tilden in a shaded part of the pond. Non-native to California.
Today was a rabbit filled day. Seen a bunch of brush rabbits and then this rabbit's foot grass.
