This stuff was flowering, despite it being December. Leftovers from the crazy warm spell I guess.
Guessing this is caused by something in Andricus, but research is required. Lots of older brown ones on this valley oak too, but the green ones were spectacular.
This might be Leptosiphon liniflorus. Need to look at alternatives. Def. don't think it's Minuartia, Linum, or Limnanthes, which were my original thoughts.
Unknown lichen with crazy cilia / rhizomes. Growing on a fallen twig / branch, plenty of coast live oak and bay around.
I know the plant is toyon, but does anyone recognize the leaf condition it seems to have? Frankly all the lower elevation toyon looked kind of hardset on Mt. Diablo. Maybe they're stressed out by the lack of winter water?
Unknown carrion. I can't even tell if they're cetaceans or elephant seals or what.
Squirrels around Flagstaff have big ears and white puffy tails. Thanks for the reminder and the ID, Anita!
Scott Creek has so many wonderful hydroids. Hydroids are diverse, beautiful, and goddamn tiny, making it very hard to capture that beauty and diversity. These Abietinaria are pretty big, but to actually see the structure of the hydrothecae or the hydranths, you need to get a lot closer.
Quite a beauty, and I think it's the first time I've seen it! This also marks one of the first times I've actually paid attention to background colors while taking the picture. Noticed the blue tint in the leaves, and thought, "I want that!" Need to do this more.
ID based on the fact that it's the only Calflora species for Fresno county and the handout they gave us on this trip. The Jepson key distinguishes this by its fruit.
aka the Crown-of-Thorns, very dangerous to the coral.
First time seeing this fine slug. Found it in the sand while swimming back to the pipe, sitting on a moon snail egg collar. I love the white speckling on the notum, just like A. lutea!
Been a while since I've seen this little slug. Always a pleasure.
I would like to believe this slug is rearing up in preparation for a fearsome, if slow, attack upon my person.
Another "first in a while." One of my favorite slugs.
