Photos / Sounds
What
Genus StereumObserver
maevehollandDescription
Found on a dead trunk in the forest. It resembles turkey tail but the colors are different.
Photos / Sounds
What
Meshweavers and Allies (Zoosubsection Marronoid)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found near dried creek. Web nearby sheet like and very dense. About 1 cm in size. ID from Laws field Guide to the Sierra Nevada.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found in a dried creek. Leave opposite from each other. There were sections of the plant that diverged from the main stalk and crept away like a vine.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found on tree. There were no other lizards spotted nearby. The lizard was about 6 in long with tail. There was a slightly darker spot on the tip of its head. There was also a darker stripe down the side. Id based off of previous iNat observations.
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Valley Gumweed (Grindelia camporum)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found in very sunny, dry area, growing in a cluster. The heads were thistle like with yellow petals . Some had lost their petals and left a green spiky bulb underneath. The leaves were stiff and grew all along the stems. The plant was about 1 ft tall.
Photos / Sounds
What
Formicine Ants (Subfamily Formicinae)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Two ants found under rock, guarding eggs. Smaller than 1 cm with a golden brown thorax and dark brown or black abdomen and head. The thorax had light striping. The abdomen was longer than the head and thorax. ID from Ants of Pepperwood Preserve.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)Observer
maevehollandDescription
The flowers at the top appear to be dried by the sun. Found near base of oak in serpentine chaparral area with very dry soil. The leaves were fernlike in nature with many smaller leaves attached. Other similar sprouts found nearby but with no flower stem growing from top. Flower head about 1 in long. ID from WIldflowers of California's North Coast Range by Reny Parker
Photos / Sounds
What
Pacific Newts (Genus Taricha)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found in shallow edge of pond. Appears to be in its aquatic larva stage. It is green with mottled dark stripes down its back. Approx. 3-4 cm long. ID from Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Forest Scorpion (Uroctonus mordax)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found beneath log, buried slightly under dirt. Approximately 2.5 cm long. Did not move when poked and allowed itself to be dug up slightly. Dark colors, brown to black. No others spotted nearby.
Photos / Sounds
What
Turkey-Tail (Trametes versicolor)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Fungus found growing on a section of dead tree. It grew in layers. The fungus had stripes of browns and white along the top with a solid white underside. Each section was approximately 8 cm.
Photos / Sounds
What
Rosilla (Helenium puberulum)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Plant found near creek, growing under an oak tree but the flowers and most of the plant stretched to the sun. The head of the flower seemed to be missing the petals and more nearby had similar losses. The stalks ended in yellow sphere like heads. More plants also grew along creek bed. The head of the flower was about 1 in. Needs ID
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Spider has yellow and black markings on its abdomen and is approximately 3 cm. Web found over creek. At least four more found nearby. Web made circular pattern, with a zigzag under the spider. ID from Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Water Bugs (Family Belostomatidae)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Small spike like things protruding from abdomen. Mostly brown with wings that appear to cross on abdomen. Grasping forelegs in front. Had a long, more pointed abdomen. ID from "The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada" by John Muir Laws.
Photos / Sounds
What
Typical Spiders (Suborder Araneomorphae)Observer
maevehollandDescription
I think the white section on the abdomen is an egg sack. It was found in a pond, traveling between blades of grass in the water by gliding across the surface. The body was black and I did not see any other similar spiders or a web nearby.
Photos / Sounds
What
European Mantis (Mantis religiosa)Observer
maevehollandDescription
The insect was found near a pond in a grassy area. It blended very well with the grass around it and was mostly white with black spots on the insides of forelegs. There were no others found nearby. Approx. 2 in. ID from "Field Guide to Insects of North America" by Kenn Kaufman.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)Observer
maevehollandDescription
Found near edge of road, not many trees nearby. Many branches peeling. The leaves are large and waxy, some spots missing or browning
*Source for ID is "The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada"
