Photos / Sounds
What
Turkey-Tail (Trametes versicolor)Observer
sayersDescription
On a fall tree trunk that somewhat plunged into a ravine. Grew isolated on this section and nowhere else that I saw along the trail. White along the edges, dark golden-brown in center. Loops and fractured pieces indicate a presence for an extended period of time.
Photos / Sounds
What
Fountain Grass (Cenchrus setaceus)Observer
sayersDescription
Grass that has some stems resulting in a bushy, white-colored apparatus that is very feathery is appearance and touch. Other stems commonly appear to be growing similarly but are still very much a blade of grass with a light yellow tint.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)Observer
sayersDescription
Bush that has berry-like projections that are loosely connected to base on tip of stem. Bush is about 3-4 feet in diameter. Brown coloring showing maturity while whiter implies younger. Stems are light brown to light green.
Photos / Sounds
What
Coastal Pricklypear (Opuntia littoralis)Observer
sayersDescription
Large, easily identifiable plant that has thick leaves covered in spikes for protection. Bright, purple flowers grow on top of some leaves. Olive color are the leaves. Leaves are wide, and the number of them about 19 on the main root.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)Observer
sayersDescription
Saw a plant hanging down from a tree, as it had what appeared to be tubular petals that were light yellow. Berry-like objects grew farther up the stem that reminded me of coffee beans. Branches had casual leaves, ranging from light to dark green, in ovals or in a slight loop to the sharp tip. The plant itself has an odd smell, not of tobacco, but of a flower.
Photos / Sounds
What
Crab Spiders (Family Thomisidae)Observer
sayersDescription
Small spider, about 2 centimeters wide. Legs are long and highly noticeable. Bright yellow color, similar to the actual Goldenrod flower. Abdomen has small red dots on surface, but closer examination was difficult.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Western Crane Fly (Holorusia hespera)Observer
sayersDescription
Saw this large insect on the side of a boulder near a stream in Eaton Canyon. Wings were not stretched out, and had a large abdomen. Possibly a pregnant female. Very large, an estimated 3 inches long (including limbs).
Photos / Sounds
What
California Broad-necked Darkling Beetle (Coelocnemis dilaticollis)Observer
sayersDescription
Was walking past a lightly wooded area when I came across one of these flipped on it's back. I turned it over to find out some legs had been bitten or torn off. Read abdomen showed noticeable harm. Was possibly stepped on. Adult sized at an inch long or slightly larger. Was not able to walk efficiently and appeared lopsided. Probably died later on, being an easy meal.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)Observer
sayersDescription
In one of the surrounding pools of water near the waterfall, I had found at least two tadpoles of the Western Toad species. As I came in closer to get a better picture, one of them swam out, otherwise I would have gotten both of them in the picture for better clarity.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Bordered Plant Bug (Largus californicus)Observer
sayersDescription
Saw a yellow colored Bordered Plant Bug on a leaf at a time when flood waters had created a deep disturbance in the ground. Appeared to be almost an inch long and fully grown. Unsure if male or female.
Although I had not learned until later on, but I had also seen a nymph of the same species that day. It was uniformly black with a single red spot on it's back, about a centimeter long, walking across the gravel.
