April 22 Burke Gilman Trail

I walked along the Burke Gilman trail directly adjacent to the IMA and the soccer and baseball fields. It was an extremely warm day around 70 degrees with minimal cloud cover. I observed numerous plant species and because we are now in the Spring season, I was particularly interested in all of the various flowering plants along the path. Many of the flowering plants I observed were bright blue or purple and I found that I had trouble identifying them. I late learned that many of these flowering plants were horticultural plants that were non-native to the area, which would explain the difficulty I had identifying them.
I was also particularly interested in observing the various moss and lichen species that were still apparent on tree trunks and cement barriers along the path. I was interested in observing moss and lichen species because I have only previously observed these species in extremely damp environments and I was curious to see how these species change in a climate that is drier. I felt what I believe to be a lichen and moss specimen and they felt extremely dry and rough. Their color was either dark brown or a dark olive green and both specimens were showing signs of an extreme lack of moisture. Both felt like carpet almost and had a rough crunchy feel to them. It is interesting to me how much moisture changes the color and composition of lichens and mosses.
I was also able to observe some bird species, I saw numerous small brown birds which could either be Brown Creepers or Sparrows. I have not been able to effectively identify the bird that I was able to photograph, but I am working and researching to accomplish that. I found that observing birds is particularly difficult because of the rate at which they migrate from tree to tree. It is difficult to get close enough to record necessary details to make identification, but I am certain this will improve with practice.
I observed one shrub in particular that was extremely interesting to me. I am not sure if it is a native species because I have never seen it before but it had oval shaped leathery green leaves and clustered deep purple flowers. There were bees pollenating these shrubs and I could observe the bright yellow pollen located on the tip of the flower clusters being transfered from the petals to the legs of the bee. The pollen appeared to just multiply on the legs of the bee and will undoubtedly be carried with the bee wherever it may travel.
I also was able to observe some ferns, I was able to see Sword ferns as well as Bracken. I had never observed Bracken before and it was interesting to see how each out-growing leaf on the fern seemed to be composed of several other leaves, this is evidenced in the photo I was able to capture.
I have not completed my identification of the species I observed on this outing but I will add an updated species list to this journal entry when I am able to do so.
Species List:
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
Horsetails (Genus Equisetum)

Red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

Posted on April 24, 2012 06:12 PM by laurars13 laurars13

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Great Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 12:08 PM PDT

Description

Some sort of shrub with a thick stem and needles coming out from the center forming a cone-like shape. There are brown rings around the stem where the needles grow out. The color of the stem as well as the needless is the same light green

Photos / Sounds

What

Santa Barbara Ceanothus (Ceanothus impressus)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 12:21 PM PDT

Description

Purple flowering bush or shrub. Purple flowed with small bulb-like petals growing in clusters. There are currently bees pollinating the plant. The flowers have black pistils I believe with yellow pollen on the ends

Photos / Sounds

What

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 12:38 PM PDT

Description

A light green shrub...appears fern-like with alternating stems. Stems have symmetrical leaves with ridges. Soft to the touch.

Photos / Sounds

What

Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 12:44 PM PDT

Description

Some sort of plant with large green leaves. There are small wholes all over the leaves and there are also brown and red markings on the leaves. The plant is surrounded by grasses and each leaf appears to grow in isolation as each stem has its own leaf.

Photos / Sounds

What

European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 12:52 PM PDT

Description

Looks similar to holly or Oregon grape, but this plant has leaves with extremely spiky edges. The spikes are a pale Ellie while the leaves are a dull green. The leaves vary in size.

Photos / Sounds

What

Perching Birds (Order Passeriformes)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:01 PM PDT

Description

A small brown bird it is difficult to identify, but I would guess it is most likely a song bird of some sort. It kept flying back and forth between the tree pictured in the image I captured.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:05 PM PDT

Description

Some type of lichen... Light green and is dry so it feels similar to carpet

Photos / Sounds

What

Joint-toothed Mosses (Class Bryopsida)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:07 PM PDT

Description

Some sort of dark brown moss or lichen with stems coming out of it similar to those stamen in flowering plants. The tips of these stamen-like growths are orange with a different consistency.

Photos / Sounds

What

Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:17 PM PDT

Description

Has a square stem and is within a 15cm height range. The leaves are opposite and and flowers are purple. These flowers have variance in it's shape between the upper and lower sections of the flower.

Photos / Sounds

What

Forget-Me-Nots (Genus Myosotis)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:25 PM PDT

Description

The stem of this plant has small spikes on it and it's leaves are narrow and have the same spikes. The leaves grow in a conic shape and are oval-shaped with a sharp tip. The flowers are small and a bright blue with white and yellow centers. Some of the flowers are purple but most are a bright blue. Each flower has five round petals.

Photos / Sounds

What

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:35 PM PDT

Description

Bright purple flowering plant with a furry feeling stem. The flower has five round petals with a bright red stamen. The leaves are round and kind of clover- like.

Photos / Sounds

What

Annual Honesty (Lunaria annua)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:38 PM PDT

Description

Purple flowering plant with a yellow center. Each flower has four petals with white centers. The flowers grow in clusters of between 10-15. The leaves are tear-drop shaped with large ridged edges. The stalk is large and a pale green. The branches as well as the stalk have small hair-like growths coming out of them.

Photos / Sounds

What

Hybrid Bluebell (Hyacinthoides × massartiana)

Observer

laurars13

Date

April 22, 2012 01:45 PM PDT

Description

Small deep blue flowering plants that appear to droop and have six petals to each flower. The flower appeared to be most similar to the Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), but I am unsure. I will tentatively identify this flower as Harebell simply because of the similar flower shape and stem structure.

Comments

No comments yet.

Add a Comment

Sign In or Sign Up to add comments