How to Participate:
Your contributions, comments, additions, and corrections are most welcome. Tell us where you have been and what you have seen. Please use the comments box below for submissions. Most submissions have been moved as postings to the main page.
Nice blog & great photos!! I have added Natural History Wanderings to the California Hiking Trails Directory. Please link to the directory on your blog.
By: brthomas on March 24, 2010
at 8:48 AM
Hi there, I will hopefully have a post after this weekend, but I wanted to take a moment to express a concern. I noticed today that the long standing and very helpful wildflower report on Carol Leigh’s Calphoto website has been discontinued due to her wish to not negatively impact wildflower bloom areas. Apparently there have been numerous reports of people trespassing on private property, trampling through wildflower fields etc. This behavior has been spotted in photographers and flower peepers alike. I hope everyone keeps in mind how lucky we are to be able to visit many of these beautiful areas in California and that you will all take care to leave those spaces, and the wildflowers within them, as you found them. Thanks
By: alasdair mccondochie on March 31, 2010
at 8:22 AM
Eastern Sierra: Too windy Here too, (rain, TS predicted for high country), so turned around from Tioga Pass toward Yosemite and went to calm
Old marina at Mono lake (can’t vouch for water, boats warned off) and stood right next to hundreds of Wilson’s Phalaropes. The nesting gulls from 6 weeks ago are gone, from here at least. Going to try wonderful high trail next to Minaret Summit today-let you know.
By: Judy Keene on August 29, 2010
at 2:16 PM
Hi, Sandy. Check out this blizzard time-lapse video: http://vimeo.com/18213768
By: John Wall on December 27, 2010
at 3:34 PM
Because we carefully monitor the French Trail in Redwood Reg. Park,
we’re pleased to report 5 blossoms on the Leatherwood bushes
below the West Ridge.
By: jack on January 10, 2011
at 8:51 PM
I would like to post the Monterey Bay Birding Festival on your birding festival link.
Please advise what I need to do. Our seventh annual event is Sept. 22-25, 2011.
Thanks
Dave Brockmann
Festival Coordinator
Monterey Bay Birding Festival
831 566-4293
By: Dave Brockmann on January 29, 2011
at 10:09 AM
I was planning to post information about a month before the festival. If you prefer I can post it earlier.
By: Sandy Steinman on January 29, 2011
at 6:53 PM
Hiked the Hazelnut Trail in San Pedro Valley County Park this morning. Still well before prime, but the early-season flowers are well represented: tons of manzanita (of course); trillium; hounds tongue; milk maids; red currant; less blackberry in bloom than I expected, but there was some. Huckleberry not quite there yet.
The real prize was the Fetid Adder’s Tongue (my primary goal in doing this trail)–lots of it in the upper portion of the eastern switchbacks. Best way to spot it is the leaves, which are much larger than the flower; look for basal leaves in a sort of inverted cone configuration.
–Tom Hilton
By: William H. Brewer on February 12, 2011
at 1:20 PM
[...] Submitting Your Wanderings [...]
By: Natural History Wanderings Is One Year Old Today « Natural History Wanderings on February 13, 2011
at 7:04 AM
Interesting opportunity for public input on coming changes to the National Wildlife Refuge system: http://americaswildlife.org/
By: John Wall on February 24, 2011
at 1:55 PM
Wind Wolves, March 12-13: as last week’s report suggested, there’s no spectacular show at this point (a few nice swatches of goldfields on the mountainsides, but that’s about it). There are plenty of wildflowers if you look for them, though. Along the spring wildflower trail there were a fair number of fiddlenecks, popcorn flower, and blue dicks; up the San Emigdio Canyon Trail, I saw goldfields, phacelia, lupines, birdseye gilia, bladderpod, and owl’s clover. Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=wind%20wolves&w=54259492%40N00
–Tom Hilton
By: William H. Brewer on March 14, 2011
at 9:03 AM
I was at the Jepson Prairie Reserve last weekend (3/12) and the flowers are just starting. Not the big showy displays around the pools yet, but a lot of interesting finds. This was the first weekend of the docent tours.
See my pictures on my visit at http://wildflowers.russellramblings.com/2011/03/jepson-prairie-wildflower-hike/
By: Charlie Russell on March 19, 2011
at 12:46 PM
Thanks for your submission. I have added it on the main page.
By: Sandy Steinman on March 19, 2011
at 2:49 PM
Thanks, Sandy! I love your blog, keep up the good work. I hope to get to some of the places you are talking about (I’ve been to some, but not all) if the weather ever dries out. I was supposed to be up at Table Mountain today, but my wife and I decided we couldn’t handle the wind, rain and cold.
By: Charlie Russell on March 19, 2011
at 3:56 PM
I took my niece to Joshua Tree National Park last weekend for a “secret” hike to Carey’s Castle. The hike did not require admission to the park. The trailhead begins just past Chiriaco Summit and wanders into park territory. The trek was a little more strenuous than we anticipated, but completely worth the effort. The trail is unmarked and it’s easy to get turned around or head up the wrong canyon. Lots of sand and several large boulder hops left us tired. The Castle itself is a walled-in cave formed by large boulders. Many of Carey’s artifacts (a pipe, springs, egg beater, bed) are still in the Castle. Be sure to carry along plenty of water or Gatorade. I’ve posted pictures including a BLM map with the trail highlighted.
By: MaryAnn Doherty on March 31, 2011
at 11:51 AM
Went up to El Portal along the Merced River Canyon on Apr.12. The redbud near el portal are now in full swing. Many are close to the road, but there are a few juxtaposed a bit closer to the water. Still no sign of poppies on surrounding hills. The river is high, but bound to get higher as the melt off starts in earnest. Highway 140 east of Merced has some nice patches of cream cups and what look to be a few vernal pools with nice rings of flowers. Pull-off spots can be a bit tricky and cars zoom along this section, so use care if trying to stop and flower peep.
Also went through the green hills east of Oakdale, along hwy. 120. Again, cream cups and buttercups steal the show with wide swaths in some areas. Enjoy.
By: alasdair on April 17, 2011
at 11:23 AM
Thanks for your submission. Its a great area to photograph this time of year. I added it to the main page of Natural History Wanderings.
By: Sandy Steinman on April 18, 2011
at 10:33 AM
On April 17 my wife and I visited Pt. Reyes National Seashore (based on your recommendations). Chimney Rock has a WONDERFUL bloom, may different species, and very easy access. Abbott’s Lagoon was great, too, although the best flowers were on the headland to the south of the lagoon, where the trail branches and goes up the hill. Wonderful flowers, great view.
By: Charlie Russell on April 18, 2011
at 9:27 AM
Glad you liked it. Chimney Rock is probably the best can’t miss bet for great flowers right now including Calochortus Tolmei. Abbott’s Lagoon is usually interesting all year. Glad you got up on the headland too. I copied your report onto the main page of Natural History Wanderings.
By: Sandy Steinman on April 18, 2011
at 10:31 AM
We visited the South Yuba River State Park on April 30th. The Buttermilk Bend trail has a wonderful selection of wildflowers. I identified over 50 species, and it is a very easy hike. Lots of Fairy Lantern (Calochortus albus). The docents have many of the flowers marked so that you can easily identify them. VERY nice hike. We also went to the Independence Trail. That isn’t as showy, but it is a much cooler hike (and perfectly level). I was surprised by the abundance of Yellow Star Tulip (Calochortus monophyllus)
By: Charlie Russell on May 2, 2011
at 8:29 AM
Thanks for your wildflower report. I have re-posted it on the main page.
By: Sandy Steinman on May 2, 2011
at 4:37 PM
Went to Ring Mountain Saturday and Mt. Diablo Sunday.
No Calochortus tiburonensis blooming yet (it was a longshot, with the late spring we’ve had), but there’s plenty to see at Ring Mountain. Lots of Tidytips, Tarweed, and Ithuriel’s Spear. Pitted Onion is at its peak, whole fields of it up in the serpentine barrens. Here’s a list of what I saw in bloom (link to photos at the end):
Allium lacunosum var. lacunosum
Allium unifolium
Castilleja affinis ssp. neglecta (CNPS 1.b.2)
Castilleja rubicundula
Collinsia heterophylla
Delphinium hesperium
Dichelostemma sp.
Eriogonum nudum
Hemizonia sp.
Hesperolinon congestum (CNPS 1.b.1)
Layia platyglossa
Phacelia sp.
Silene californica
Sisyrinchium bellum
Thermopsis sp.
Triteleia hyacinthina
Triteleia laxa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomhilton/archives/date-taken/2011/05/21/
At Mt. Diablo, we did the Mitchell Canyon/Eagle Peak loop, and the flowers were outstanding. Clarkia all over the place; lots of Yerba Santa, Chinese Houses, Ithuriel’s Spear, Wind Poppies, Serrated Onion, and so on. The Chamise is just starting to bloom; Buckeyes are at peak. What I saw in bloom:
Allium serra
Allium unifolium
Calochortus pulchellus (CNPS 1.b.2)
Calochortus venustus
Castilleja sp.
Chorizanthe membranacea
Clarkia sp.
Clematis sp.
Collinsia heterophylla
Delphinium nudicaule
Delphinium sp. (blue)
Dichelostemma sp.
Dudleya cymosa
Eriodictyon californicum
Gilia tricolor
Lathyrus vestitus
Linanthus bicolor
Lotus scoparius
Minuartia douglasii
Phacelia sp.
Ptelea crenulata
Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea
Sedum spathulifolium
Sisyrinchium bellum
Stylomecon heterophylla
Triteleia laxa
Wyethia sp.
Zigadenus fremontii
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomhilton/archives/date-taken/2011/05/22/
By: William H. Brewer on May 23, 2011
at 1:47 PM
Thanks for the great reports. I have posted both of them on the main page of Natural History Wandnerings.
By: Sandy Steinman on May 23, 2011
at 4:38 PM
We walked the Buttermilk Bend Trail of South Yuba River State Park. Although they warned us that the spring flower bloom was past it’s peak, we found the walk very satisfying. Still blooming, we found about 50% of the flowers featured in their helpful $5.00 brochure. Our favorites were the Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) which lived up to it’s elegant name, Canyon Dudleya (Dudleya cymosa) which seemed to be on fire. the Elegant Brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans) which seemed to be at their prime, and the Monkey Flower Bush (Mimulus aurantiacus) which were full of blooms. We found about 30 species in all from the ubiquitous Winter Vetch to a few hiding Chinese Houses, from the tiny Canyon Nemophilia to the huge Buckeye.
The next day we visited Malakoff Diggins State Park just outside of Nevada City. Following the beautiful Humbug Trail we found a few stars still blooming. The most abundant was the Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra formosa), Indian Pink (Silene californica), Alumroot (Heuchera rubescens), and Stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum).
Unfortunately, we received the bad news that both of these parks are scheduled to be closed due to lack of funding. Glad we were able to visit while they are open.
If you would like to see photos: http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k152/rbotto/Yuba%20River/
By: Rick on June 1, 2011
at 12:57 PM
Thanks for the reports. I have reposted them on the main page.
By: Sandy Steinman on June 1, 2011
at 1:54 PM
Hi Sandy, Great blog and resource. I came across it because YourGardenShow is helping attract people to Prof. LeBuhn’s Bee Count – among other citizen science initiatives (http://www.yourgardenshow.com/citizen-science). We have been urging our community to speak up about the National Park funding too. Keep up the good work and if there is any collaboration we can create, I am all ears.
Lisa Finerty
Outreach Director
Your Garden Show
Twitter: yourgardenshow
Like on Facebook
http://www.YourGardenShow.com
Linkedin
San Francisco
415-738-2476
By: lisa finerty on June 8, 2011
at 11:28 PM
the photos are great, I spend my weekends with a camera in hand and a backpack on my back taking photos of eye candy>
By: Joe Estrada Jr on February 8, 2012
at 2:28 PM
Hi Sandy,
I’ve been following your blog for a year or so. You do a great job! It’s an excellent resource, and I’ve used it several times in planning wild-flowering trips.
Below is an email response from DFG regarding a proposed trail at North Table Mountain, in Oroville. Not living in Butte Co., I had no idea this was under consideration. I’m hoping to increase the public’s scrutiny of this project by getting the word out to the CA Native Plant Society, and to you, if you chose to post it. Thanks!
“The pink markings/tufts are for establishing an approximate zone for a prospective all person’s, road tread trail. This zone allows researchers to do appropriate surveys, as required under CA Envir. Quality Act to assess whether the plan is viable as is, needs revision, or cannot advance.
CEQA work is starting this week. We held public scoping meetings in Butte Co. in November and received good support to advance this next phase. We are not using general state funds (tax dollars) for this.
We are proposing a trail to reduce ecological damage and safety issues on south side of Phantom Falls, redirecting visitors to a better and safer view of the same views.
We also are leading public tours via online reservations Saturdays March 3 through April 28.
Thanks for your interest and info on newts. We’ve included the newt and many other wildlife and plant species on new panels that we’ll showcase on weekends at entrance. We hope to put them in ground when and if a trail is finally approved and construction funds are secured.
I’m at 916 358 2353 if you’d like to discuss next week or later.
Bruce Forman ”
—–Original Message—–
From: R2 Info R2 Info
To: Forman, Bruce
Sent: 2/23/2012 11:32:03 AM
Subject: Fwd: North Table Mountain, Oroville
Please CC this account with your reply.
Thank You
>>> firebellyfarm 2/23/2012 10:42 AM >>>
Hi folks,
On a visit to NTM last week, we noticed a line of pink paint splotches and pink plastic “tufts” along the rise above the east-west creek drainage, and at the extreme edge of the vernal pool area, on the north side. Is this a proposed fenceline? Hiking trail?? To keep cows or people in or out of some area???
The newt population in the streams was excellent. They seem to like the lower water flow this winter, compared to the last two. Perhaps the water is a bit warmer, or perhaps the fact that it is less turbulent is better, as far as they are concerned.
Thanks,
K. Dowdakin
By: Kathi Dowdakin on February 24, 2012
at 12:04 AM
Kathi,
Thanks for your comment. Butte County is part of the Mount Lassen CNPS Chapter. I noticed that when I went to the chapter site the conservation chair was WOODY ELLIOTT conservationchair@mountlassen.cnps.org
He might be a good starting point to share this with.
Sandy
By: Sandy Steinman on February 24, 2012
at 12:14 AM