Natural History Wanderings

Went back to Pt. Reyes today and took the Abbott’s Lagoon Trail.  The theme was golden color.  Lots of Golden Poppies (yellow version of California Poppy Eschscholtzia californica) and  yellow Coast Fiddleneck, Amsinckia spectabilis var. spectabilis. Another highlight was a large display of Big Marsh Buttercups by the boardwalk portion of the trail.  Many other plants in bloom including Yellow Bush Lupin, Miner’s Lettuce, Salmonberry, both species of Wild Cucumber or Manroot (Marah fabacaceus and Marah oreganos), Checker Mallow, California Blackberry, Cow Parsnip, Field Chickweed, California Buttercup, Douglas Iris, and Fat Solomon Seal.

Upon reaching the bridge that crosses the lagoon there is an overlook to the left.  The trail up was partially washed away during the winter but if you take a few steps back to before the hitching post that is also on the left there is an alternate trail.  The overlook has some of the best views flowers and displays in the area including Pussy Ears (Calochortus tolmeii) lot of Goldfields, Suncups, a white version of Baby Blue eyes, Johnny Tuck, a pink Clover, a white-pink Vetch or Pea, a purple Lupine, Sun Cups, Footsteps-of-Spring, a yellow Lomatium, Popcorn, and a tiny yellow Lotus.  There is also a lot of poison oak up there as well as on the main trail.

After the overlook go back down and cross the bridge continue into the sandy area.  It was unusual today (at least for me) in that the tide was the highest I have seen at Abbott’s Lagoon and the lagoon was larger than normal and covered some areas I was used to walking through.  Plants in the sandy areas included an interesting sandy hillside dotted with Beach Strawberry, Sand Verbena, Beach Lupine, Beach Evening Primrose, Sea Rocket, a white Wallflower, and Marsh Speedwell.

On the way back to the parking lot Red Maids and Candy Stripe were now open on the mail trail.  Also present were the aliens Radish and Erodium along the trail and Ice Plant at the beach.  Rabbits, California Quail, Red-wing Blackbirds, White-crown Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Ravens, Turkey Vultures, Red Tail Hawks, unidentified Gulls, and Wrentits were all present.  Egrets and Herons though often present were absent today.

It is level easy to follow trail 1.6 miles each way from the parking lot to the bridge by the lagoon.  It is a short uphill to the overlook area, but well worth it. Add an extra half-mile each way if you want to walk to the Ocean.  If you don’t feel up for the extra mile, at least cross the bridge as a number or new plants are near by.  The visitor’s center has maps, books, plant and bird lists and is a good source of information.  If you can get here early in the day, there is often a lot of bird and rabbit activity on the trail.  Although it was sunny today, which was not ideal for plant photography, it is often foggy especially in the early morning.

Click on photos below for a larger picture.

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