I spent both Saturday and Sunday afternoons (2/27 & 2/28) on the Chimney Rock trail at Point Reyes National Seashore. The weather was fabulous with temperature around 60, lots of sun and light winds. I saw nearly two dozen different varieties of wildflowers including: Douglas Iris, Indian paintbrush, Wight’s paintbrush, scarlet pimpernel, checkerbloom, coast rock cress, ice plant, red maids blue-eyed grass (in profusion), California (mostly) and western (a few) buttercups, California poppies, goldfields, mule ears, tidy tips, beach strawberry, cow parsnip, field chickweed, milk maids, miner’s lettuce, pussy ears, wild cucumber, mustard and seaside daisy. For the most part, there are lots of individual plants in bloom. Goldfields are just starting to carpet a few patches on the headlands with noticeable progression even on Sunday compared to Saturday. I suspect that next weekend will be even better.
The northward migration of the gray whales is in full swing. About 40 individuals were spotted from the lighthouse overlook on Saturday while Sunday’s count was smaller. Migrating cows and calves have not yet appeared though most people expect them shortly. Traveling very close to shore, it is a treat to see them from the Point Reyes headlands. The shuttle bus service was running this weekend and I understand will probably run one more weekend so plan to park at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center and ride the bus out to the headlands on Saturday and Sunday.
submitted by Frank Field http://www.edgelightimages.com
Natural History Wanderings 
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