Natural History Wanderings

Skyline Serpentine Prairie is located in Redwood Regional Park.  It is a restoration and protected area.  The management of the area includes prescribed burns and the weeding out of invasive species. Serpentine is the official California state rock.  Serpentine areas are not supportive of many alien species creating an area that are supportive of native wildflowers and grasses.  The prairie is protected by fence but can be easily viewed and photographed from the surrounding paths.

There is a large bloom of Goldfields and California Poppies.  Also in flower  are Blue-eyed Grass, a Catchfly, Purple Sanicle, Yellow Lomatium, Yarrow, a purple pea or vetch, Owl’s Clover, Yellow Lotus, a tiny white Lewisia (?), Cow Clover, Blue Dicks, Poison Oak and Clarkia foliage.  Also identified were a Western Bluebird and Buckeye butterfly. March to May is the best time to visit. 

For more information about the Skyline Serpentine Prairie, you can read this article by Stephen W. Edwards, Ph.D. the director of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden:  http://www.ebparks.org/files/message_from_steve_edwards.pdf

Below are some photos taken in harsh midday sun.

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