Natural History Wanderings

Once again my favorite all year round hike did not disappoint.  Flowers are still blooming and the birds were there.

Though not officially fall, many people feel summer and the wildflower season is over.  The flora at Abbotts Lagoon think otherwise.  Many flowers are in bloom.  Poppies, Yarrow, Cow Parsnip, Lotus, Tarweeds, and alien thistles are still hanging on along the trail.  Coyote bush is only starting to come into full bloom.   Goldenrod, Marsh Hedge Nettle, Candy flower, and two species of Monkey flowers are in bloom along the boardwalk/marsh area. The best flowers are in the sand and dunes: Sand Verbena, Rocket, Coast Buckwheat, Pink Aquatic Knotweed, Beach Sun Cup, Mock Heather, Dune Gum Plant, Sea-bluff Lettuce, Seaside Dandelion, Curly-leaved Monardella, and even a few Seaside Daisies and Sea Thrifts.  A few new to me are the very tiny Heliotrope (notice the penny in the photo for perspective), Alkali Heath, and Beach Knotweed.  Also appearing today were  interesting insects, a garter snake, and  birds, including Great Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, White Pelicans, and an American Kestrel.

A highlight was an American Bittern just across the lagoon before the bridge trying to blend into the foliage.  He was there when we first passed at 9:15 AM and still there three hours later when we returned.   We had seen a Bittern in almost the same place years ago on a Marin Open Spaces walk.  Ever since, we have continued to look every time we go by.   Today we finally were rewarded.    The humorous highlight was a logbird. “Look at that large bird  nesting in the sand.  Isn’t it late to be nesting?  Is it hurt?  It’s not moving? Is it dead?  No its a log”

Today’s plant list is not all-inclusive as I took neither plant lists or note pads.  If anyone knows what species the garter snake is or the unnamed insect in my photos  please let me know.

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