Natural History Wanderings

Point Reyes

We headed to Pt. Reyes for the fourth week in a row.  This time the destination was McClure’s  Beach.   It is about one mile walking down hill to get to the beach.  It was windy and sunny so not the best weather for flower photography.  There were whitecaps in the ocean from when we first arrived at the Beach.  On the way home there were even whitecaps inland at Nicasio Reservoir.  Native Wildflowers seen included Yellow Bush Lupine, Yarrow, California Blackberry, California Poppy, California Figwort, Cow Parsnip, Hedge Nettle, Bush Monkeyflower, Seep Spring Monkeyflower, Seaside Daisy, Clarkia,  Morning Glory, Cream Cups, Fernleaf Phacelia, Sea Rocket, Lizard Tail, Pearly Everlasting and two interesting plantains at the beach, Coastal Largeleaf Plantain, and Pacific Seaside Plantain.  Alien flowers included Mustard, Radish, Scarlet Pimpernel and a pinkish pea or vetch.  Birds included Scrub Jay,  Song Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, Raven, California Quail, Brown Pelican and Western Gull.

Big Rock Ridge.

Flowers found in pullouts on Lucas Valley Road from Big Rock Ridge to about one mile west of Big Rock:  Red Delphinium, Stonecrop, Hedge Nettle, Paintbrush, Alum Root, California Figwort, Cow Parsnip, Clarkia, Thimbleberry, Lupine, Bush Monkeyflower, Chinese house, California Poppy, Yarrow, Linanthus, White Iris,  and Ithuriel’s Spear.

Flowers seen on the south side of the road at Big Rock Ridge (we did not  go up the fire trail) included Tarweed, Ithuriel’s Spear, Tidytips, Mule’s Ear and Yarrow.  The Tidytips had some good-sized displays.

All photos in slideshow are from McClure’s Beach except Tidytips at Big Rock Ridge. To see large high quality slide show click: Large Photo Slideshow

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