Natural History Wanderings

To see a more detailed report go to:  Northern Sierra Nevada Birding and Wildflower Report

I recently did a birding trip to the Yuba Pass area and Sierra Valley for a four-day birding trip between June 9 to 12, 2011.  There was snow at 6000 feet and above.  There are some flowers beginning to bloom at lower elevations.  The two best places for flowers were Sagehen Creek and Carmen Valley.  The best birding was in Sierra Valley in the marshy areas.  I will post pictures and a more detailed report at a later date but here is some of what I saw including birding lists and more flower information.

Yuba Pass Campground by Sandy Steinman

Before meeting the group I stopped at Sagehen Creek which is about 7 and a half miles north of Truckee on Highway 89. Like much of the rest of California the flowers seem to be late.  There was still snow in patches and the boggy areas were very wet.  The highlight plants were Woolen Breeches (Hydrophyllum capitatum var. alpinum), Western Peony, and Marsh Marigold.   Click read more to see Carmen Valley Flower List

Carmen Valley Flowers:

Western Buttercup
California Hespirochiron
Quamash Camas Lily
Bistort
Nuttall’s Larkspur
Long Stalked Clover
Spreading Phlox
Snow Plant
Mahala Mat
Mules Ear
Pussy Paws
Single Stemmed Groundsel
Blue-eyed Mary
Woolen Breeches
Western Peony
Pine Violet
a tiny Silene
Wooly Mule Ears
MacClosky’ Violet (white)
Lupine sp.
Dog Violet (blue)