Natural History Wanderings

Its Spring at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park

I went to the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (Berkeley, CA)  yesterday as I heard there were Trillium, and Fritillaries, in bloom. Flowers in bloom included two species of Fritillary, including the rare Adobe Lily, normally seen at Bear Valley, a Fawn Lily,  Trillium,  Shooting Stars, Star Zigadene, Wall Flower, California Poppy, Pipevine, a few species of Ribes,  Ceanothus, Canyon Live-forever, Manzanitas and the rare all yellow Meadowfoam seen at Pt. Reyes.  It was especially a treat to photograph an Adobe Lily up close as they were in bloom at the edge of raised bed as opposed to behind a fence a Bear Valley. Although my emphasis was flower photography today birds were active in the garden. I saw and/or heard Stellar’s Jay, Common Raven, Black Phoebe, Spotted Towhee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Bushtit, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco.

I had a brief photographic meltdown when my camera seemed possessed and had decided to take photos on its own and was not respon.ding to my attempts to control it.  I finally realized the cause was somehow the remote had gotten locked in an “on” position. (I wonder who did that?) Another tip I can share when my camera has not responded correctly has been to make sure the lens is attached properly. I have experienced my readings being all screwy or non-existent only to discover the lens was not fully locked in the correct position. (a dangerous situation as well; at least for the lens)

If the dry weather continues, which is what the current forecasts say, some of this year’s best flower viewing may well be in the Botanic Gardens.  Here are some photos from today.

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• Regional Parks Botanic Garden Winter-Spring Classes 2012 (naturalhistorywanderings.com)