Natural History Wanderings

Jack Bower reported on some local East Bay winter blooms:

I was surprised to see a few Ceanothus blooming at Merritt College two weeks ago. Some manzanita are blooming in the Black Diamond park. And our Ribes speciosum is showing its fushia flowers in the Oakland Hills. Down the French trail in Redwood Park, the first blossums on the leatherwood are appearing.