Natural History Wanderings

This afternoon I went botanizing and birding at Yuba Pass in the Northern Sierra Nevada first by myself and then with Golden Gate Audubon.

Although the meadow at Yuba Pass is dry for this time of the year there are large displays of Meadow Penstemon. There were also good numbers of Paintbrush, Elephant’s Head, Jeffrey’s Shooting Stars, Large-leaf Lupine, Yarrow, Bistort, Yampah, Primrose Monkeyflower, two species of Ceanothus (Mt. Whitethorn and Tobacco Bush), and Sticky Cinquefoil. Also seen were Camus (just finishing up), Slender Penstemon, Small Larkspur, Stickweed, Low Polemonium, a Phacelia, an Elderberry, Seep Spring Monkeyflower, Red Columbine, Buttercup, Purple Aster, Single-stemmed Cinquefoil, Checker Mallow and Snow Plants.

Highlights of birding at Yuba Pass were White-headed Woodpecker, Lazuli Bunting, Wilson’s Warbler and Western Tanager. See full list at: Yuba Pass Bird List 6/12/14

After dinner the Golden Gate Audubon Group went out to Marble Hot Springs Road where we heard Bitterns, Snipe, and Sandhill Cranes. We also had great views of Common Nighthawks flighting overhead. See complete list of birds seen and heard at: Sierra Valley Nightime Bird List 6/12/14.  Also seen were a pronghorn and coyote.

Lists are limited to only what I saw or heard. I am sure other group members saw more species, especially birds.

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