Napa has a quiet side. If you drive up the hills west of highway twenty-nine, there are quiet twisty roads going through the forest. The residential areas have street trees showing lots of fall color. The vineyards varied with some still showing a lot of color and others past peak.
As you get up into the hills the fall color star is the Big Leaf Maple. Also in color are Spice Bush, Oregon Ash, Willows, Walnut and Oaks. Toyon is showing off its bright red berries. Less colorful but interesting are the Buckeye trees which have lost their leaves and are in fruit. Also colorful were the Acorn Woodpeckers and Stellar Jays, who were out in number along with Golden-crowned Sparrows, Turkey Vultures and Ravens. Lichens hanging down from trees and covering fences provided more photographic interest.
Scenic roads were Redwood Road, Mt, Veeder Road and Dry Creek, which combined make a nice loop. If you want to see color go now as it won’t last long.
Natural History Wanderings 
Nice set of photos, Sandy. On Saturday I saw a squirrel along Sir Francis Drake with a huge buckeye nut in its mouth. I’ve seen mouse gnaw-marks on the nuts before, but the squirrel was a first for me.
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By: John Wall on November 17, 2014
at 10:38 AM