Natural History Wanderings

Solano Land Trust reports

Rockville Trails (2/24/15) Winds were from the North and were stiff at times, 25-30 with gusts in the high 30’s. A lot of Ranunculus blooming. In moist areas Nemophila, Collinsia sparsiflora, Micranthes, foliage of Calandrinia and Mimulus guttatus are well represented. Dichelostemma and Plagiobothrys are everywhere and Lupine are becoming more widespread. Saw new leaves on a single specimen of Viburnum ellipticum.

Jepson Prairie  (2/17/15) It has been beautiful out there but Mother Nature reminded me what spring at Jepson looks like. Winds S/W 20-25 mph, whitecaps on Olcott Playa. Added another layer and hiked Buck and South pastures. Yellow carpet is getting ready to live up to it’s name. A lot of plants growing but blooms are limited to a few species. Fritillary, Tryphysaria, Plagiobothrys, Dodecatheon, Lomatium, Minutia and a few Lasthenia.