Natural History Wanderings

Oakland Star Tulip/Calochortus umbellatus

Today we went to Ring Mt. with the goal of seeing Oakland Star Tulip/Calochortus umbellatus. We have a goal of seeing as many species of Calochortus in the Bay Area and somewhat beyond this year.It is still early at Ring Mt. and there are no displays but a number of flowers were in bloom. Most abundant was Milkmaids. My favorites were the Oakland Star Tulip, Douglas Iris and Shooting Stars

Douglas Iris/Iris douglasiana

Flowers in bloom includes

Oakland Star Tulip/Calochortus umbellatus
Douglas Iris/Iris douglasiana
Shooting Star/Primula hendersonii
Pacific Sanicle or Snakeroot/Sanicula crassicaulis
California Buttercup/Ranunculus californicus
Milkmaids/Cardamine californica
Manroot/Marah fabacea
Oso Berry/Omeemleria cerasiformis
Bay Tree/Laurus nobilis

Shooting Star/Primula hendersonii

There is also plenty of Poison Oak so be aware of where you walk and what you touch.

Poison Oak/Toxicodendron diversilobum

There was also a fair amount to bird activity on Ring Mt. I also briefly checked out Triangle Marsh across the road for a few minutes. Click Read more to see bird lists

Ring Mountain OSP, Marin, California, US
Mar 3, 2017 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments:     Ring Mt.
18 species (+1 other taxa)

Red-tailed Hawk  1
gull sp.  1
Mourning Dove  1
Anna’s Hummingbird  3
Black Phoebe  1
Hutton’s Vireo  1
California Scrub-Jay  3
American Crow  1
Common Raven  1
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  1
Oak Titmouse  1
Bushtit  X
Northern Mockingbird  1
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Golden-crowned Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  1
California Towhee  2
House Finch  4
Lesser Goldfinch  1

Triangle Marsh, Corte Madera (MAS Reserve), Marin, California, US
Mar 3, 2017 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
7 species

Gadwall  X
American Wigeon  X
Scaup sp.  X
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
American Coot  1
Willet  X