Natural History Wanderings

Report and photos submitted by Pierre Stephens

North Table Mountain

Nice variety of flowers on the Many Waterfall loop (good map at http://chicohiking.org/ValleyFoothill/Many-Waterfalls.htm). Very soggy ground, all waterfalls are running (photo of Beatson Falls). Not as many big fields of flowers and more grass than some years, but different species in bloom on the plateau, vernal pools, and ravines. Largest displays of goldfields, layia, gilia, and mimulus were on southern section of tableland between Coon and Ranch Falls (photo). Some nice Calochortus Alba in the ravine SW of Phantom Falls. Some flowers, like lupines, have both fresh flowers and well-developed seeds from earlier flowering. With the continued wet weather I’d expect the flowers and falls will continue at least through April.