Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 28, 2018

May 5 Is Global Big Day

It’s that time of year again! Global Big Day is less than two months away. Your contributions to the past three Global Big Days have set back-to-back-to-back world records for the most bird species seen in a single day. Thank you.

Last year’s Global Big Day featured more than 20000 people across 162 countries, collectively reporting 6637 species of birds—more than 60% of the world’s bird diversity. This May, you can be a part of the fun again. All you have to do is spend a few minutes birding, and eBird what you find.

Here are three quick ways to have the most fun:

  1. “Scout” your birding spots for 5 May. Finding where the birds are ahead of time makes the big day birding more fun, and also gives you more chances to be out enjoying birds. Perfect. Learn how to use eBird to find birds. 
  2. Use eBird Mobile. eBird’s free data-entry app takes the time out of data entry, with tools like Quick Entry that mean you have less time with your face in a notebook and more time birding. Try eBird Mobile.
  3. Get a friend involved. Perhaps this is a good birding buddy, or someone who has never been birding before. Make it a friendly competition, or join forces as a Global Big Day team, and put your marker on the global participation map. Share on social media using #GlobalBigDay. Check out the Facebook event.

No matter what you do, have a great time, enjoy the birds around you, and let us know what you find! We’re excited to see what we can achieve together on Global Big Day.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2018

Oregon Wildflowers 4/27/2018

Oregon Wildflowers  has just posted a new weekly summary

Bald Butte, Mount Hood National Forest (4/23)
Robin Howard Clark reports that the wildflowers have started blooming at Bald Butte. Varieties include Western spring beauty (Claytonia lanceolata), Great Hound`s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande), Fairyslipper (Calypso bulbosa), Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), Naked broomrape (Orobanche uniflora), Glacier Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum), Oaks Toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii var. nuttallii), and Paintbrush (Castilleja sp.). Please see her photos in the Facebook group.

Camassia Natural Area, West Linn (4/23 – 4/26)
Many group members have visited Camassia and posted wonderful photographs. Here are a few of them: Link 1  Link 2  Link 3 . If you are interested in visiting Camassia this season, you should try to visit as soon as possible.

Cape Horn, Columbia River Gorge (4/26)
Jeanne-Marie Duval Pierrelouis reports that wildflowers have begun to bloom at Cape Horn, including Poison Larkspur (Delphinium trolliifolium), Candyflower, Fringecup, Wild Ginger, Pacific bleeding hearts, and Snow Queen. I expect another week or two before peak, especially the larkspur. Please see her photos in the Facebook group.

Cathedral Hills County Park, Grants Pass (4/23 – 4/26)
Brandon Corder reports that many varieties are in bloom at Cathedral Hills Parkin Grants Pass, primarily along the `Outback` loop. Please see his photos in the Oregon Native Plants group.

Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge (4/26)
Everything is still going strong at this location, as evidenced by Karl Peterson’s photos in the Facebook group. Additionally, the bitterroot started to bloom last weekend with many more on the way.

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2018

Southern California Wildflower Summary 4/20/18

Theodore Payne  has a new weekly report. To see photos go to http://theodorepayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4-27-WHR-text-1.pdf

There are many new exciting places to visit this week, so make sure to set aside some time this weekend to get out and enjoy the bloom.

I must begin by telling you about a truly imaginative wildflower display that is in full bloom now at the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden in Oak Glen Preserve at the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. It is called The Artist’s PaletteGarden. Here’s how the Garden was created. They took an actual photograph of theFrench Impressionist painter, Claude Monet’s paint palette, digitally draped the photo over an aerial photograph of the six-acre hillside, separated the botanist’s palette of 24 native wildflowers by color and, using the tree islands in the Garden for reference, painted lines on the ground and sowed the seeds by color patches to re-create Monet’s paint palette on six acres with wildflowers! It is a must-see display and a special venue for this Wildlands Conservancy Preserve.

A friend calls this next trip wildflower nirvana! I believe him. And by the way, I’vementioned 9 Mile Canyon for the last few weeks, so it should be a definite destination. For wildflower seekers ready for a weekend adventure, head up to the Mojave high desert of Inyo County! It will be well worth your driving time! You can find yourself in the midst of fields of flowers reminiscent of last year’s super bloom! You just have to know where to look and get out of your car!

Read More…

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2018

Blake Garden Photos 4/27/18

Today I went to Blake Garden to for flower photography. Much is in bloom and there is much to photograph.

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Blake Garden is in Kensington and is relatively unknown as it is only open to the public on weekdays. To learn more about Blake Garden read my posting A Secret Garden – Blake

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2018

Antelope Valley Wildflowers 4/27/18

Antelope Valley reports

As of April 27th, we don’t have a lot of flowers blooming because of the heat and little to no rain. This being said we only have a few small poppies blooming along the Tehachapi Vista Point but the majority have gone to seed. The good news is that the beavertail cactus has begun to bloom its beautiful magenta colors and there are four o’ clock flowers blooming on the lightning bolt trail.

Stay on OFFICIAL TRAILS only. Walking in the poppies crushes all of the wildflowers and may result in a ticket. DO NOT walk where others have already damaged plants or there is only bare dirt; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.

“Selfies” in the flowers are not allowed. All photos must be taken from the trail.

Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon or if it’s cold so check the weather forecast before arriving.  The weather can change suddenly and it is frequently windy here during the spring.  This is a DESERT grassland, so drink water often.  Note that it can be very windy here in the spring.

See photos at  Current Photos

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2018

Columbia River Gorge Wildflowers 4/26/18

Wanders and Wonders blog reports

Now is the time to head to the Columbia River Gorge for wildflower photos. I stopped for a check at the Nature Conservancy’s Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena Plateau today and the balsamroot is spectacular. Right at peak bloom, I’d say. There are some nice clumps of lupine as well, but that lovely species will come on even stronger in the next week or two.

This area of the Gorge between Hood River and The Dalles was not affected by the devastating wildfires last summer, and it is one of the top locations in the Pacific Northwest for photographing wildflowers.

Reports on Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Gorge indicate that the balsamroot is looking good there also, although the best is yet to come for the blankets of color near the top of the trail that this location is known for.

Dallas Mountain Road at Columbia Hills State Park, also on the Washington side of the Gorge, should also be looking very good now and for the next couple of weeks.

Check the weather forecast for The Dalles, Oregon, and look for an early morning or late afternoon with calm breezes. I’m a fan of the Storm weather app from Weather Underground.

The photo above is a quick iPhone snap from a spot I scouted this afternoon and plan to return to for a sunrise view.

For more ideas on where to photograph wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest, see my books Photographing Oregon and Photographing Washington.

See photo at Columbia River Gorge Wildflowers

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2018

Farmland Birds in France Are in Steep Decline

The New York Times reports on the decline of farmland birds in France and implications for all of Europe

Birds in farming regions of France are in trouble, and that may indicate problems in similar areas across Europe.

Scientists involved in long-running regional and national bird-counting surveys in France have reported precipitous declines in agricultural regions, even among common birds well adapted to human activity — the generalists, like blackbirds, that seem to do well in most circumstances.

This finding follows news of a devastating loss of insects in Germany, a decline of nearly 80 percent over the last 40 years. The drop is thought to be occurring throughout Europe.

Read full story at Farmland Birds in France Are in Steep Decline – The New York Times

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 26, 2018

Ancient Humans Hunted Big Mammals To Extinction

NPR reports on a new study that as a result of hunting and habitat destruction big mammals became extinct.

We still have lots of furry little mammals on the planet. But the pattern is clear: 11,000 years ago, the average mass of a non-human mammal in North America was about 200 pounds. Now it’s about 15 pounds. And the researchers say they’re getting even smaller.

Listen to or read the story at New Study Says Ancient Humans Hunted Big Mammals To Extinction : The Two-Way : NP

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 25, 2018

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 4/25/18

Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report  for April 25, 2018 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 25, 2018

Butterflies In The UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden 4/24/18

Yesterday I went on a very enjoyable butterfly walk at the UC- Berkeley Botanical Garden. We found seven different butterfly species.

Pipevine Swallowtail
Common Checkered Skipper
Field Crescent
Mournful Duskywing
Northern Checkerspot
Red Admiral
Pale Swallowtail

It is a good time to visit the garden. Many flowers are in bloom, birds are active and the butterflies will only increase over the next months.

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There are free monthly Butterfly Walks  with admission at the garden from  April 24 – October 23, 2018  on the fourth Tuesday of the month every month from 3-4 p.m.with  Sally Levinson, ‘caterpillar lady’, and Sarab Seth, ‘butterfly guy,’ for a guided walk through the Botanical Garden in search of butterflies.

 

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 25, 2018

Yosemite: Glacier Point Road Opens 4/28/18

Yosemite National Park News Release

Yosemite National Park announces the Glacier Point Road will open to all vehicular traffic at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 28, 2018.

There will be limited visitor services available at Glacier Point. There is no projected opening date for the Glacier Point store or the Bridalveil Creek Campground.

The Four Mile Trail is open from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point.

Visitors are encouraged to slow down and drive with caution along all park roads, as bears and other wildlife may be present on or near the roadway. Drivers should be aware of potential hazards in the road, including wet and icy conditions or debris in the roadway.

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 25, 2018

Saratoga Wildflower Show April 28, 2018

Wildflower Show

April 28 @ 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave
Saratoga, CA 95070 United States + Google Map

44th Wildflower Show: Hundreds of wildflowers displayed. Talks by John Muir Laws and Dan Gluesenkamp. Other talks: plant ID, pollinators, gardening, restoration. On sale: plants, books, art, posters, cards. Fun things for children. Free. West Valley College 14000 Fruitvale Avene. Located in the Biology wing of the Science and Math buildings, which parallels Allendale Avenue. Free parking in Lots 1 and 2 during

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 24, 2018

Marin County Wildflowers 4/21/18

The Marin CNPS Facebook page has a new posting  with nineteen photos from  this past Saturday for a CNPS post-fire hike at Pepperwood Preserve.  There are photos of recovering burned meadows and some nice displays. The following were shown in bloom:

  • Lasthenia californica – slender goldfields
  • Platystemon californicus – cream-cups
  • California poppies
  • Leptosiphon parviflorus – variable Linanthus
  • Gilia tricolor ssp. tricolor – bird’s-eye Gilia
  • Claytonia gypsophiloides – rosy pink Claytonia
  • Ancistrocarphus filagineus – woolly fishhooks
  • Calystegia collina ssp. oxyphylla – serpentine morning-glory
  • Calochortus amabilis – golden fairy lantern
  • Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis – pearlwort
  • Sisyrinchium bellum – blue-eyed grass

See these postings and others at Marin Native Plants Public Group | Facebook

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 24, 2018

Oregon Wildflowers 4/23/2018

Oregon Wildflowers  has the following reports for this past week. Click on location name to see report.

Location Area/City State Visited
Bald Butte OR 04/23/2018
Camassia Natural Area Portland OR 04/23/2018
Dog Mountain Columbia Gorge (west – WA) WA 04/21/2018
Dog Mountain Columbia Gorge (west – WA) WA 04/21/2018
Mosier Plateau Columbia Gorge (east – OR) OR 04/22/2018
Saddle Mountain Oregon Coast – Northern OR 04/23/2018

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 24, 2018

Marin County Wildflowers 4/23/18

The Marin CNPS Facebook page has a new of new postings of wildflowers in bloom at

  • Hillsides and Willow Camp Trail above Stinson Beach
  • Kent Trail at Alpine Lake

See these postings and others at Marin Native Plants Public Group | Facebook

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 24, 2018

Grapevine Poppy Bloom Photos 4/23/18

See photos of current bloom along the Grapevine in Southern California at the CNPS facebook page

The poppies were on fire today on the Grapevine #wildflowers #poppies#californiapoppies #springwildflowers #californiawildflowers#thegrapevine #tejonranch

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 24, 2018

Save The Frogs Day April 28, 2018

In an effort to raise awareness of the plight of amphibians, the scientific community has declared Saturday April 28th, 2019  ‘Save The Frogs Day’. On this day we encourage the appreciation and celebration of amphibians by people from all walks of life. Only a small proportion of the public is aware that frogs are disappearing, and amphibian conservation efforts will not be successful with an un-informed public. Our goal is to make the amphibian extinction crisis common knowledge, and Save The Frogs Day is our best way to make this happen!

To learn more and find local events go to: Save The Frogs Day

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 23, 2018

Saguaro National Park Wildflowers 4/23/18

Some of the saguaros have started to bloom but the majority of the Saguaros flowers are still only buds. We are still a couple weeks away from seeing a landscape full of saguaro flowers.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 23, 2018

Hungry Valley/ Tejon Pass Wildflowers 4/22/18

Hungry Valley OHV has a new wildflower report for 4/22/18

Make your plans now for a trip to Hungry Valley if you want to see the poppies in full bloom along Tejon Pass! The parking lot at Fort Tejon State Historic Park is a safe place to view them. While you are there, you can visit the historic fort and learn about our local history!

Hungry Valley Wildflower Viewing Areas are open and the signs are up! There are some remarkable blooms along these loops and I encourage you to come out and take a drive soon. These are two-wheel drive dirt roads, but you will need high clearance. These roads are narrow, so take advantage of turnouts to allow traffic to pass. Please do not park on any vegetation or block the roads while viewing the flowers. Also, all plants (and animals) are protected at Hungry Valley, so please do not pick any wildflowers.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 23, 2018

Oregon Wildflowers 4/21/2018

Oregon Wildflowers  has a new report for Dog Mountain

 

Dog Mountain 4/21/18 Lower elevations had some bloom (30-50%) and the topmost meadows barely had any. We spotted orange paintbrush, purple Pacific trillium, either storksbill or geranium, blue-eyed Mary and a light-pink colored flower that we are unable to recognize. The yellow balsamroot is starting to bud and a week or two`s worth of sunshine might lead to a full bloom by mid-May. Good hike!

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 23, 2018

North Table Mountain Wildflowers

Charlie Russell’s Wildflower Hikes website has a new post for North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve. This post is of a recent trip that focuses on the Beatson Hollow area of the reserve. It includes detailed directions, plant lists and photos. Check it out at North Table Mountain Beatson Hollow.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 23, 2018

West Adams Native Garden Tour April 28, 2018

West Adams Native Garden Tour April 28 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

WAHA invites you to our first West Adams Native Gardens Tour.  The self-guided tour opens the gates of ten private gardens that feature native plants in historical settings throughout the West Adams District.  All of the front yards and some back yards will be open to view, with knowledgeable owners and docents who will describe the plants and the benefits of “going native.”

The gardens on the tour will showcase reduced water use, reduced (or eliminated) chemical and pesticide use, improved habitat and benefits for birds and bees, and the unique aesthetic appeal of gardens designed with California native plants. In other words: These gardens are glorious.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you may be walking over somewhat uneven surfaces.

Tickets:

Early Bird Ticket Prices (until April 22) are:

WAHA Members – $20
General Public – $24

Tickets after April 22 or at the door – $30 (all visitors)

Purchase tickets at http://www.westadamsheritage.org/read/1364 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 22, 2018

Pt. Isabel Birds & Wildflowers 4/22/18

Today we did a short walk on the first mile of the Richmond Bay Trail starting from the dog park. Many of the waterbirds and shorebirds have left for the season.

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Phacelia and California Poppy by Sandy Steinman

The highlight was watching two rails near the 51st. cutoff. They hung around for quite a while and gave us many good looks. We even tried to take photos holding iPhones up to the scope. The best result is below. Also we were entertained by two Red-winged Blackbirds mobbing a Crow.

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Ridgway’s Rail by Rich S

The California Native Wildflowers are looking good which is a tribute to the efforts of the work of volunteers from the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

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Hummingbird Sage, California Poppy and Phacelia by Sandy Steinman

Click Read more to see bird list

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 22, 2018

Happy Earth Day

Today is Earth Day

End Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health!

Help End Plastic Pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume
every year and make a PLEDGE to reduce the amount.

Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally
change human attitude and behavior about plastics.

Learn more including what you can do to end plastic pollution at https://www.earthday.org

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 22, 2018

Postal Patron Helps Crack Global Plant Smuggling

The Mercury News reported on the international heist of Dudleya farinosa, which is also know as “Sea-bluff Lettuce” or “Powdery Liveforever”

How an irked Northern California postal patron helped crack a global plant smuggling scheme
Undercover agents infiltrate the global black market for succulents.

It’s the Golden State’s first-ever undercover plant investigation — and a tale of amazing obsession, where vigilant authorities, passionate plant lovers and an irked postal customer discovered that foreign thieves are slipping into California’s wild landscapes, fueling a budding black market in the lucrative exotic plant industry.

Read story at  How an irked Northern California postal patron helped crack a global plant smuggling scheme

Photos of Dudleya farinosa

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 21, 2018

Wildflowers Bloom Reports Around California 4/21/18

Botanical Wanderings – California has a number of new posts showing wildflower bloom for

  • Figueroa Mountain
  • ModiniMayacamas Preserves
  • El-Moro trail near Laguna Beach

Also older posts of photos for

  • Ca Hwy 14 and the Mojave Desert 4/15/18
  • Off of Ca Hwy 14 just past Red Rock Canyon. 4/14/18
  • Nine Mile Canyon Eastern Sierra 4/15/18
  •  Mariposa County, California. April 13, 2018

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 21, 2018

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Plant Sale April 28 to 29

For more information go to http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/springplantsale

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 20, 2018

Antelope Valley Wildflowers 4/20/18

Antelope Valley reports

As of April 20th, we don’t have a lot of flowers blooming due to the late winter rains and the flowers we do have are fading after last week’s heat. There are very few small poppies blooming along the trails, but most of them are going to seed. The goldfields and lacy phacelia are in bloom but have started fading. A few belly flowers such as forget me nots and rattlesnake weed can be found along many of the trails.

Stay on OFFICIAL TRAILS only. Walking in the poppies crushes all of the wildflowers and may result in a ticket. DO NOT walk where others have already damaged plants or there is only bare dirt; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.

“Selfies” in the flowers are not allowed. All photos must be taken from the trail.

Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon or if it’s cold so check the weather forecast before arriving.  The weather can change suddenly and it is frequently windy here during the spring.  This is a DESERT grassland, so drink water often.  Note that it can be very windy here in the spring.

See photos at  Current Photos

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 20, 2018

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 4/20/18

Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report  for April 20, 2018 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 20, 2018

Southern California Wildflower Summary 4/20/18

Theodore Payne  most of report below. To see full report and  photos go to http://theodorepayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/April-20-WHR.pdf

From the Sierra foothills around Three Rivers, we have reports of an explosion of spring flowers coming up under beautiful blue oak (Quercus douglasii) canopies. There are fields of understory flowers including fiddleneck (Amsinckia sp.), miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), shooting stars (Primula clevelandii), California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus), wild hyacinth (Dichelostemma capitatum) and popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus). A very special find is the delicate white flowered Greene’s saxifrage (Micranthes californica).

Last week, we took you up the eastern side of the Sierras along 395 to Nine Mile Canyon Road toward Kennedy Meadows. This week, we can include Short Canyon and Grapevine Canyon, as well. They are also west of Hwy 395 north of the 14/395 junction and south of Nine Mile Canyon. Short and Grapevine canyons are, however, unpaved roads. It slows you down enough to enjoy the small belly flowers. See if you can find a pygmy poppy (Canbya candida) in Short Canyon. Desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), fiddleneck (Amsinckia tesselata), forget-me-not/popcorn flower (Cryptantha spp.), sun cups ( Camissonia sp.), white tidy tips (Layia glandulosa), purple mat (Nama demissa), chia (Salvia columbariae), freckled milkvetch (Astragulus sp.), goldfields (Lasthenia sp.) and more. Nine Mile Canyon Road is stunning. Masses of coreopsis (Leptosyne bigelovii) and grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus) overwhelm the senses.

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