The Marin CNPS Facebook page has new posting of photos for Mt. Tamalpais including the Dipsea, Steep Ravine, and Matt Davis Trails and San Bruno Mt. in San Mateo County at Marin Native Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2017
Bay Area Wildflower Updates 5/3/17
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2017
Pacific Northwest Wildflowers 5/2/17
Oregon Wildflowers has the following new reports for Washington and Oregon including the Columbia River Gorge:
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
the Golden Paintbrush is looking great, along with Oregon Iris and Common Camas are in full bloom. Also blooming are Rosy Plectritis, Saxifrage, Checker Mallow, and Western Buttercups.Catherine Creek
a quick visit to check on the Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)… I didn`t have time for the complete arch loop. I only saw one blooming, though there should be MANY more within the next 7-10 days.
The predominate flowers in the meadows near the parking area are Bicolored cluster lily (Triteleia grandiflora) and Meadow death camas (Zigadenus venenosus). Common camas (Camassia quamash) and profuse Rosy Plectritis (Plectritis congesta) are blooming in meadows next to the paved loop.Memaloose Hills
Memaloose Hills are in full bloom with Balsamroot, Big-Head Clover, Small- and Large-Flowered Blue-Eyed Mary, Prairie Star, Chocolate Lily, and many othersLabyrinth
Bloom is near peak, except for Lupines which are just beginning. Many, many flowers, including Balsamroot, Big Head Waterleaf, Big Head Clover, Bugloss Fiddleneck, Desert Shooting Stars, Nuttall`s Larkspur, Sleeping Popcorn Flower, White Tritelia, and Sukdorf`s Desert Parsley – the air is heavy with the scent of the last! One of my favorite Hikes, with outstanding views.
Comments Off on Pacific Northwest Wildflowers 5/2/17
Posted in Wildflower Bloom Reports, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Oregon Wildflowers, Wildflower Bloom Reports
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 3, 2017
May 13 is Global Big Day
From CornellLab of Ornithology
In our ongoing effort to push the boundaries of a Big Day, we’re inviting everybody around the world to join together and participate in our Global Big Day to support global conservation.
How to Participate
Submit Your Data to eBird on May 13. It’s that simple. If you submit your birds to eBird they count. Learn how to take part. Don’t worry — you don’t need to be a bird expert, or to go out all day long. Even a half hour checklist from your backyard will help. Of course, you are welcome to spend the entire day in the field, but know that it is not required! Please enter your data as soon as you can, preferably by Tuesday, May 16.
Posted in Birds | Tags: Global Big Day
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2017
Yosemite Dogwoods & Waterfalls 5/2/17
Michael Frye has posted an update on conditions in Yosemite Valley. He reported
In short, it’s beautiful. At the start of our workshop last week most of the dogwoods were still in that greenish stage, but by the end of the week most of the blossoms had turned white, and were in great shape. It looks like an above-average year for dogwoods, as many trees have plentiful blossoms. They will continue to bloom for a couple more weeks, but they’re most photogenic early, while the blossoms are still fresh, and before the leaves get too large (which tends to hide the flowers).
And the waterfalls were very full – as full as I’d ever seen them in late April, despite rather cool temperatures. Forecasters are predicting very warm weather this week, so the water levels will be rising from all the snowmelt. In fact they’re predicting minor flooding in Yosemite Valley tonight, tomorrow night, and Thursday night before rain and cooler temperatures arrive this weekend.
But if you’re thinking about visiting Yosemite Valley this spring, avoid weekends. The news media has been hyping the waterfalls in Yosemite, bringing large crowds, and the traffic last weekend was awful. I heard that cars were backed up from the Arch Rock entrance station along Highway 140 all the way back to Cedar Lodge on Saturday. That’s eight miles. Since then Highway 120 has reopened, which should help reduce the lines at the entrance stations a bit, but the worst congestion is in Yosemite Valley itself. Southside Drive leading into the eastern end of the Valley becomes a parking lot when there’s lots of traffic, and it can take two hours or more to get from the El Cap crossover to Sentinel Bridge. In short, avoid the weekends if at all possible, and go on a weekday.
See photos at Spring in Yosemite – Michael Frye Photography
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2017
Montana de Oro Wildflowers 5/2/17
A few quick iPhone photos from Montana de Oro State Park along the trail from San Spit parking lot and nearby area.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2017
DesertUSA Wildflower Updates 5/2/17
May 2, 2017 Wildflowers and cactus are still in bloom at the higher elevations, in Arizona, Southern California, Nevada and Utah.
DESERT WILDFLOWER UPDATES BY STATE AND PARKS
Arizona Deserts
- Phoenix Area and Northern AZ – Updated May 2, 2017
- Tucson Area and Southern AZ – Updated May 2, 2017
California Deserts
- Anza Borrego DSP – Updated April 22, 2017
- Death Valley NP – Updated April 18, 2017
- Joshua Tree NP and Nearby – Updated May 2, 2017
- Mojave NP – Amboy – RT 66 – Updated April 25, 2017
- Southern California – Updated April 27, 2017
More Areas
- Northern California and the Northwest – Updated March 29, 2017
- Nevada and Utah – Updated May 2, 2017
- New Mexico – Updated April 18, 2017
- Texas – Updated April 7, 2017
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2017
Hungry Valley Wildflowers 4/30/17
Hungry Valley OHV has a new wildflower report for 4/30/17
While a lot of the early bloomers have faded, other plants have started to blossom. If you come in the south entrance you will notice the bright pink of the beavertail cactus just past the oaks and at the yucca flats. The yucca is still putting on a show and it appears that even more will be blooming in the next week.
Heading toward Lane Ranch Campground, the yerba santa bushes are in full bloom along the road with their pale purple flowers. The elderberry, large shrubs with lacy white blossoms, are also flowering there and in other areas in the park.
Scarlet bugler is blooming in some places in the park with a nice patch found at the entrance to Smith Forks. There is still some purple sage at the S curves near that campground.
The bladderpod bush is going to seed throughout the park; its seedpods illustrate the name. Along Spaghetti Pass, the yellow silver puff has also gone to seed with the round seed head explaining the name of the flower. The bush lupine is in full bloom on the pass, and some poppies can be seen in small patches there and in the grasslands.
how between Aliklik and Lane Ranch campgrounds.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 2, 2017
Chimpanzees Make Drinking Sticks
In new research on animal use of tools the BBC reports
Researchers have used camera traps to film tool-use that is unique to chimpanzees in Ivory Coast.
The footage revealed that the clever primates habitually make special water-dipping sticks – chewing the end of the stick to turn it into a soft, water-absorbing brush.
Primate researchers examined the “dipping sticks” and concluded they were made specifically for drinking.
See story with video at Primate tool-use: Chimpanzees make drinking sticks
Posted in Animals | Tags: Chimpanzees Make Drinking Sticks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2017
Yosemite Dogwood Bloom 5/1/17
Where to photograph in California – Yahoo Groups (Calphoto) reports at Yosemite National Park the dogwood along the way to mirror lake is fully bloom.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2017
Marin County Wildflowers 5/1/17 – updated
The Marin County CNPS Facebook page has photos from recent trips to King Mt., Pine Mountain Road (between San Geronimo ridge road and lower Carson falls), and Deer Park.
Checkout the comment by Stephen and Ruth Altschuler who report
Point Reyes national seashore update: ceonothus all along Limantour Rd are at peak. Chimney Rock is good out near point. Iris ok. Lots of star tulip. Mule ears. Paint brush. Very windy and cold. Lots of long grasses stunting flower growth. A sunny day with fabulous views. Fun.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2017
Henry Coe Wildflower Update 5/1/17
Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for May 1, 2017 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2017
Edgewood Park May Wildflowers
Friends of Edgewood Park have updated its website to show what plants are typically blooming in May. There are photos of plants you might see. Explore plant locations, plant species, which plant blooms when, and answers to a host of other questions at What’s Blooming This Month.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2017
Bird Migration At Tejon Ranch
The current addition of the Tejon Ranch Conservancy newsletter focuses on bird migration at Tejon Ranch at Tejon RancH Conservancy eNews
Posted in Birds, Class/Workshop | Tags: Bird migration, Tejon Ranch
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 1, 2017
Why Moths Are Attracted To Light?
Why moths are attracted to light
Increased barrier effects through street lighting
ScienceDaily reports
Light at night changes animals’ behavior. A new study shows that moths are attracted to street lamps within a radius of approximately 23 meters. The number of specimens attracted depends on the position of the street lamp: on the border of dark zones, more moths are attracted to the light than in an area’s center where many lamps are used. Considering the standard distance between lamp posts in Europe, the nightscape appears fragmented to moths. This causes them to lose valuable time and energy at the lamps, so that increasing lighting may decrease their abundance.
Read full story at Why moths are attracted to light: Increased barrier effects through street lighting — ScienceDaily
Posted in Animals | Tags: Why moths are attracted to light?
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2017
Where To Find Wildflowers In California Through The Summer
Capitol Public Radio has an article on Where To Find Wildflowers In California Through The Summer at Where To Find Wildflowers In California Through The Summer – capradio.org
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: California Wildflowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2017
Marin County Wildflowers 4/30/17
The Marin County CNPS Facebook page has photos from recent trips to China Camp State Park, Mt. Tamalpais State Park and Mt. Burdell State Park.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2017
Over 150,000 People in D.C. Demand Taking Action on Climate Change
Sierra Club News Release
MORE THAN 150,000 PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS OF WASHINGTON, DC DEMANDING CLIMATE ACTION
Today’s March is Only the Beginning of the Fight to Stop Trump’s Failure to Act on Climate
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Washington, DC — Today, more than 150,000 people took to the streets of Washington, DC for the Peoples Climate March, joined by thousands more marching in cities and towns across the country.
The Peoples Climate March is led by a groundbreaking coalition of frontline communities, faith leaders, labor activists, civil rights champions, and climate justice advocates. Together, we are demanding commonsense protections for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the health of the vulnerable communities who have the most to lose under Donald Trump’s administration.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“The sight of more than 150,000 people taking to the streets of Washington, DC, not to mention the thousands more in cities and towns across the country, displays the true power of the climate movement. We cannot nor will not be stopped. We will speak out, we will take to the streets, and we will win.
“Donald Trump can try to stick his head in the sand when it comes to protecting our clean air and water all he wants, but that will never drown out the millions of voices across the country demanding action.”
Posted in Environment | Tags: CLIMATE MARCH
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2017
Oregon Wildflowers: Camissia Natural Area 4/29/17
Oregon Wildflowers reports on Camassia Natural Area wildflower bloom
Camassia is always wonderful, but now is a particularly good time to visit!
The namesake flower (Camassia quamash) is blooming everywhere and should reach its peak within a week. Also blooming profusely in the meadows are Rosy Plectritis (Plectritis congesta) and Large-flowered Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia grandiflora), with Western Saxifrage (Saxifraga occidentalis) and Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis var. occidentalis) filling in the gaps.
Also blooming (primarily within the forest) are Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora), Wood Violets (Viola glabella), Candy Flower Claytonia sibirica), Bigroot (Marah oreganus), and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Oregon Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum) is past peak but there are still some blooms. There are also a few remaining Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) and Large False Solomon`s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum).
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 30, 2017
May 2017 Birding Field Trips
May 2017 Golden Gate Audubon Birding Field Trips
For more information on any of the trips below go to http://goldengateaudubon.org/field-trips/fieldtrips/
- Birding by Ear Along the Stream Trail, Redwood Regional Park
Friday, May 5, 7:00 — 9:00 a.m. (repeated May 12; sign up for only one) - Dawn Chorus, Big Leaf Picnic Site, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Friday, May 5, 5:30 — 7:30 a.m. (First Friday special dawn bird walk)
- Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Friday, May 5, 8:30 — 11:00 a.m. (First Friday regular bird walk)
- Leona Canyon Regional Open Space, Oakland Saturday, May 6, 8 a.m. — Noon
- Willow Bottoms at Lake Chabot, Castro Valley Sunday, May 7, 8 — 11 a.m.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Sunday, May 7, 8:00 — 10:30 a.m.
(First Sunday bird walk) - Birding by Ear Along the Stream Trail, Redwood Regional Park Friday, May 12, 7:00 — 9:00 a.m.
Posted in Birds, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Area Audubon Field Trips, Birding, Birding Field Trips
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 29, 2017
Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers 4/29/17
Homestead Valley Land Trust reports on April 29
NEW
– Bird’s foot trefoil, native of Europe, is a small, yellow pea-shaped flower.
– Common catchfly, native of Eurasia and North Africa, is a windmill white flower on a tall stalk with a striped pod.
– Common Yarrow is a white flowered umbel with feathery leaves. It’s a sun lover and is blooming on the ridge now but will be out it all the meadows soon.
– Ithuriel’s spear, a bright blue funnel is blooming up on the ridge now and will show up in lower meadows soon.
– Mule’s ear, a yellow sunflower, is blooming in ridge meadows.
– Naked buckwheat is blooming up in ridge meadows now.
– Poison hemlock, native to Europe, has white umbel flowers. Its stalk is mottled red hinting at the toxicity of this plant.
– Rose clover, native to the Mediterranean basin, is blooming up on the ridge.
– Shamrock clover, native of Europe, has a bright yellow flower and is blooming along trails in meadows.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 29, 2017
Highway 120 To Yosemite Reopens May 1
Yosemite National Park News Release
Yosemite National Park Announces Re-Opening of Big Oak Flat Road
Big Oak Flat road will reopen to all vehicular traffic at 5:00 am Monday, May 1, 2017
Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Big Oak Flat road will reopen to all vehicular traffic at 5:00 am on Monday, May 1, 2017. Visitors entering the park via Highway 120 West will once again be able to drive via Big Oak Flat road to Yosemite Valley.
Road work will still be underway when the road reopens. Visitors planning to drive over Big Oak Flat road should be prepared for one-lane traffic closures with waits up to 15 minutes. The road will be closed from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am for several days as work crews finalize the repairs to the Big Oak Flat road.
Posted in Park | Tags: Big Oak Flat Road, Highway 120, Yosemite
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 29, 2017
Santa Monica Wildflowers 4/29/17
Santa Monica Mts. National Recreation Area reports
Reports are that this is the best flower season the Santa Monica’s have seen in years.
Stunt Ranch – Stunt Ranch Trail 4/26/17
This trail is in full glory. The trailhead is awash in purple sage mixed with golden yard, chamise and wild morning glory. Descending into the cool riparian woodland you fine purple nightshade, canyon sunflowers, fiesta flower, hummingbird sage, eucrypta and my favorite; globe lilies or fairy lanterns that just seem to radiate light. Climbing up out of the oaks you come to meadows that are filled with golds and purples. There are multitudes of golden star lilies and more golden yarrow mixed with larkspur, blue dicks, blue eyed grass and the exquisite tiny brodeaia and punctuated by more butterfly mariposa lilies than I can remember seeing in one place. Continuing into the chaparral you will find elegant clarkia, heart leaf penstemon, woolly blue curls, California chicory, caterpillar phacelia and great swathes of Chinese houses.
See older reports and photos at What’s Blooming
Santa Monica Mt. Quick Links:
Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains – Photos of 1000 SMM plants.
Archive – Previous “What’s Blooming” reports.
Outdoors – The Calendar of Events for the Santa Monica Mountains NRA.
SMM WildFlowers – The Park’s popular wildflower app for the iPhone.
New! SMM WildFlowers – The Park’s popular wildflower app for Android smartphones (Pre-Release Beta Version)
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 29, 2017
CNPS Field Trips May 2017
May 2017 Field Trips:
(for more information on trips go to chapter websites; also check out chapter websites for late trip postings)
Bristlecone (Mono, Inyo and NE Kern counties) http://bristleconecnps.org/index.php
- May 20, Saturday, 8am Bristlecone Chapter Field Trip: Ainslee Spring and Round Fire Burn.
- May 25, Thursday, (note date change!) Bristlecone Chapter Field Trip: Volcanic Tablelands.
East Bay CNPS http://www.ebcnps.org/
- Exclusive Irish Canyon Property Tour – Clayton Area
Saturday, May 13, 9 am-1 pm Participants must register in advance - Sunday, May 14, 10 am at Ayala Cove or as near thereafter as ferry arrival allows–Angel Island
- Sunday, May 21, 2017, 9:45, Briones – Blue Oak and Spengler Trails
- Sunday, May 21, 10 am Hillside Natural Area Festival in El Cerrito-main event next to the city recycling area
- Saturday, May 27, field trip to Falls Trail–Mount Diablo State Park
Marin CNPS http://www.marin.edu/cnps
- Marin Island Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Milo Baker (Sonoma county) http://milobaker.cnps.org/index.php/events/field-trips
- Salt Point State Park and The Sea Ranch – campout Saturday May 6 to Monday May 8, 2017
- Eco-Friendly Garden Tour Saturday May 13, 2017
- Walker Ridge – area, eastern Lake -western Colusa Counties, off Hwy. 20 Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14, 2017 – campout
- Ethnobotanical Walk and visit to SRJC Museum Friday, May 19, 2017, 10AM – 3PM
- Hood Mountain Saturday, May 27, 2017 (Memorial Day weekend) Read More…
Posted in Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: CNPS, Wildflower Walks, Wildflowers and Other Plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 28, 2017
National Monuments Affected By Trump’s Order
Read about what National Monuments could be affected by Trump’s executive order at NPR What Are The National Monuments Affected By President Donald Trump’s Executive Order? : The Two-Way : NPR
Here are a few links to organizations working to protect our public lands including national monuments.
Earth Justice
Trump Puts America’s National Monuments on Trial with Latest Executive Order http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2017/trump-puts-america-s-national-monuments-on-trial-with-latest-executive-order?utm_source=crm&utm_content=ResponsiveHTMLLink1
Center for Biological Diversity
Resist Trump’s Attacks on Our National Monuments http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=17615
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 28, 2017
A Mountaintop with Panoramic Bay Area Views, Closed to the Public for 59 Years, Opens This Fall
Bay Nature reports
The Mount Umunhum summit area will open to the public on September 16.To stand on top of Mount
Umunhum is to step back in time. Up here at 3,486 feet, spring blossoms and buzzes and a cool wind blows, while down below you can almost watch San Jose roasting under the July sun. At these heights winter is harsher and longer, causing spring on the mountain to begin a month or more later than in the Santa Clara Valley below. Colorful blooms lure butterflies and hummingbirds to the summit, where they seem to congregate, a phenomenon so long a part of the mountain’s existence the region’s Ohlone Indians called it “the resting place of the hummingbird,” or umunhum.
Read full article at A Mountaintop with Panoramic Bay Area Views, Closed to the Public for 59 Years, Opens This Fall – Bay Nature
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Mount Umunhum
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 28, 2017
Southern California Wildflower Reports 4/28/17
Theodore Payne Foundation posted its weekly wildflower report .
This week’s reports include
- Cajon Pass
- San Gabriel Mountains
- Descanso Gardens
- Carrizo Plain National Monument
- Figueroa Mt. in Los Padres National Forest
- Hungry Valley SVRA
- Placerita Canyon Natural Area
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Joshua Tree National Monumen
- Descanso Gardens
- Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach
- Elizabeth Learning Center
See full report and photos at: http://theodorepayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/28-AprilReport_2.pdf
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2017
DesertUSA Wildflower Updates 4/27/17
Here are the links to DesertUSA‘s current wildflower bloom reports and photos. Check out the link for Southern California to see there is still some color at Carrizo Plain
April 27, 2017 – Still some color in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, it has passed its peak. Wildflowers and cactus are still in bloom at the higher elevations, in Arizona, Southern California, Nevada and Utah.
DESERT WILDFLOWER UPDATES BY STATE AND PARKS
Arizona Deserts
- Phoenix Area and Northern AZ – Updated April 14, 2017
- Tucson Area and Southern AZ – Updated April 22, 2017
California Deserts
- Anza Borrego DSP – Updated April 22, 2017
- Death Valley NP – Updated April 18, 2017
- Joshua Tree NP and Nearby – Updated April 24, 2017
- Mojave NP – Amboy – RT 66 – Updated April 25, 2017
- Southern California – Updated April 27, 2017
More Areas
- Northern California and the Northwest – Updated March 29, 2017
- Nevada and Utah – Updated April 17, 2017
- New Mexico – Updated April 18, 2017
- Texas – Updated April 7, 2017
Read more: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html#ixzz4fTqYOU1Q
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 27, 2017
Trump Attacks National Monuments
WildEarth Guardians News Release
Trump Attacks National Monuments, Continues Crusade Against America’s Public Lands
Santa fe, nm–WildEarth Guardians today condemned the executive order issued by President Trump directing the Department of the Interior to examine all designations of national monuments by previous Presidents since January 1, 1996.
“The clear but unstated goal of Trump’s executive order is to remove existing protections on Americans’ public lands,” said Chris Krupp, Public Lands Guardians for WildEarth Guardians. “The coal, oil and gas industries will be looking to mine and frack on public lands that are no longer protected once monument boundaries are redrawn.”
The order seems expressly designed to gratify far-right Utah politicians opposed to safeguarding American public lands. Specifically in the crosshairs is Utah’s 1.35 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument, a stunning and culturally significant landscape in southeastern Utah that has been increasingly under threat by expanded oil and gas development in the region. The January 1, 1996 date for which all subsequent designations are subject to review also commits Interior to examining Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, designated on September 18, 1996.
While the order may appease Utah politicians, it is against the wishes of most Americans. A 2017 poll by Colorado College found that 80 percent of Westerners support maintaining existing National Monument designations, with only 13 percent opposed. In Utah, 60 percent of residents want to keep existing designations, with 30 percent opposed. The same poll found that by more than a 3:1 margin Westerners want protection of public lands to take precedence over energy development.
To see pictures of the Bears Ears National Monument, click here. To better understand the threat to Bears Ears posed by oil and gas development, click here.
Posted in Environment, Park | Tags: Trump Attacks National Monuments
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 26, 2017
Henry Coe Wildflower Update 4/26/17
Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for April 26, 2017 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | April 26, 2017
Figueroa Mountain Wildflowers 4/26/17
submitted by Helen Tarbet Recreation Technician Los Padres National Forest
Figueroa Mountain Wildflower Update April 26, 2017
Many of the flowers are dwindling and most are being covered or overtaken by the tall grasses, yet the bush lupine are continuing to put on quite a show throughout the mountain. The bush poppies and sticky leaf monkey flowers are proudly joining the act in a number of areas, creating a palette of the different hues of purples, yellows and pale oranges. Some of the late season varieties are starting to bloom, yet others are having trouble competing with the grasses. There is still time to come out and see the show, but do it soon…..even the green on the hillsides is starting to turn brown and we are rapidly starting to see a summer pattern.
A friendly reminder before we begin. When you stop to look and take pictures of all the beauties, please make sure that you park on the shoulder of the road and not on the road itself. If there isn’t a place to stop, find a turn-out and walk back to the area. Please do not block the road at any time as this will be enforced.
Starting at the first cattle guard and continuing to the canopy area, few flowers are in bloom anymore. One can still see some Chinese houses, fiddlenecks, hummingbird sage, golden yarrow and blow wives but are rapidly retiring for the season.
As you continue up the hill, a few California poppies continue to bloom along the road, along with some mustard. If you look to your left at Grass Mountain, you will notice that the lush green grass of two weeks ago is now brown.
Along the rock wall on your right, look for golden yarrow, poppies, Chinese houses, purple wild onion, chalk Dudley and clematis. As you continue up the hill, you will find blow wives, mustard, golden yarrow and buckwheat, a handful of mariposa lilies, wallflowers, blue-eyed grass, morning glories and a bush lupine.
Natural History Wanderings 