Las Trampas in Spring

Went for a wonderful hike around the eastern portion of Las Trampas Regional Wilderness last Sunday, up through scrub, oak woodland, and batches of grassland, stuff blooming throughout. In addition to all the cool things I found (including my first White Fairy Lanterns!), I was surprised to find so much black oak and blue oak in the hills. Kinda cool.

Posted on 16 May, 2009 06:21 by kueda kueda

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Wind Poppy (Papaver heterophyllum)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 03:01 PM PDT

Description

This is a wind poppy (Stylomecon heterophylla. Previously I had only seen this species on Mt. Diablo, but they were growing in profusion in parts of Las Trampas, particularly along the Mahogany and Trapline trails. I love their shiny petals.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mediterranean Lineseed (Bellardia trixago)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 02:46 PM PDT

Description

It's a Mediterranean, but it's still pretty. Growing here and there in the grassy parts of Las Trampas.

Photos / Sounds

What

Springtime Amanita (Amanita velosa)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 04:28 PM PDT

Description

I am pretty sure this is a very late-rising springtime Amanita (Amanita velosa). It had remnants of a volva around its base in the soil.

Photos / Sounds

What

Creamcups (Platystemon californicus)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 03:50 PM PDT

Description

When I turned the corner and saw these cream cups, I cried out, "Cream cups!" No one was there to witness the absurdity of the moment, which, I suppose, made it all the more absurd. Madcap adventures in solitude!

Photos / Sounds

What

White Globe Lily (Calochortus albus)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 03:19 PM PDT

Description

I went to Las Trampas in search of Calochortus superbus, but I found these instead. I'd say that's a fair trade. I couldn't believe how many of these there were! Almost every bit of shaded understory had some.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pacific Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla aureola)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 05:24 PM PDT

Description

Velvet ants move around way too much. The only way I could get a picture of this one was when it thought it was safely concealed under some grass.

Photos / Sounds

What

California Sister (Adelpha californica)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 05:06 PM PDT

Description

I saw a few of these, all flitting around wooded area.

Photos / Sounds

What

White Globe Lily (Calochortus albus)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 04:32 PM PDT

Description

There were a lot blooming that day.

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Snakeflies (Genus Agulla)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 06:42 PM PDT

Description

Damn. I was pretty excited to see this thing land as I was watching bees in the sage, but it was cagey and didn't want to let me get close.

Photos / Sounds

What

Oakland Mariposa Lily (Calochortus umbellatus)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 2009

Description

I was happy to see more Oakland Star Tulips. So inconspicuous!

Photos / Sounds

What

Crevice Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha)

Observer

kueda

Date

May 10, 2009 05:54 PM PDT

Description

Second time seeing this flower, which is a new one for me this season.

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