Visitors 76
Modified 30-Apr-24
Created 29-Apr-24
24 photos
While the Ridge out of Escobar Gate is nearing peak bloom for this year, things are more subdued and gradual in the moister, lower parts of the Preserve. Green is everywhere. At this peak time for photosynthesis, grass pulls the solar energy of the day into longer-term storage. Native wildflowers, awakened from their underground sleep by the persistent rains, push up to grab the sun’s energy, and to flower.
Native flowers outcompete the exotic European grasses on a serpentine slope. In shadier, moister woodlands, blackberries, Fat Solomon, Giant Trillium, and Smooth Mule Ears blossom. A Red-tailed Hawk circles overhead. A Great Blue Heron hunts along the creek below the dam. On the dam railing, a Black Phoebe rests, bearing nesting material.
Striped Coralroot Orchids delight us, growing all along Trail 8 above the lake. Just flowers: no greenery here, no photosynthesis. Most life forms have two functions: respiration and reproduction. Respiration, to obtain energy to continue. Reproduction, to pass genes to future generations. [We might add a third function: preservation and repair, keeping the organism together.] These orchids show no photosynthesis, no collection of energy. They are all flower – pure sex. Massed flowers beckon insects to visit and pollinate. The other, boring functions can happen underground.
A rare sighting of a Pacific Chorus Frog caps off our tour. These frogs are more often heard – in extended, coordinated chorus – than seen. The frog poses for us, then hops off into the grass, his body now camouflaged to blend into the green surroundings, his long toes ready to climb if needed.
Native flowers outcompete the exotic European grasses on a serpentine slope. In shadier, moister woodlands, blackberries, Fat Solomon, Giant Trillium, and Smooth Mule Ears blossom. A Red-tailed Hawk circles overhead. A Great Blue Heron hunts along the creek below the dam. On the dam railing, a Black Phoebe rests, bearing nesting material.
Striped Coralroot Orchids delight us, growing all along Trail 8 above the lake. Just flowers: no greenery here, no photosynthesis. Most life forms have two functions: respiration and reproduction. Respiration, to obtain energy to continue. Reproduction, to pass genes to future generations. [We might add a third function: preservation and repair, keeping the organism together.] These orchids show no photosynthesis, no collection of energy. They are all flower – pure sex. Massed flowers beckon insects to visit and pollinate. The other, boring functions can happen underground.
A rare sighting of a Pacific Chorus Frog caps off our tour. These frogs are more often heard – in extended, coordinated chorus – than seen. The frog poses for us, then hops off into the grass, his body now camouflaged to blend into the green surroundings, his long toes ready to climb if needed.
Dan Quinn