Home»Portola Valley Ranch, Windy Hill, Etc.»Coal Mine Ridge Nature Preserve of PVR»2/15/2021 First Flowers of Spring

Once the rain moistens the ground, spring flowers appear. First to show are the red, white, and blue. White (to pink): Milkmaids, the very first. Dark red: Warrior's Plume, soon to be joined by Trillium. Blue, sky blue, unbelievable celestial blue: Hound's Tongue. Trees are in flower as well; here are Madrones and Bays. Fungus is at its peak. Beginning to appear, soon unavoidable: our own colorful Poison Oak.

After leaving the Ridge, I was greeted by several Western Bluebirds at the Frog Pond -- and even a rare (this year, for me) Cedar Waxwing!