August 2026 in Portola Valley: Photography by Dan Quinn

Ground Squirrel in Frog Pond

capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:02:50 GMT

]]>California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a California native -- here before we were. Their main predators include coyotes, foxes, and bobcagts; birds of prey; and rattlesnakes. Please do not use poisons -- they kill the predators that would take many more squirrels. Consider birth control; they breed in the spring. Or sit back and watch. 7/30/2026, 9:27 am.

Dry Season for Buckeyes

capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:02:54 GMT

]]>Our California Buckeyes (Aesculus californica) evolved for this climate, with no rain in the summer months. So they go dormant for the summer, pulling energy from leaves, dropping the leaves, then developing their seeds. The seeds decorate the bare trees all summer, dropping after the first big rain in the fall, when the ground is ready for planting. Longspur, 8/7/2026, 9:17 am.

Buck with Antlers

capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:02:55 GMT

]]>While some does raise fawns, some bucks compete for this season's harem. Near the Frog Pond, 8/2/2026, 7:27 am.

Wild Rose

capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:02:58 GMT

]]>Upper Alpine Road below the gate to Villa Lauriston. 8/23/2026, 10:05 am.