sunrise ~ 01/31/11 ~ at home

sunrise from home

January 31, 2011

Yep, we're still doing our annual tradition of hand-cutting paper snowflakes and taping them to our living room window. The dark profile hides the fact we reuse our office print paper to make these; in full sun, they're quite colorful and patterned. While it will occasionally snow in the mountains south of here every couple of years (shocking, I know, especially since we've had mid-70 °F weather for most of January this year), this is our version of winter. Click to see our 2007 window. Also, if you're up for it, check out my virtual collection of snow and ice from other blogs posted to my companion blog.

sea otter ~ 01/26/11 ~ Coast Guard Pier

southern sea otter
Enhydra lutris nereis

I rarely spot sea otters out of the water and am always surprised at how big they are, especially when their fur is dried and fluffed out. More often than not, the locals are tagged on their hind feet. This one was sunning itself at sunrise, but per my usual I didn't have a camera on me during my regular morning walk. I came back later to take this picture. It's too bad, because I missed some awesome photo opportunities with a massive elephant seal floating in the water next to the boat docks.

So, as I was looking up embedded links to include in this post's ID (see highlighted names right below the picture), I discovered there are 3 subspecies of Enhydra lutris. Who knew? Our local southern sea otter is the smallest of the three and is also listed as federally threatened. I've also backposted 2 other sea otter pics this morning for those who are curious.

ps - For much better pictures than I can ever provide, check out Greg Magee's smugmug southern sea otter pics. We cross paths regularly in the mornings. I've been tempted to ask him to photograph certain birds and marine animals that I spot.

habitat ~ 01/19/11 ~ Fort Ord - BLM Creekside

Fort Ord - Creekside entrance
January 19, 2011

Fort Ord has become one of my favorite places to hike. It can be very green this time of year through to June. After a very wet December, we haven't had much rain and it's been unseasonably warm (77 °F this day). I expected to see more water in the vernal pool. There are still 3-4 months of rainy season left.

I have two location labels for Fort Ord BLM lands (Creekside entrance and InterGarrison entrance), but I've combined the two with others for the Fort Ord habitat - all label. Eventually, when all the munitions are removed, the Fort Ord BLM lands will include about 15,000 acres.

footsteps of spring

Sanicula arctopoides
Apiaceae

If it weren't for the neon yellow color, I'd have a hard time identifying this low-growing plant in the carrot family. Vern Yadon states, "Think of someone walking across a dark carpet with bleach on their shoes and you will visualize these chartreuse green flowers in a dark green field." I only spotted a few patches of footsteps during this hike. If my notes from past years are correct, they should last until about mid-March. This is the earliest I've seen them; of course, we've had an incredibly mild and warm January this year.

jack-o-lantern
Omphalotus olivascens
more related information

posted 01/25/11 - I wince every time I put up a "can you ID?" post. Given the increasingly limited time I'm willing to put into blogging, I tried and failed to make a positive ID, and yet I'm still curious enough to post this to Nature ID to ask others. The past several days, I've looked sporadically for online photographic matches of this fungus and have come up empty handed. In the mean time, I've made a new grouped list specifically for fungi (labels and grouped lists, at the bottom of each post and linked to the right of my home page, are mostly ordered alphabetically). I'd appreciate any genus names or hints if you're familiar with this particular mushroom. From the top view, it reminds me of delicious, golden pancakes with gills underneath. Where's the butter and syrup? Unlike other "bracket" type (i.e., growing from wood) mushrooms, these were not found on a rotting log or stump, but were stretching out from a dirt cliff. Upon closer inspection, it looks like there's an old woody branch sticking out of the dirt - possibly an old tree root?

I was considering writing a ranting monologue about the nature of traditional identification keys for the various biology disciplines and how they're really only useful to the few people who already know what they're looking at. However, I'll skip the wordiness here and leave you with some links to what others have to offer:

Ecology of Commanster's caveat and note on identification keys
Random Truth's flickr fungi of california set
The Fungi of California
Mushroom Hobby
Mushroom Expert

ps 01/26/11 - Thanks to commenters, I've edited and corrected this post and the ID above. I'm a bit embarrassed as I have already ID'd this particular fungus. In my defense, the one above looks very, very different from the jack-o-lanterns I've been visiting almost every day.

fiesta flower ~ 01/19/11 ~ Fort Ord

fiesta flower under oak
Pholistoma sp. under oak
Boraginaceae (formerly Hydrophyllaceae) and Fagaceae

I love the bright green and shape of the fiesta flower leaves. I'm not positive which species creates this lush green carpet under the oak trees (there's a blue and white version, each with subspecies)... nor have I taken the time yet to ID specific oaks. Interesting to note, I only see fiesta flowers under the oak canopies. Isn't there a name for the condition where things grow directly under the branches of trees due to the shade and extra moisture from fog and rain they provide to the understory? I plan to pay more attention this spring when I'm out hiking.

Pacific poison-oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum

Anacardiaceae

The song birds really loved flitting through the dried poison-oak. I couldn't tell what they were or if they were picking at the seeds. Since I don't carry binoculars with me on hikes (sheesh, I can barely tolerate carrying my point-and-shoot), I wasn't about to get closer for a better look.

For anyone who enjoys outdoor activities in California, it's a good idea to learn to recognize poison-oak throughout its many seasonal variations. Click my previous poison-oak posts for more pictures and information. Even the bare winter twigs can cause a rash in many people. And as my husband learned the hard way, animals that run through the brush can collect the rash-inducing oil on their coats. He helped a lost dog named Lola on December 8, 2010 and even now still has poison-oak rash scars. While I love dogs, especially ones that don't jump on me and knock me over, I will go to great lengths to avoid touching any dogs I meet on trails.

ps - I'm starting to use an alternative common naming convention for plants, where if the last noun is not the actual thing, then I hyphenate. Pacific poison-oak is not a true oak, like coast Douglas-fir is not a true fir. I've also seen poisonoak as one word. To read my rant on common naming conventions, see my bat star post. If anyone has any thoughts on this, I'd love to hear from you.

manzanita
Arctostaphylos sp.
Ericaceae

Before I started Nature ID, I pretty much ignored manzanitas. Hey, they're shrubs and I usually don't get too excited about shrubbery. However, I've since come to appreciate the varied beauty of manzanitas, from their amazingly artistic, maroon and grey bark to their delicate pink and white flowers. While there are 123 species records of Arctostaphylos listed on Calflora (click on the scientific name above to link to the database), I've narrowed down the species to just 7 possibilities at sandy Fort Ord. Perhaps, this year I'll look into how I can distinguish between the different species. Can anyone help me identify these rather cool shrubs?

jimson weed ~ 01/19/11 ~ Fort Ord

common jimson weed

Datura stramonium
Solanaceae

I rarely remember the individual plants that I happen to post pictures through the seasons, but this jimson weed stands out in my mind. Those are some gnarly seed pods! Click to see pictures of it in its full summer glory from August 21, 2010. The switch of green vs. dried parts between jimson weed and grass, from August to now in January, is quite fascinating to observe.

ps 01/22/11 - Thanks to Phyte Club Katie's comment, I've discovered this plant is apparently fairly toxic, i.e., do NOT use for a recreational high.

pss 10/27/11 - Found another blog post of the actual seeds. I like. Check out Backyard and Beyond's Jimson.

shootingstar ~ 01/19/11 ~ Fort Ord

coastal shootingstar

Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. sanctarum
Primulaceae

Here's my first spring wildflower post for 2011. And, there wasn't just one or two, there was a whole hillside covered in these padre's shootingstars (the common name given to the species as opposed to the subspecies). I've been telling my husband for years that spring essentially starts in mid-January along the Central Coast of California, but he still poo-poos this idea having hailed from colder Washington state and holding firmly to the "traditional" timing of seasons in the northern hemisphere. Who hasn't heard "in like a lion and out like a lamb" as a description for the month of March? Hey, where I live, that's a better description for January!

I'm having trouble getting clear shots of wildflowers with longer, delicate stems, especially when the wind blows almost non-stop around here. I was very disappointed to find most of my pictures were too fuzzy to post. Does anyone have any suggestions, besides picking the flowers and taking them home to photograph in the kitchen, or besides purchasing a spendy new fast-action camera?

ps 01/30/11 - I sometimes use the Fort Ord plant list to confirm my IDs and D. clevelandii ssp. sanctarum is the only Dodecatheon listed. Personally, I would not be able to easily distinguish between the 12 species records listed on Calflora.

my first tree year project post

western scrub-jay perched on coast Douglas-fir
Aphelocoma californica perched on Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii
Pinaceae

I don't often join in blogging groups and group nature activities. Sheesh, keeping up with Nature ID is already enough of a time-consuming hobby for me. However, I immediately liked the The Tree Year project idea: pick a tree, observe it and everything on or around it as often as you can, then share your observations.

I've already been observing this coast Douglas-fir for the past few years, which is located right next to our 3rd story balcony. Click to see all my past posts that include mentions or pictures of this tree. While I plan to write more later, I had a good laugh looking back to when I began this blog - back then, I wasn't sure which kind of jay came to visit me for peanuts or what kind of gnarly tree was growing within a few feet from home.

Similarly, I'm curious to watch how this The Tree Year develops.

Much to my own mixed dismay and delight, I've been hand feeding peanuts to our local western scrub-jays. The particular individual pictured above has continued to visit me through the fall and winter. It often hides the peanuts in the odd looking tailed pine cones of the Douglas-fir. I've wondered whether it knows how to find its stash, but I've since read western scrubs have a very good memory. Last summer I was feeding 4 different jays. They all looked very similar, but each had their own personality and behavior. I wonder what happened to the other 3 jays.

http://thetreeyear.wordpress.com/tree-year-posts/life-on-the-tree/birds/

wordless Wednesday

index: all of

labels last updated: 11/10/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses. Instead of scrolling through lengthy posts of every entry contained within an "all" category, click the associated "index" to view grouped names and links of what's featured on Nature ID.

• * all algae (9) ~ index: algae

• * all arthropods (not insects) (30) ~ index: arthropods

• * all birds (108) ~ index: birds

• * all fungi (25) ~ index: fungi

• * all gastropods (15) ~ index: gastropods

• * all herps (49) ~ index: herps

• * all insects (143) ~ index: insects

• * all mammals (64) ~ index: mammals

• * all marine life (85) ~ index: marine life

• * all plants (garden) (42), * all plants (native) (378), * all plants (non-native) (60) ~ index: plant families ~ index: plants

• * all habitats (164) ~ index: habitats ~ index: habitat features ~ index: seasons

• index: CA locations ~ index: CA counties ~ index: photo locations not in CA

• index: odds & ends

index: algae

labels last updated: 04/06/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses. Any 'also' included with a label indicates an alga that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

(see also  lichen, lichen - also, and lace lichen - also)

• * all algae (9)
• brown algae (4)
• green algae (3)
• kelp (3)
• kelp - also (3)
• red algae (3)
• sea lettuce (1)
• seaweeds (6)
• trentepohlia (1)
• zoochlorellae - also (1)

index: arthropods

labels last updated: 11/12/14

For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.

(see also index: insects and index: lepidoptera)

• * all arthropods (not insects) (33)
• * all insects (192)
• amphipods (2)
• barnacles (3)
• beach hoppers (2)
• cobweb spiders (1)
• colonial orb weavers (2)
• crab spiders (2)
• crabs (10)
• hermit crabs (3)
• jumping spiders (1)
• lynx spiders (1)
• millipedes (1)
• mites (1)
• opiliones (1)
• orb weavers (1)
• rock crabs (3)
• sand crabs (3)
• scorpions (1)
• shore crabs (1)
• spiders (9)
• tarantulas (1)
• ticks (2)
• turret spiders (1)

index: birds

labels last updated: 11/12/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

I merely have a cursory interest in birds, so this list isn't terribly extensive.  Similar to E.O. Wilson, my hearing impairment has kept me from truly enjoying their multisensory appeal.  For a fantastic and entertaining birders' bird blog, check out Bourbon, Bastards, and Birds.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.  Any 'also' included with a label indicates a bird that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

• * all birds (110)
• * birds of prey (13)
• * other birds (13)
• * seabirds shorebirds waterbirds (59)
• * songbirds (26)
• bald eagles (1)
• barn owls (1)
• barn swallows (1)
• black-bellied plovers (1)
• black-crowned night herons (7)
• black-crowned night herons - also (9)
• blackbirds (1)
• brandt's cormorants (9)
• brown pelicans (6)
• brown pelicans - also (2)
• cedar waxings - also (1)
• clapper rails (1) - not likely
• cliff swallows (3)
• condors (1)
• cooper's hawks (1)
• coots (2)
• cormorants (13)
• crows (1)
• curlews (2)
• double-crested cormorants (1)
• eared grebes (1)
• geese (1)
• godwits (2)
• great blue herons (3)
• great egrets (5)
• great egrets - also (1)
• grebes (2)
• gulls (10)
• gulls - also (5)
• heermann's gulls (1)
• herons and egrets (13)
• hummingbirds (4)
• hummingbirds - also (1)
• juncos (2)
• kestrels (1)
• killdeer (1)
• kingfishers (1)
• magpies (1)
• mallards - also (1)
• mourning doves (1)
• nuthatches (1)
• ospreys (1)
• owls (1)
• owls - also (1)
• peafowls (1)
• pelagic cormorants (2)
• pelicans (9)
• plovers (3)
• quails (2)
• red-shouldered hawks (6)
• scrub-jays (7)
• semipalmated plovers (1)
• snowy egrets (3)
• snowy plovers (2)
• sparrows (2)
• steller's jays (2)
• surfbirds (3)
• swallows (3)
• tanagers (1)
• terns (1)
• towhees (3)
• tree swallows (1)
• turkeys (1)
• turnstones (2)
• vultures (1)
• warblers (3)
• warblers - also (1)
• waxwings (1)
• western grebes (1)
• western gulls (8)
• white pelicans (3)
• willets (3)
• woodpeckers (4)

index: fungi, lichens, and slime molds

labels last updated: 04/06/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.
Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.

• * all fungi (25)
• * fungal diseases (3)
• amanitas (1)
• bird's nest fungi (1)
• cauliflower mushrooms (1)
• discos (1)
• dog lichens (1)
• fairy fingers (1)
• false turkey tails (4)
• grisettes (1)
• heterosporium (1)
• houseplant mushrooms (1)
• inky caps (1)
• jack-o-lanterns (2)
• lace lichen - also (3)
• lichen (4)
• lichen - also (1)
• mycenoids (2)
• oyster mushrooms (2)
• phellinus (1)
• russulas (1)
• slime molds (3)
• sulfur tufts (1)
• turkey tails (1)
• waxy caps (1)
• witch's butters (2)
• wolf's milk (1)

index: gastropods

labels last updated: 10/16/13
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.  Any 'also' included with a label indicates a gastropod that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

• * all gastropods (15)
• abalone (1)
• banana slugs (5)
• banana slugs - also (2)
• bladder snails (2)
• floating sea snails (1)
• native horn snails (2)
• non-native horn snails (1)
• sea slugs (1)
• snails (8)
• turban snails (2)

index: herps

labels last updated: 11/12/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.
Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.

• * all herps (58)
• * amphibians (17)
• * reptiles (41)
• alligator lizards (2)
• arboreal salamanders (2)
• ca giant salamanders (1)
• ca kingsnakes (2)
• ca newts (4)
• ca newts - also (1)
• ca slender salamanders (1)
• climbing salamanders (2)
• common garter snakes (3)
• ensatinas (1)
• fence lizards (10)
• garter snakes (4)
• giant salamander family (1)
• gopher snakes (5)
• horned lizards (5)
• lizards (18)
• lungless salamander family (5)
• newt family (5)
• pacific chorus frogs (6)
• pacific giant salamanders (1)
• pacific newts (5)
• racers (2)
• rattlesnakes (1)
• ring-necked snakes (2)
• rough-skinned newts (1)
• rough-skinned newts - also (3)
• rubber boas (1)
• salamanders/newts (11)
• santa lucia mountains slender salamanders (1)
• skinks (1)
• slender salamanders (2)
• snakes (18)
• striped racers (2)
• turtles (4)
• western terrestrial garter snakes (1)
• whiptails (1)
• yellow-bellied racers (1)
• yellow-eyed ensatinas (1)

index: insects

labels last updated: 11/12/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Entomology was my field of study.  I've been undecided on how to label insects given my general blog audience, recent classification changes, and the overwhelming abundance of "bug" names, hence the mishmash shown below. Compared to other groups, I have relatively few insects featured on Nature ID, mainly because it's a lucky day if my temperamental old point-and-shoot focuses properly on such small moving animals.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.  Any 'also' included with a label indicates an insect that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

(see also index: lepidoptera)

• * all insects (192)
• ants (3) Hymenopetera
• bees - also (2)
• beetles - also (4)
• blister beetles (1) Coleoptera
• bluets (1) pond damselflies
• bumble bees (2) Hymenoptera 
• burying beetles (1) Coleoptera
• caddisflies (1) Trichoptera
• camel crickets (1) Orthoptera
• carrion beetles (1) Coleoptera
• click beetles (1) Coleoptera
• coleoptera (12) beetles
• crane flies (2) Diptera
• cucumber beetles (1) Coleoptera
• cucumber beetles - also (2)
• dancers (3) pond damselflies
• darkling beetles (2) Coleoptera
• darners (3) dragonflies
• dragonflies and damselflies (10) Odonata
• flies (3) Diptera
• flies - also (2)
• grasshoppers and crickets (2) Orthoptera
• grasshoppers and crickets - also (1)
• honey bees (5) Hymenoptera
• honey bees - also (1) 
• hymenoptera (13) ants, bees, wasps
• hymenoptera - also (2)
• ichneumonids (1) Hymenoptera
• lady beetles (1) Coleoptera
• leaf beetles (2) Coleoptera
• longhorn beetles (3) Coleoptera
• mantids (1)
• mayflies (1) Ephemeroptera
• meadowhawks (3) Odonata
• scarab beetles (1) Coleoptera
• snakeflies (4) Raphidioptera, formerly Neuroptera
• solider beetles (1) Coleoptera
• spider wasps (1) Hymenoptera
• termites - also (1) formerly Isoptera
• true bugs (2) Hemiptera, now includes formerly Homoptera
• wasps (3) Hymenoptera
• wasps - also (1) 
• water striders (1) Hemiptera
• yellowjackets (1) Hymenoptera
• yellowjackets - also (2)

index: lepidoptera

labels last updated: 02/10/16
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.  Any 'also' included with a label indicates a lep that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

• * AS field trips (16)
• * butterfly fingers (6)
• * butterfly highway (30)
• * caterpillars (18)
• * CT field trips (19)
• * CW field trips (1)
• * egg-laying (2)
• * Hastings Count (1)
• * hilltopping (3)
• * lep host plants (1)
• * migration event (1)
• * mud-puddling (9)
• * nectaring (32)
• * Pinnacles Count (2)
• * PJ field trips (12)
• * pupae (7)
• * rearing cats and pupae (20)
• * white sheet lighting (9)
• acmon/lupini blues (12)
• annaphila (4)
• blues (21)
• blues - also (1)
• boisduval's blues (1)
• buckeye butterflies (1)
• butterflies (97)
• ca hairstreaks (1)
• ca sisters (2)
• cabbage whites (2)
• checkerspots (8)
• clearwing moths (1)
• commas (4)
• common ringlet (2)
• coppers (5)
• crescents (7)
• cucullia (3)
• day-flying moths (10)
• dotted spotted blues (1)
• duskywings (1)
• echo blues (2)
• edith's checkerspots (2)
• elfins (3)
• gabb's checkerspots (1)
• geometrid moths (5)
• gorgon coppers (2)
• gray hairstreaks (4)
• great coppers (1)
• greenish blues (1)
• hairstreaks (10)
• hedgerow hairstreaks (3)
• large yellow underwing (3)
• lepidoptera (140)
• lophocampa (6)
• lorquin's admirals (1)
• marbles (1)
• melissa blues (1)
• metalmarks (3)
• monarchs (6)
• moths (42)
• mountain mahogany hairstreaks (2)
• oak moths (3)
• orange tortrix (2)
• oreas commas (1)
• owlet moths (15)
• painted tiger moths (4)
• parnassians (1)
• pygmy blues (1)
• Sara orangetips (2)
• satyr commas (3)
• silvery blues (1)
• skippers (3)
• small brown butterflies (9)
• small grey butterflies (27)
• snout moths (1)
• sonoran blues (1)
• sonoran blues - also (2)
• speyeria - also (3)
• sphinx moths (2)
• sulphurs (1)
• swallowtails (4)
• sylvan hairstreaks (1)
• tailed coppers (1)
• tortoiseshells (1)
• tussock moths (2)
• unidentified woollybear (4)
• vanessas (5)
• variable checkerspots (5)
• whites (8)
• whites - also (1)
• wood-nymphs (1)

index: mammals

labels last updated: 11/10/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.  Any 'also' included with a label indicates a mammal that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

• * all mammals (65)
• * mammals (marine) (29)
• * mammals (non-marine) (36)
• american beavers (1)
• black rats (1)
• black-tailed deer (13)
• bobcats (1)
• bobcats - also (2)
• cats (1)
• coyotes (1)
• dolphins and whales (3)
• dusky-footed woodrat (3)
• dusky-footed woodrat - also (3)
• elephant seals (5)
• fallow deer (3)
• fawns (3)
• fox squirrels (1)
• gray squirrels (2)
• ground squirrels (5)
• harbor seals (7)
• harbor seals - also (1)
• mice (1)
• moles (1)
• rabbits (2)
• sea lions (10)
• sea otters (5)
• shrews (1)
• squirrels (8)

index: marine life

labels last updated: 11/12/14
For the most updated list, please see my complete index to Nature ID page.

Number of entries from the last update are in parentheses.  Any 'also' included with a label indicates marine life that is mentioned or shown but is not the featured ID of the post.

(see also seabirds, shorebirds, waterbirds and green algae, which may include marine life that is not listed below)

• * all marine life (92)
• * grunion greeting (33)
• * mammals (marine) (29)
• * squid boats (9)
• * wrack (6)
• abalone (1)
• amphipods (2)
• anchovies (4)
• barnacles (3)
• beach hoppers (2)
• bivalves (1)
• brown algae (4)
• cephalopods (2)
• comb jellies (1)
• crabs (10)
• cusk-eels (3)
• dolphins and whales (3)
• eel-grasses (1)
• elephant seals (5)
• fish (18)
• floating sea snails (1)
• grunion (14)
• harbor seals (7)
• harbor seals - also (1)
• hermit crabs (3)
• jellyfish (6)
• kelp (3)
• kelp - also (3)
• leopard sharks (1)
• lingcods (1)
• marine molluscs (11)
• native horn snails (2)
• non-native horn snails (1)
• pricklebacks (1)
• razor clams (1)
• red algae (3)
• rock crabs (3)
• salps (1)
• sand crabs (3)
• sand dollars (2)
• sardines (1)
• sea anemones (1)
• sea butterflies (1)
• sea lettuce (1)
• sea lions (10)
• sea otters (5)
• sea slugs (1)
• sea stars (2)
• seaweeds (6)
• sharks and rays (2)
• shore crabs (1)
• small silvery fish (16)
• squid (2)
• surf-grasses (4)
• turban snails (2)
• zoochlorellae - also (1)