Tales From the Trails

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Griffith Park

Two-toned tidytips (above)

Terracina spurge? (above: whatever it is, the bees loved this plant.)

California hedge nettle (above)

Slender pectocarya? (above)

Cheeseweed (above)

Caterpillar phacelia (above)

Collar lupine (above)

Gazania's

Gazania's exploding along hillside in Griffith Park.

My First California Poppy

Located near the Griffith Park Landfill.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Verdugo's: Brand Park

Downtown Glendale and LA (above)

Burbank (above)

I took a hike this evening in the Vedugo's from Brand Park since my student was sick. We're expecting another storm to bring a weekend of rain again. There were lots of wildflowers blooming at the base of the mountain, and I noticed many winged insects for the first time today. Just two months to go before Dan and I hit the trail. I've got a ton to do still, although I'm just about finished with my resupply list which I feel good about.

Wildflowers: Verdugo's

Bush senecio (above)

lupine (above)

Coastal lotus (above)

Wishbone bush (above)

Blue dicks (above)

Suncups (above)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Griffith Park: March 1, 2010

Chia (above)

Climbing bedstraw (above)

Windmill pink (above)

Caterpillar phacelia (above)

I was feeling kind of sick today, but I thought I'd take a quick hike in Griffith Park this evening to get some fresh air (if that's possible in LA). I thought about leaving the camera behind but decided to bring it just in case. (My second or third time hiking in the Angeles National Forest last year I came face to face with a bear. We were probably about 30 yards apart and nothing separating us except a few small bushes and a little ravine. It was the perfect picture opportunity and of course I forgot my camera! I couldn't believe I was seeing a bear only 15 to 20 minutes from the second biggest city in the country! Anyways, I learned to always bring my camera.)

Although I did not cross paths with any bears in Griffith Park, I did stumble across some new wildflower specimens. I doubted I'd see anything new today, but I should know by now that all it takes is a week and new wildflowers join the party.