R: Fragrant Funnel?
Today was supposed to be my monthly day trip day. But I had too many errands. HOWEVER! I did make it outside city limits! Not too shabby?
I’ve been curious about San Bruno Mountain lately. As always. How the landslide areas are doing. So I headed out to the Ecological Reserve to check it out.
I foolishly thought I wouldn’t need a coat/jacket. It felt warm enough running errands in SF. And Brisbane is always warmer. But, no. I did need a coat/jacket. My fabulously upcycled Naturing jacket (courtesy of Carol) was not enough today. While I absolutely WELCOME the cooler temps, I do not welcome the idea of having to have two different kinds of jacket/coat with me now. Because how can I know what I’ll need til I’m there? I am sadly one of THOSE people now.
Anyhoo, upon my arrival I could tell lots had happened since my last visit. There was TONS of baby plants, waymoreso than the last time. I couldn’t help but just stand there and be amazed at all of it coming up from the rubble. Yes, I’m certain I said this exact same thing last time. Before me were lovely Deerweed and California Hedgenettle and California Sagebrush and Bluewitch Nightshade and California Beeplant. And Toyon berries were EVERYWHERE.
Soon heard a Northern Flicker and a Wrentit. And after I noticed a Red-tailed Hawk high up on a transmission tower, I caught sight of a smaller raptor hanging out in a bare (save for the many fruits) California Buckeye tree! I wasn’t sure if it was a Cooper’s Hawk or Sharp-shinned, since the comparison notes in Merlin’s Bird ID app are really only helpful if they’re each side by side to compare with. NOT HELPFUL. So I IDed it once I got home. Sharp-shinned!
In another California Buckeye nearby, some Yellow-rumped Warblers were posing nicely for me. The Coyote Brush were blooming. Bunny scat and I believe Bobcat scat (on a rock) were in sight. And I got to see one of the Buckeye fruits popping open.
I heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet then a Northern Flicker, and I was soon able to find both. But no good photos. The fairly usual outcome there.
Afterwards, I spotted fungi! Didn’t expect to see any before getting into the Oak forest. Maybe Fragrant Funnel? Also, some Coyote Brush Bud Gall Midges were here and there.
Made my way to where the trail meets and crosses the creek bed. Lots growing in there, AND there was still FLIPPIN’ WATER THERE! Not running. Trickling. But I couldn’t believe it. Was it from recentish rain? Could it possibly be, since we haven’t had that much yet??
I started up the trail that goes up to the top, but it was a bit wetter than I would’ve liked. Yes, Carol and Dan did give me fantastic walking poles a while ago, but I haven’t used them yet. I’m hoping to break them in with those two on a Naturing outing for my first time. So I soon headed back down. My timing sucked, though. I was planning to end my time there around sunset, to see if I might hear the Great Horned Owl there. But it was particularly chilly right then. I forgot how strong the breeze blows through Buckeye Canyon!
On my way back, I spotted a California Scrub-Jay in a distant California Buckeye tree. Amazed I got a photo of it in focus, given all the branches between us!
After admiring autumny Pacific Poison Oak berries and more California Hedgenettle, I heard A CROAK. And then ANOTHER CROAK. Now, these frog sounds sounded somewhat different from the usual Sierran Tree Frog sounds I know. Were these bigger frogs?? Or just in a particular location where they sounded larger??
I went to investigate, but of course they stopped croaking as I made my way there. Stopped and stood still as long as I could, hoping to hear it again. NOPE.
But in the area, I noticed blooming Orange Bush Monkeyflower and California Beeplant. Looking perfectly in bloom. The insanely warm Fall entirely tricked them. Oh, and gorgeous Common Sunburst Lichen was on a log in front of me. A Hermit Thrush popped up, realized I was looking at it, and zoomed away. And a Wrentit sang beyond, quite loud and clear.
I stepped out of the Reserve and heard bird sounds from a nearby Toyon tree. A Hermit Thrush and a couple other birds I couldn’t make out were partaking of the plentiful berries. I stood there for a bit, trying to get decent photos of the Thrush (nope), when I heard rustling in the Toyon tree behind me. A Northern Mockingbird was deep in the tree. Moved around a bit. Came out and into a bare shrub right in front of me! It was immediately uncertain of the situation, so it quickly flew into the other Toyon tree, chasing away a Sparrow of some kind.
If I’d had a better coat/jacket on me, I would’ve stayed longer. Visited the other entrance to Owl Canyon. Or maybe even the Firth Park/Canyon entrance. But, no. Wasn’t dressed properly. So excited I now need to dress warmer for Naturing!
Pretty happy I got to visit my favorite side of San Bruno Mountain today. And check in on all that’s going on there right now.
