R: Some bizarre fungi!
Today I was supposed to go Owling with friends, but priorities shifted. But I went out anyway! Figured I’d check it out, since I had no other priority than OWLING today. And tomorrow I’ll have no time for Naturing, as I have an acting gig. Had to get out today!
Walked along the edge of the Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve, and while I did not see or hear any Spotted Owl there, my time wasn’t entirely OWLLESS. But more on that later.
It’s mostly a Coast Redwood forest, with some California Bays and Pacific Madrones. With all those trees, I was only able to see/hear a handful of birds. Like a California Scrub-Jay, Hermit Thrushes, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Hairy Woodpecker.
But at one point, I heard a Pileated Woodpecker as it flew high above the tall trees, followed by ANOTHER Pileated Woodpecker making the same noises and flying seemingly right behind the first one. Neato!
Because there was not as much wildlife to see, I focused my attention on the less-loved plants. Like Crescent-cup Liverwort, Broad-leaved Helleborine, Common Powderhorn lichen (?), Selwyn’s Smoothcap moss, Fragrant Bedstraw (that I forgot to smell), Western Sword Fern, and Goldback Fern.
Notable non-plants were a small Banana Slug, some trippy white fungi that had entirely covered a fallen log, and maybe an Artist’s Conk fungi that looked either like Frankenstein skin or Strawberries & Cream ice cream??
But what I soaked up the most while there (not finding Owls) was the truly GORGEOUS Fall colors thanks to a bunch of Bigleaf Maple trees scattered throughout. Much of the trail was covered in their leaves. And Larkspur Creek was surrounded by them. Still planning to get out for a Fall Color day trip this month, but this was a sweet start to the season.
I was on my way back when I heard A HOOT. Now, this is a hoot I KNOW. Yes, a Great Horned Owl started hooting just before sunset. And as I approached where I had started my Naturing time, I heard ANOTHER HOOT. From ANOTHER GHO. Was on my way to my car when I heard YET ANOTHER HOOT. That’s right. THREE GHOs were along that trail!
It’s a comfort to know that when I fail to see the Owl I’m looking for, I still sometimes get Owling in unintentionally. No photos. It was too thick a forest. I was too far from where they were exactly. And it was too dark. But they’re there. Three male GHOs. Wonder who’ll end up keeping the territory!
