R: Rough-skinned Newt.
Today we came back to visit Lake Lagunitas. It was our second time. I’d seen an INSANE HAUL of Fungi from the area for the Fungus Fair we hosted at Tunnel Tops (for work) back on February 1st. And ever since, I’ve been dying to check it out!
While we didn’t see anywhere NEAR the amount of variety (due to staying on trails), we did see a good amount of variety for a random Naturing outing. Including a handful of newtome specimens!
The last time we were there, we were charmed by the homemade signs for Newt Crossings. And I was absolutely hoping to see one this time around. We ended up seeing SEVEN!!
But first things first. Started off IMMEDIATELY seeing what looked to be Questionable Stropharia after starting on the Lake Lagunitas Loop. Followed by some Red-breasted Mergansers and Canada Geese on the lake. Plus many a Pacific Hound’s Tongue, in various shades of pink and purple and blue. Other Fungi soon followed, like Scurfy Twiglets and possibly Mulch Maids, Dyer’s Polypore, Hairy Curtain Crust, and Golden Ear (which I thought was Witches’ Butter, until I looked at my photos up close and noticed Turkey-Tail underneath!).
It was around that time that a handful of Hooded Mergansers appeared on the lake, too. Brian saw that Wood Ducks (male and female, the latter of which I’ve never seen before!) were also on the lake. Then I heard a Belted Kingfisher, which we got to see diving into the water and coming back out again! Never saw one do that before! We were never able to get good looks of that Kingfisher again, but it teased us for most of our visit.
Some newtome Turtles were on a fallen tree in the lake, as well! A couple that walked past us let us know about them. I’m fairly certain I’ve never seen this species before? Best guess on iNat is the Florida Redbelly Turtle. Is that possible??
And then stream parts that looked MAYBE inviting for a Newt started to appear alongside the trail. From what I can tell, they like ponds and parts in water that are mostly still. AND, THERE ONE WAS! It was TOUGH to get a decent photo of it in the water, but it was THRILLING to see one. Wasn’t sure I’d get a chance this year! And it was Brian’s first time seeing one, to boot.
After chasing the Kingfisher and finding lots of random Fungi along the way, I noticed Yerba Buena where we were walking. After using planted Yerba Buena from the Crissy Field Center and Black Point Historic Gardens so often to make tea for our programs and events, I’m just delighted when I see it out in the wild.
Right after admiring a couple Iris blooms (perhaps Bowltube Iris?) and a Spotted Towhee that gave me a stare-down, we came across some Gilled Polypore which led to finding something TRULY BIZARRE. This clump of fungus was on the side of a log and about as big as my outstretched hand. It had fleshy folds that kinda looked like Peziza but was SO UNIQUE unto itself.
iNat’s best guess is LEAFY BRAIN. And I’m (of course) IN LOVE with this common name! If it IS that, it’s a parasitic fungus that grows on the mycelium of a Stereum fungus. This stuff is so nutso. And it was even MORE NUTSO that soon after I found some white blob thing that might be Crystal Brain Fungus?? Jelly Fungi. My new favorite thing!
We came upon another stream area that looked nice for Newts, and we SAW MORE NEWTS! Had to remind myself once I got home how to tell the difference between California Newts and Rough-skinned Newts. My memory was that one of them had a bright orange belly. NOPE. They both do. While their skin is differentish, it’s hard to tell when they’re in the water. But the Rough-skinned Newt has eyes that are not protruding. Whereas, the California Newt has protruding eyes. So the ones we were seeing on the North end of the lake were Rough-skinned Newts! And we ended up seeing a total of SIX, with one of them being quite small!!
After delighting in all the Newts, we rounded the East side. Spotting more Fungi, hearing that Kingfisher, and seeing some kind of newtome (I think) Gall on a Coast Live Oak tree.
As we approached the Coast Redwoods, we came upon what seemed like BAJILLIONS of Convergent Lady Beetles! They were SWARMING all around each other, all very close to other swarms. And all on the same side of the trail. So crazy when they do that.
A sea of Milkmaids led to gorgeous Stinking Orange Oyster and possibly Western Jumbo Gym? Then what looked like Western Jack-O’-Lantern, what might be Common Conecap, and what is likely a Leucopax? Can’t wait for more IDs to come in from iNat.
A couple of baby Pacific Trilliums and a California Fetid Adderstongue plant (with no flowers, boo) greeted us as we rounded the SouthWest corner. And what lay ahead was a sprinkling of red delicious Waxcaps in the grass. A hiker passing us inquired about the Waxcaps we were looking at and let us know that he almost stepped on a Newt crossing the trail ahead!
And, guess what. Brian spotted a Newt crossing the trail ahead!! Such a treat to see one out of the water and just casually walking across the trail. We alerted an oncoming mountain biker to keep to the other side of the trail, and then we watched it slowly get to the other side. As I was taking photos of it from the side, it stopped. Just before it got to the trail edge. With its back right foot in mid-step. It kept completely still. Which enabled me to get a decent photo! I finally moved, and it resumed its way.
Turns out, it was a California Newt! Protruding eyes! So we saw TWO Pacific Newts today, WOW!!!
After spotting the Red-breasted Merganers again in the same area as before, I caught sight of a prime Warrior’s Plume in bloom. And we were about at the end of the Loop. With just enough time to head up the Shady Side Trail that loops around Bon Tempe Lake. I’ve seen Pacific Trillium there twice before, so I was curious to see if any were out yet.
NOPE. But we did see a bold Spotted Towhee out in the open for a bit. And another Belted Kingfisher swooped over the creek. AND, a flippin’ Turkey Vulture was on the trail ahead of us. Slowly walked down the side of the trail, after playing Peek-A-Boo with us, then decided we were too much and flew out to a nearbyish tree. Close encounter with a Turkey Vulture on a trail. That’s a first for me!
A singing or calling Pacific Wren was out for a brief moment. And after seeing a bit of Bon Tempe Lake (since Brian hasn’t been there yet), we finished the Loop. But in that area, where the marshy bits were, is where I’ve usually seen a Great Blue Heron. And, whaddya know. After walking a bit toward Bon Tempe Lake, I spotted one! Guess birds can also be creatures of habit?
On the way to my car, I spotted some adorable mushrooms next to a Redwood. Some young Questionable Stropharia? In three different stages of youth. Frickin’ ADORBS.
So we didn’t end up seeing what I was hoping to find there. But we saw A TON. Not too shabby for a relatively small lake. And way more NEWTS than I could ever dream of seeing today!
