R: Common Sunburst Lichen?
Today I went OUTSIDE. I can’t remember the last time I went Naturing. It feels like a former life away at the moment.
My dad passed away on July 17th, and it has been a lot to deal with since. But now that the funeral is done, I have a bit of free time on my days off again. And I’m eversograteful that I finished my To Do items today in time to spend time in my backyard.
I opted for the Greatest Hits. I mostly wanted to be able to look for my owls and just enjoy GGPark. So I did that.
Because I was going to spend the whole afternoon there, I simply walked out of our apartment and headed on foot. This is something I used to do seemingly every day back in pandemic times. And with the job, it’s become rarer and rarer. It’s fun to step back in time and remember those familiar rituals.
After crossing the ballfield, I entered Monarch Bear Grove. And despite the abundant sunshine, it was quiet. In fact, it felt like the whole park was quiet. Which was even more odd, since there were A LOT of people out and about for a Monday. Wasn’t insanely hot or insanely windy. Not sure what’s going on. Is this the new normal right now?
After exiting Monarch Bear Grove, I walked alongside the newish plantings where the new trails are that line the West edge of the meadow. All is looking nice there. And I could smell the lovely lavender below, which was delightful.
Cruised through the CAS Botanical Garden, which has new wood chips on the trails. No sign of Red-cage Fungus eggs. Boo. But a squeaky Dark-eyed Junco made his presence known as he appeared to forage for Yew berries. I’m sure I’ve already said at least once before what a comfort it is to see Dark-eyed Juncos. Literally, anywhere I go.
Other notable mentions in the CASBG were California Sweetshrubs in bloom (that I had to have Seek remind me the name of, oof) and a Yellow-faced Bumble Bee that happily stumbled (or bumbled?) into Himalayan Balsam flowers that were just about EVERYWHERE today.
Anne’s Garden was just BURSTING with flowers. Loved seeing the Scarlet Flax and newtome Max Chrysanthemum and even a bizarre Seep Monkeyflower around a tree in the meadow there. But the barrage of Farewell-to-Spring blooms in such a variety of shades of pink took my breath away.
After stopping to admire an unusually mute Steller’s Jay that overlooked the meadow, I made my way to Blue Heron Lake. Noting the tons of Licorice Plant that I had entirely forgotten was there.
Once I arrived at the Cherry Blossom Tree Spot outside the Japanese Tea Garden, I stopped to inspect the golden lichen on the branches and trunks. Common Sunburst Lichen? I hate forgetting that it’s SO WORTH IT to pause and take a photo of lichen so that I can blow it up when home to marvel at the shapes I’d never see casually. What are those cups for??
The Squirrel Lady was doing her thing at Squirrel Central. Ugh.
Up at BHL, a group of female Mallards were hanging in Turtle Cove. With the turtles. But I didn’t see other birds really on the lake. One Double-crested Cormorant at the island. More Mallards. That was about it. I didn’t even run into other birds until I was on the other side of the lake. Is this really normal this time of year??
With what’s currently going on in my head, I chose to stop at various benches throughout my time outside today. There’s so much to reflect on. So much to remember about my dad and think about my dad. I’m so glad I didn’t have any time constraints so I could indulge in that. Maybe it was a good thing not to have TOO MANY fauna distractions. Hm.
Nice to see some Japanese Honeysuckle blooms out, since they smell so sweet. After passing the pretty bridge, I was shocked to see one small Western Wallflower plant along the path. WHA?! Is it an experiment?
Two Pied-billed Grebes were on the lake near the boathouse. SO WEIRD not to see more birds on my route.
Headed to the picnic tables to see if the Dally Pines were in bloom, but when I got there the back trail that used to be CHOCK FULL OF THEM all showed that they had been cut down. The bases of the trees were still there though. Might they just grow back?
On the way to the Pioneer Trail, I was pleased to see white Bigleaf Hydrangea in bloom. But the rest of the trail was mostly uneventful. American Robins on the Pioneer Meadow, of course. One Black Phoebe at the picnic tables, of course. Roseleaf Sage and Pineapple Sage, of course. No other birds. WEIRD.
Some unexpected Bluecrown Passionflowers were a treat to see as I passed the CAS. If someone told me those were alien flowers, I’d absolutely believe that.
Saw some Blue Hibiscus blooms on the sidewalk side of the CASBG, which was a nice surprise. Totally forgot about those.
I entered the Owl Nursery Trail from the West end, which is so bizarre to me now. And I almost didn’t recognize the start of the Slime Mold Lab Trail. Because they finally cleared the tree bits blocking that end! AMAZING.
Once I realized where I was, I looked up at the fakenesttree. And there she was. In her usual spot. And I almost cried, seeing her there. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. It was PURE JOY to find her at all. And wonder what’s been going on with her since I last saw her, ohsolong ago.
It’s tough to see her well in her favored spot, so I moved around a bit until I got the best view (which was still obscured). And a man on a bike that I’ve seen before in the area a couple times (and have previously talked to about the Great Horned Owls of the East) stopped to ask me if there were any owls up there.
“Yep,” I replied and tried to describe where to look. Always seems pointless to do so if the person doesn’t have binocs, but they always ask.
After we started talking, I looked up again in my binocs to find her staring down right at me! I was hoping to see her face once before having to eventually head home. And she did. So happy to have seen her.
On my way to the Lily Pond, I heard the customary Nuttall’s Woodpecker that is almost always in the area. Love those familiar resident sounds.
The pond was indeed covered in algae. This exceptionally (?) windy year must be so hard on that pond. But a couple female Mallards were there. The resident Black Phoebe. And at least one Song Sparrow. TONS of Ivy-leaved Toadflax was in bloom, which I wasn’t expecting. Since I believe it’s invasive? And given how many other plants had been removed in the park that I saw today.
Rose Spirea was also a nice surprise. For some reason, I thought it bloomed earlier in the year.
And even though the pond is often battling the algae, those newish Waterlilies are still going strong!
While appreciating them, a Red-shouldered Hawk swooped into my view and landed in the usual tall Monterey Pines above the pond. Exciting! It just stood on a branch. Demurely looking around and below. Not crying!
Then I noticed a Great Blue Heron sitting in a tree just below, seemingly from where the Hawk swooped in from? The Heron moved about gingerly on those light branches. And soon flew to the East end! And the chase was on!
Eh, it landed in a euc and didn’t do anything special. But how thrilling to get to follow a bird like that. Like I used to do so often.
And that was it. It was time to head home. It was a mostly quiet and peaceful day out. Maybe it was just what I needed my first day back in some time. Love my old haunts. Love my old familiar park friends. Love my owls. Love my backyard. Love being back.
