R: Northern Flicker.
Today I went outside. It was not particularly exceptional. But it was OUTSIDE. Haven’t been Naturing in forever. Been dealing with a tenacious but low level cold that kept me out of commission for a bit. Suckola. But today I was SO READY.
As it was an unusually warm August day today, I opted for the literally coolest spot I can always count on to keep things nice and mild. Pacifica.
And for whatever reason, I’ve been thinking about Milagra Ridge lately. I believe the last time we were there we saw SO MANY HUMPBACKS. But did I see A ONE today? No. Ah, well. I should monitor that Facebook group that shares Pacifica whale sightings more often…
HOWEVER. Pacifica was oddly bright and sunny, which was a sharp contrast to the overcast and chilly windy West of SF. And while I didn’t see a lot that knocked my socks off at Milagra, it looked GORGEOUS in the dazzling sunshine it rarely sees.
But as a result, that “heat” kept practically all of the birds out of sight while I was there. I need to remember that Afternoon Naturing in the Summer should really start no earlier than 5pm. I was there too early. The birds were all hiding.
After starting out on the Milagra Ridge Trail (South end, of course), I spotted some darling White Stonecrop flowers near the first crest. This spot is also where I ALWAYS see at least two Butterflies duking it out. And today was no different. An American Lady immediately paused to pose for me and was soon after joined by what I think was another American Lady in a fierce battle for the top. Nice to know some things continue to hold true.
Also in the area, and below on the hillside, was some Coyote Mint. Not much, but those bright purpley inflorescence flowers are hard to miss. And sweet Seaside Buckwheat, whose white and pink flower balls are always so charming. One in particular looked like a magnificent coral reef creature. Or scoop of sherbert. Or both?
Among the infinite amount of Coyote Brush were some Oregon Gumplants flowering with their signature white ooze, a handful of Coast Paintbrush, and just a hint of California Phacelia, I think? Late Summer really makes you hunt for the native flowers!
A Red-tailed Hawk suddenly appeared overhead and was later joined by a second one, which must have irked the many Common Ravens nearby.
Though I heard an occasional rustling in the brush, I wasn’t able to spot a single bird on the sun-drenched trail. Not even ONE FLIPPIN’ Western Fence Lizard was seen!! I couldn’t believe it. Are all the wildlife in Pacifica just entirely freaked out when it’s sunny and warm out? Like they have NO IDEA how to handle it??
It was in that moment that I realized that I should’ve totally gone to Mori Point to look for Snakes. Dang.
But I did hear a Wrentit calling. And saw one flowering Pink Honeysuckle. And noticed some Coyote scat on the trail. Plus a decent amount of flowering Pearly Everlasting. And Pacific Aster. And loads of Orange Bush Monkeyflower. And one flowering Creeping Snowberry.
Yeah, seems like a lot when it’s all listed out. But it was ohsoquiet in so many respects. I admit I appreciated having most of the park site to myself. But it felt a bit lonely out there on the ridge.
It’s times like these, when I’m not inundated by flora and fauna catching my eye that my thoughts turn to taking in the landscape. The plant community. Noticing how funny it is that there are signs on Milagra Ridge indicating there is Mission Blue Butterfly habitat there. Though, working for the Parks Conservancy, I know that Mission Blues are not at this park site.
Yes, their habitat is indeed here. Was restored. For the Mission Blues they transplanted. But didn’t survive to thrive, sadly. So, habitat = yes. Actual Blues = no.
I rounded out a corner on the ridge and spotted a Great Horned Owl feather on the side of the trail. Like I do.
There was a sea of Giant Viper’s-bugloss on the hillside below. And their flowers all mostly seemed dried out. So they all stood there individually. And looked like a forest of dark aliens, just standing there. Moving with the wind. Creepy.
Passed the lone Monterey Pine Tree (that you can see from the sea level below) and thought of the alltoovivid story of how a local woman tied/chained herself to said tree, putting herself in front of a bulldozer of some kind. Which my former director at the Parks Conservancy was driving! This local woman refused to let this one tree be cut down, so it stayed. Can never not think of it whenever I see this tree now.
Just past the Nike Missile Site, I got to see some fun Coast Dudleya popping up in between the Coyote Brush. And I realized that there seems to be a good amount of native Succulents. Which are Butterfly host plants. Shouldn’t there be more Butterflies?
I finished up the loop and ended back where I started. Where I always have to stop and look for BUNNIES. Because they are seemingly always in the same spot. Each and every time I visit Milagra Ridge. Right behind the apartment complexes, facing the park site. Near the fence.
And, INDEED. There was a Brush Rabbit back there! There were also so many dang birds in the Monterey Pine Trees right there. Loads of Pygmy Nuthatches. A Hairy Woodpecker. Song Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows and a California Scrub-Jay somewhere and a Spotted Towhee somewhere else and what I’m guessing was a juvenile Spotted Towhee that sounded kind of like a truly disturbed cow?
They were ALL in this one place. Protected from the intense but deliciously refreshing ocean breezes. It was also close to 6pm. Gotta start later until it starts to get notably darker earlier.
And then a FLASH of RED flew through and landed at the top of another Pine. Northern Flicker! They almost NEVER DO THAT. Just come out of nowhere and land perfectly in view? Never. Never ever. Except today. Which really took my breath away, as they always do when they fully show themselves.
I watched it for a bit. Taking photos. Admiring the utterly uniqueness of this bird that has no reason to look like a piece of art. And then it decided to return to wherever the heck it came from. And made its Baby Raptor cries. And it seemed like I had gotten enough of a show at the trailhead that it was time to head out. Can’t complain when I end with a Brush Rabbit AND a Northern Flicker. Nope!
