Last Nature Walk of 2019

My sister and I managed to fit in a nice little hike at Foothills Park before she had to catch her flight. It’s possible that I’ll get a little more hiking done before the end of the year, but this was definitely a very nice walk to cap off the decade with. We met a surprising number of cute critters, and even saw a bobcat, although he was too far away to photograph.

Arboreal salamander. These guys have quite a set of jaws on them for salamanders, although I’ve never personally been bitten by one. They’re usually pretty chill, in my experience.

California slender salamander

California slender salamander

Little white mushrooms in grass

A baby california slender salamander in their classic defensive/resting pose

California newt hanging out on a log

Feather millipede refusing to pose for the camera

Camel cricket

Oak branches against a blue sky

Trees being majestic and stuff

California Nature Walk

I’ve mostly been hanging out with family and getting to know my cousin’s new baby, but my sister and I managed to get in some fun nature time. We found many excellent creatures and plants around a vernal pond we’ve been visiting since we were little.

Pacific treefrog

Newt egg sacks with daphnia clinging on the outside. When those newts hatch, daphnia will be their main food source.

Baby California newt

Baby California newts, and a dragonfly larvae. Dragonfly larvae are one of their main predators at this stage in life.

An adult male California newt (Taricha torosa) in breeding conditon. Males swell up and their skin gets smoother at breeding time.

The same male newt. California newts are extremely poisonous, and that bright orange belly is a warning. Do not handle them if you have any open cuts or scratches, and always wash hands thoroughly before eating after touching one.

California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus)

Another slender salamander

Turkey tail fungus (probably)

More turkey tails

They’re just really pretty mushrooms. I like them.

Some final turkey tails

Western fence lizard who was not at all intimidated by me or my phone. These lizards cleanse the local ticks of Lyme disease. They’re awesome.

Stink beetle

Fuzzy caterpillar. Not sure what species.

Another fuzzy caterpillar

Pretty orange wildflowers

Wild garlic. I think.

Pretty white wildflowers

Wild garlicky thing with a tiny beetle friend

An oak tree that broke since the last time I hiked here

Eucalyptus trees

Oak trees and the bay area hills