Sunday, March 11, 2012

Hawks Ahead (Marsh Hawk/Northern Harrier Hawk)



Click on the illustration to get up close and personal with this lovely   hawk.


I saw this gorgeous fellow, and his mate, yesterday at Edgewood Park. These days they are commonly referred to as Northern Harrier Hawks, but since I first saw Circus cyaneus at the Palo Alto Baylands, I prefer the good old fashioned sobriquet of Marsh Hawk.



Saturday, March 10, 2012

Nature's Mardi Gras OR You won't catch me K'Vetching!


Click on the illustration above to start celebratin' a little natural Mardi Gras spirit on the Clarkia Trail at Edgewood Park, San Mateo County, California in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Leapus Forward- Jumpin' Jackrabbit Style





Click on the illustration above, to put a little Spring into your step
I knew this giant jackrabbit heading down the Edgewood Park trail in my direction today was trying to tell me something.

Turns out this coming Sunday marks our daylight savings changeover. Yup it's time to leap forward an hour. I don't think this particular Lepus californicus has any health concerns when it comes to springing forward, though many people do. According to this article early alarms puts the population at a greater risk of heart attack.

"Lepus", no kidding. This gigantic fella was leapus-ing to beat the band. 





Sunday, March 4, 2012

Bloomin' Madness, Western Style

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Click on the illustration above, for the full rich madness of 
blooming Western Leatherwood.

My perfect study break is heading over to Edgewood Park between classes.

I've been watching and waiting for these Leatherwood buds to burst out into their blooming' heyday.

Their time was brief, but lovely. I know what trail I'll be hiking next year, waiting for a little more of my kind of March Madness.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Foetid Adder's Tongue: If I was a fly...



Click on the Pulgas Ridge Foetid Adder's Tongue illustration above
For a fly's eye view 


If I was a fly
I'd think I had died,
And was on my way to heaven


'Cause what could smell more delicious to me, 
 as I'm sensing along with my micro antennae,
then the rotting aroma of Scoliopus bigelovii?


Though they say I resemble a serpent's tongue, 
That's not what brings the fellas on,
My lovely putriferous odor's the charm.