Between the Raindrops: Vernal Pools at Stanford University

Heading into rehearse Carmina Burana at the Bing Performing Arts Center for one of several dress rehearsals the other evening, I heard a chorus of what sounded like a thousand Pacific Chorus Frogs - odd because I couldn't think of any body of water nearby. Jasper the wonderful pooch-from-Taiwan and I returned the next day to scout out the frogs home. Just off Bing, we found glorious vernal pools. As you probably know, vernal pools are temporary. The form from rain runoff when the ground is saturated, as it is by our recent crazy California rain season. Jasper and I didn't find any frogs during the day, but he thoroughly enjoyed the tasty grasses.

San Francisco Field Trip:Academy of Sciences - Golden Gate Park

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, provides us with an indoor rainforest, macaws, fish and reptiles from around the world, and - oh yeah- an albino alligator named Claude.

Wildflowers: Lupines at Stanford University

Lupines

Stanford University is famous for it's educational resources, and Silicon Valley connections.Though less discussed,  it's also home to  some of my favorite native trees and flowers.

CA Wildflowers: How 'Bout them Blue Eyes?

Nemophila menziesii
Baby Blue Eyes

Stanford University is famous for it's educational resources, and Silicon Valley connections.Though less discussed,  it's also home to  some of my favorite native trees and flowers.

Fantasy Quilt: Toyon Time

My fantasy quilt, chock full of Plugas Ridge toyon berries, stitched up in less than an hour. Doesn't it look warm and toasty?

What's Next? My View from the March - Oakland California

Estimated 60,000 folks marched in Oakland CA

Because We Matter

Because There's a Lot to be Done

What's Next for Me? Increased Political Involvement - The Latino Vote for me - I'm connecting via the San Mateo County Democratic Party

In Between Raindrops - Succulents and More Stanford University

Can you spot my happy pooch Jasper posing in front of the Stanford family Mausoleum?
He wanted me to show him off more - so I put a great big version at the bottom of this post!

The Stanford Succulent Gardens, known officially as the "Arizona Garden", is a great walk with or without a favorite pooch alongside. We're enjoying a short break between rain storms - though you'll never hear us complaining after several years of drought! - and this outdoor arboretum is the perfect place for a low-key outing. 

That Agave Americana- also known as a Century Plant - is so exciting to see in bud! Jasper Dog and I are going to go as often as possible to keep an eye on that once in it's lifetime bloom.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_americana

http://bgm.stanford.edu/groups/grounds/special/arizona