February 24 - slough spring

Spring is definitely getting up a head of steam, and the heat is provided by the need to reproduce. Here we see the flowers of one of our signature trees, the Coast Live Oak.



Another oak, on a slightly different timetable, was putting out new leaves.

These radar-dish shaped leaves mark the blossoms of Miner's Lettuce.

Also in business is the state flower, the California Poppy, doing its part to add vibrant colors to the landscape.

Even the pine trees - in this case, a Monterey Pine - are putting on a flower show.

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The little cups of the yellow lichen, Xanthoria parietina, are fruiting bodies. Ditto the cups of the pale geen Oakmoss Lichen, Evernia prunastri.

And it's still a good time for shroom views.

Like the oaks, our Arroyo Willows are also in multiple stages of budding and flowering.

A closer look at a willow blossom.

The animals are also getting busy – in several of our guzzlers, the eggs of Pacific Tree Frogs (Pseudacris regilla) can be found attached to blades of grass and twigs.

Finally, one of the surest signs of spring is the return of the Tree Swallows.