Snack buddy with impeccable taste. #Euphydryas_chalcedona #VariableCheckerspot #Monardella_sinuata_nigrescens #CurlyLeavedMonardella #CNPS1B2

My neighbor who has lived next door for over 60 years has insane Amaryllis. And Poinsettas, of course. #OaklandRules

Species native to both California and Chile are fascinating. How did that happen? #Plagiobothrys_fulvus #FieldPopcornFlower

Seems Thrashers just chill- as a species, they have high site fidelity. DNA analysis uncovers geologic events. These birds reacted to pressures: glaciation, an ancient connection of the Central Valley to the Pacific Ocean, the rise of the Transverse Mtns. #CaliforniaThrasher #Toxostoma_Redivivum

First #Callophrys_dumetorum, #BrambleHairstreak of the year.

Just simply one of the most fantastic native trees. In a few weeks, the fragrance of thousands of flowers will cloak each tree. #Aesculus_californica, #CaliforniaBuckeye #snackbuddy

That red eye is otherworldly. #HornedGrebe #Podiceps_auritus #lunchbuddy

An early spring bloom. #Pedicularis_densiflora, #WarriorsPlumeLousewort #hemiparasite

Cute as a button. #Peltigera_venosa, #FanLichen

A short discussion on how difficult it is to see native species in Hawaiʻi brought up this memory of seeing this native plant in the Honuaʻula Forest. This plant is used to make fish baskets and nets. Favored food of the ʻalalā, Hawaiʻian Crow. #Freycinetia_arborea, ʻIeʻie #IeIe

Spring has sprung! #Adelinia_grandis, #PacificHoundsTongue.

Marveling at the diversity in Amanita. #Amanita_augusta #Amanita_calyptroderma