2017 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[Robert]

Arnold,

The weather was poor most of the time we were in the area. The cloud deck hung low all day. Sometimes it was at ground level accompanied by driving rain. Needless to say we never saw the higher portions of Mount Diablo. There are a number of endemic species on Mount Diablo that I want to see. Calochortus pulchellus is one, as is Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp laevigata. The flowering season is just starting and there will be plenty of time to return, or at least I hope there will be time. The Snow Mountain area is a high priority for me, as are a number of sites in the Sierra Nevada. We will see how it all turns out. 

[Robert]

MORGAN TERRITORY PRESERVE

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Sacramento Weather

Weather: Rain Showers
Temperature, High:63 F, 17 C
                      Low:56 F, 13.5 C

On 6 February another series of intense storms arrived in Northern California. It was questionable if an outing would be practical, however with a last minute check of the weather forecast it was decided that an outing to the Mount Diablo area might be possible. We set off from Sacramento early on the morning of Wednesday, 8 February amidst a squall of heavy rain and wind. The hope was that the weather would improve and we could have a productive outing.

As you might have guessed by now Dalton is now a semi-permanent hiking companion with me on my botanical outings. He has other interests than botany, however he enjoys going out with me and the arrangement is mutually agreeable.



The Morgan Territory Preserve was our destination this day. The Preserve is located on the southeastern flank of Mount Diablo and is a reasonably remote region considering Mount Diablo’s proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area.

The greater San Francisco Bay Area is notorious for its traffic congestion and the discourteous, unsafe driving habits encountered. Fortunately traffic congestion was minimal and we arrived safely despite the awful driving encountered.

The staging area at the Preserve is located on a col (2,031 feet, 619 meters) between the summit Mount Diablo and some higher ridges to the southeast. When we arrived strong winds were driving the storm clouds through the col accompanied by a pelting rain. We dressed into our rain gear and set off to the northwest into the surrounding oak savannah.



Occasionally there would be a brief vista through the swirling, wind driven clouds.



The Blue Oak, Quercus douglasii, savannah we hiked through was still being used for cattle grazing, creating a situation where species diversity was limited and invasive species were prevalent. The gusting winds and rain made photography extremely difficult. Erodium botrys (pictured) was one of many weedy species seen.



Geranium molle was another common frequently seen weedy species.



There were native species such as the commonly found Sanicula crassicaulis. I did find a few Lomatium utriculatum in bloom, however the rain and wind prevented me from taking any photographs of this species.

[Robert]

Sanicula bipinnatifida was another frequently seen native species in this heavily grazed area.



This time of year Claytonia perfoliata can be found in lush stands in semi-shaded oak savannahs such as this one.



We hiked around for some distance hoping to find a more promising habitat to explore, however we soon decided this would be fruitless. Our best option was to return to our starting point and set out in a completely different direction.

One our way back, we did find a small area with rock out-croppings and some chaparral species. Cardimine californica was blooming abundantly in a shaded site, seen here with Toxicodendron diversilobum, Poison Oak, and Polypodium calirhiza.



In addition to the Cardimine, Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii grew with the Polypodium ferns. Here they can be seen as the tiny green rosettes at the base of the ferns.



Considering the cattle range, it was refreshing to see Chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum. At this site there, at least, might be the possibility to find something different.

[Robert]

Ah! There indeed were a few interesting species. I was very pleased to find Ceanothus cuneatus var. ramulosus in this area. This variety has unique obovate to round, truncate tipped foliage that is often notched at the tip. The flowers are pale blue to lavender, while as variety cuneatus generally has white flowers.



This area was also a transition zone between the habitat of Coastal Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia and Interior Live Oak, Quecrus wislizenii. When we hiked eastward toward the Central Valley we saw some Interior Live Oak, as we returned westward Coastal Live Oak completely replaced Interior Live Oak. Pictured is the foliage of Quercus agrifolia with its typical strongly convex adaxial leaf surface. Generally the leaves of this species are a bit more rounded, however like most plants there is variation.



A mossy, lichen covered trunk of Quercus agrifolia.



We arrived back at the staging area and started off on a new route to the northwest toward the summit of Mount Diablo. The weather was improving but still poor. These ghostly silhouettes of California Buckeye, Aesculus californica, were picturesque was they emerged from the mist.



Spring is slowly arriving. Some of the Buckeyes were starting to leaf out. In addition, I found two species of Ribes flowering and leafing out, Ribes amarum with its glandular hairy leaves, and Ribes californicum var. californicum. Sadly, the poor weather hampered my efforts to get good photographs of them.

[Robert]

Along this route we found hundreds of Cardimine californica blooming in shaded areas. Rain, wind, and darkness made photography such a challenge!



Cynoglossum grande also grew in many of the shady sites. Their flower buds were not emerging yet. Spring is arriving, but slowly with fits and starts.



I found a number of ferns along this route. Dryopteris arguta, Wood Fern, is a common species found at low elevation foothill sites in California.



Goldback Fern, Pentagramma triangularis, is another very common fern in this part of California.



The base rock in this area consisted of a very soft sandstone.

[Robert]

The base rock easily broke down into sticky clay that was very difficult to hike in, especially with all the rain and mud. The soft soil was also subject to considerable erosion. Cattle grazing exasperated the situation. Not only did we see many small slides such as this one, but the raging creeks were extremely muddy with silt and clay eroded down from the surrounding hills.



Near the end of the day the rain started to abate and the clouds lifted a bit. We started to get a view of the surrounding terrain. The vistas of the surrounding oak savannah were very beautiful, however the savannah was not very productive from a botanical standpoint.



There was not time to explore this forested ridge. I found out later that cattle were not permitted in this area. This will be one of a number of areas to check on when I return in the future.



This outing was not a complete bust. This meadow full of Ranunculus californicum var. californicum was in full bloom.



Finding this meadow full of blooming Ranunculus was a good way to end this outing. Our reconnaissance was very successful and we now have a number of promising areas to explore upon our return to this area. There are a number of Calochortus species known to this area, including the local endemic Calochortus pulchellus, that I would like to find. I did find a few Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. manzanita on this outing, however I would like to see another local endemic, Arctostaphylos manzanita ssp. laevigata. There are also many other species I would like to see in this region that are not found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. I am looking forward to many more outings in this area in the future.

Until next time…….

[Hoy]

Looks very wet, Robert! Hope your rain gear kept you dry.

I suppose landslides are common where cattle remove much of the vegetation? Possibly also after wildfires especially now with all the rain you have gotten lately.


Ranunculus californicum looks very similar to R repens which is common here. Geranium molle is native here (and no problem). Claytonia perfoliata is a very rare foreign plant in Norway but C. sibirica is very common in my garden!

Cardamine is a favorite genus!

[Robert]

Trond,

Yes our rain gear kept us very dry. 

The soil in the coast hills and mountains can be very unstable. Mud slides and slippages are common during extremely wet weather. Excessive livestock grazing exasperates the situation. The wildfires can create the same situation, however mud slides have not been too bad in the Sierra Nevada. Maybe when I start looking around this spring I will see something different.

I was impressed with the Ranunculus californicum. In the Sierra Nevada foothills I frequently see R. occodentalis var. occidentalis and near the Sacramento Valley R. canus.

The Cardamine californica were in full bloom and very impressive. They like the shade where the lighting was quite dark this day. A good photograph could have been very impressive, but it was not to be this day.

We will be going to the Red Hills on Wednesday. It will be a bit early to see much in bloom, but it will be good to check things out anyway. There are several endemic species in this area too.

[David Nicholson]

Cliff falls are a big problem in my area Robert and also on the coasts of Eastern England.

http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/07/huge-chunks-of-cliffs-collapse-after-heavy-rain-taking-back-gardens-with-them-6433928/

[Robert]

David,

The internet decided to work today (Sunday    ) At times, the sea cliffs break-off like that in California, luckily in remote areas.... most of the time. I would hate to live in a situation like that!    Our coastal hills and mountains are also subject to earthquake activity, mostly very minor, however the shaking of the waterlogged soil adds to the soil instability.

My hiking companion, Dalton, wants to have an outing near the Mendocino coastline (some of his tribal members live there). I have my hands full right now, but agree that an outing in this area would be extremely fascinating.

I am still curious about Kate McGarrigie. I will have some alone time soon where some pleasant music will not bother anyone. Today we went to the Japanese market and bakery for treats!    Nori maki, fresh genmai, divinely flavorful miso (the real stuff made in Japan), some wonderful freshly made Japanese Pastries, and delightful company. Now back to the get-together.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Robert,
just hearing on the news about the risk of collapse of the Oroville dam!http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-13/oroville-dam-northern-california-threatens-collapse-evacuate/8265532
I hope you are not too close downstream from it!
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Fermi,

At the moment it appears that the situation is under control. 160,000 people had to evacuate the potential flood area and the town of Oroville would be under 100 feet of water if the spillway fails. The Feather River flows into the Sacramento River. The Sacramento River is a "stone throw" from our Sacramento home. If the spillway fails we are being told that the river would rise 1-5 feet. The Sacramento River is already running high. 5 feet would put water over the top of the levee! Somebody needs to do the math! However we are being told not to worry.    I might have been young, but I do remember what happened when Hell Hole Dam failed in 1965. Some of the twisted debris from that disaster is still around. Hopefully everything will be okay. If you do not hear from me you know we had to flee to higher ground. More rain is forecast starting on Thursday.

[Robert]

Cliff falls are a big problem in my area Robert and also on the coasts of Eastern England.

http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/07/huge-chunks-of-cliffs-collapse-after-heavy-rain-taking-back-gardens-with-them-6433928/

Hi David,

I finally had a chance to listen to the music link to Kate McGarrigle. I had never heard her music, however the song on the link was very pleasant and enjoyable!    The song seems a very personal experience - the reference to Mendocino. There is a town named Mendocino near Fort Bragg, then there is the whole county which has many different facets. Anyway wonderful music. Thank you for sharing. 



An update on Oroville Dam.

As of 8:00 A.M. local time water was no longer flowing over the emergency spillway. The badly damaged main spillway is holding - so far - however additional damage is still occurring to the main spillway. Also, the main river channel at the base of the dam has been damaged. Water can not be released by the power plant at the base of the dam. Attempts are being made to lower the lake level by 50 feet before the next in a series of storms arrive on Wednesday night - Thursday. Attempts are also being made to make temporary repairs to the emergency spillway. There has been extensive damage to the emergency spillway. Now it is a race to repair the emergency spillway before the next storm arrives and attempt to lower the lake level before the main spillway is damaged to the point where it fails too or can not be used safely. People are not being allowed to return into the "flood zone" so the threat still seems to exist. They "think" the up stream levees will fail before the flood waters reach Sacramento so the city of Sacramento will not flood, however they are uncertain about this. So we are all hoping that the lake level can be lowered before the next set of storms arrive and the temporary repairs to the emergency spillway hold.

[Hoy]

The dramatic situation was shown on TV here also. I cross my fingers and hope that nothing gives way. Seems you have gotten your share of water now!

[ArnoldT]

Robert:

Had a look at the geography of the area.  You look to be directly south of the dam in Sacramento (75 miles) and further away in Placerville. (114 miles).

Of course distance and geography could be deceiving.

I've read that there were warning ten years ago about this very situation happening.  Is that true/

We are keeping all of the folks there in our thoughts.