Rancho San Vicente 13 July 2010 |
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| Non-native bullfrogs can often be heard croaking in a nearby stock pond. | ||
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| A side canyon where Mt Hamilton Thistle, Van Houtte's Columbine, and Loma Prieta Hoita bloom. | ||
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| Dead stalks of Mt Hamilton Thistle. Hillside patch above old ranch road. | ||
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| The area's a jumble of serpentine boulders. | ||
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| Seep where both Mt Hamilton Thistle and Van Houtte's Columbine bloom. | ||
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| Van Houtte's Columbine | ||
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| This expressive native wildflower grows only in serpentine soil. | ||
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| Van Houtte's Columbine and Mt Hamilton Thistle also bloom side-by-side on Stile Ranch Trail. | ||
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| Mt Hamilton Thistle also blooms trail-side in Kirby Canyon. | ||
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| Mt Hamilton Thistle blooms once, then dies away. | ||
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| A sudden whirl of wings above this tangle of coffeeberry, thistle, serpentine and columbines. | ||
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| A pair of Anna's Hummingbirds wait patiently for our departure. | ||
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| Hummingbirds sip nectar from both columbines and thistles. | ||
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| Continuing down canyon to look for the rare and endangered Loma Prieta Hoita. | ||
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| Lone sentry watched us passing, his flock concealed in trailside grasses. | ||
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| Loma Prieta Hoita amid a tangle of poison oak. | ||
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| The Loma Prieta Hoita is only found in serpentine soil seeps. | ||
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| Small patch of Davy's Centaury found along the way. | ||
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| This wildflower is common in seeps throughout Santa Clara Valley in August and September. | ||
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| A portion of Almaden Valley, Fortini Road, and Santa Teresa County Park in distance. | ||
| County Parks hosts several public hikes a year into Rancho San Vicente. | ||
| Return to Top. | ||