Brian Rowning and I hiked about 2.7 miles up Mitchell Canyon. Highlights included a Red-breasted Sapsucker at the start of the trail. It was eventually chased off by an Acorn Woodpecker. Birding was poor other than a Hermit Thrush and occasional Dark-eyed Juncos, Scrub Jays, unidentified sparrows. A Steller's Jay appeared in the garden as we made our way back to the parking lot.
Of course, it's Fall so much in bloom, but we did manage ti find Dwarf Pine Mistletoe in seed. Dragonflies were limited to Common Green Darners and Variegated Meadowhawks. Butterflies included non-landing whites, Lorquin's Admiral, and unidentified skippers. I did manage to photographs a fresh California Sister, the alba form of Orange Sulphur, a Woodland Skipper and a California Tortoiseshell, the latter of which had a particularly good year in 2018.
The only herp we found was the ubiquitous Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis bocourti, although the humidity was up and the temperature was cool enough for snakes. The wind was calm in the canyon, but robust elsewhere. Dust clouds as well as smoke from nearby fires plagued the day.
Of course, it's Fall so much in bloom, but we did manage ti find Dwarf Pine Mistletoe in seed. Dragonflies were limited to Common Green Darners and Variegated Meadowhawks. Butterflies included non-landing whites, Lorquin's Admiral, and unidentified skippers. I did manage to photographs a fresh California Sister, the alba form of Orange Sulphur, a Woodland Skipper and a California Tortoiseshell, the latter of which had a particularly good year in 2018.
The only herp we found was the ubiquitous Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis bocourti, although the humidity was up and the temperature was cool enough for snakes. The wind was calm in the canyon, but robust elsewhere. Dust clouds as well as smoke from nearby fires plagued the day.