Mt. Diablo: Spring

It's been 6 months since I last went to Castle Rock/Mt Diablo. It's rained quite a bit since then, which makes a big difference in the landscape, both birdy and flowery (as symbolized by this shot of poppies and a bluebird nest box).

Not a single acorn woodpecker showed itself, but I did spot a Nuttall's woodpecker fighting a bluebird for a nest cavity:

(FIERCE!)

And speaking of fierce, here's a terrible and blurry picture of a Cooper's Hawk lurking in the undergrowth.

Also going strong: lizards.

Darkling beetle in its tiny world:

Dragonfly
I think this is a tent caterpillar.

And the highlight of the season, all the flow'rs:

Blue dicks:
Owl's clover:

Monkey Flower (and a cool holey rock)

Sunset Discoveries

Just a little loop around the lake. Lots of blooming things:


A little wasp nest at the entry to the sensory garden:

The sun was getting low by the time we reached the other side of the lake:

Great blue heron out hunting:


And the goose family co-op, silhouetted against the city:
Last time we counted 33 goslings and 8 adults. This time 30 goslings and 6 adults. look at them all in a line!


And I think these might be the ducklings formerly of The Duckling Pile. They're bigger now, but see how long their tails look? I think that's because their primaries haven't grown in yet. Also, the center duck is lighter than the others, just as it was as a duckling.

Sunset, Flowers, prettiness.

Caution: walking around looking for birds can also lead to seeing other pretty things.


Wild onion. The taste is similar to a green onion, but the texture is much gummier.

I know this one is out of focus but it made the lights look extra cool that way.

Redbud is still blooming strong, not like those wimpy flowering cherry trees.

Someone's garden plot is going to have a lot of artichokes soon.


I think this is a flower fly, but it might be a bee of some kind?