Quick Walk around the Lake

 

Last Wednesday I went to the farrmers market in the morning and on my way back I decided to stop at the lake for a quick walk. Summer camp had started and it was quite noisy at the lagoon, so I took a different trail in order to avoid that area.

California Quails were the first "thing" that I saw - our truly fabulous state bird.

I was delighted to see some native plants along that much less traveled trail. There was Spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis) and our beautiful California Buckeye (Aesculus californica), both blooming right now.

The California buckeye is a midsize, beautifully shaped tree and its flowers are stunning.

Sticky monkey-flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), another California native, liked its spot in the shadier area.

Closer to the lake, very tall mustard and hemlock lined the trail. The hemlock looks like Queen Anne's Lace on steroids.

Beautiful as it is, I was not happy to see quite a lot of Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) since it is an invasive non-native.

So is Rattlesnake Grass (Briza maxima), unfortunately.

But then I saw White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), the California native of the many yarrows. There weren't many and you really had to look for it among the tall grasses. You can see the amount of Rattlesnake Grass as well.

 I have no idea what this is, but I liked its "fairy" appearance. As I like most of the tall grasses.

Then I came upon another California native: Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia laxa). Its name could be right out of "Lord of the Rings". It's also the name of an angel in John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost":

Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear  

Touched lightly; for no falshood [sic] can endure 

            Touch of celestial temper, but returns

            Of force to its own likeness: Up he starts

            Discovered and surprised.       

  

The flower is more purple than in these images; unfortunately, my camera couldn't capture the true color.   

  

  

I'm not quite sure what the following plant is - it might be Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).

And this, I suspect, is Perforate St John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum).

Back at the parking lot I sat for some time watching the Ground Squirrels who were busy chasing each other and eating whatever they could find. They're rather skittish and not easy to photograph.

When I was finally home again, I unpacked my treasures from the market and enjoyed these delicious sweet cherries. The small bowl was made by a colleague at the German School.

And of course there is coffee, this time served in the white and blue mug I bought almost 10 years ago on the German isle of Spiekeroog. This is also my ticket for T Tuesday, hosted by Elizabeth and her sidekick Bleubeard.

Have a lovely week, my friends.