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Wildflower Mount Diablo Turkey Tangle Frogfruit Scientific Name: Phyla nodiflora Family: Verbenaceae Blooms: May-Jun Color: White Perennial herb Native There is also a blue-purple form. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty Steven Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo Brickell bush, California brickellbush, California brickellia Scientific Name: Brickellia californica Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: August Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo California Sagebrush Scientific Name: Artemisia californica Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Sep - Nov Color: Red-Pink Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Ken-ichi Ueda, iNaturalist

Seasonal Sightings Filter by Category Select Category Tarantulas fall Tarantulas like to wander in twilight hours. Look for them in early fall. Read More Woodpeckers fall Woodpeckers are not shy and are often busy in the fall. Read More Common Poorwills fall Poorwills can be seen in the evening hours. Read More Harvester Ants fall Busy, busy, busy! Read More Pepsis Tarantula Hawks fall You don't want to get stung by this one! Read More Sunsets fall Whether looking toward Mount Diablo or toward the western horizon, the sunsets in fall never disappoint. Read More Copper Hillsides fall (Chamise Seedheads) Read More Coyotes fall The coyote's high-pitched, yodel-like yapping can frequently be heard at night. Read More Acorns fall Acorns are a woodpecker favorite! Read More Poison Oak fall Leaves of 3, leave me be... Read More Snakes fall Snakes live here too! Read More Ticks spring Stay on the trail and check for ticks on your clothing! Read More Calliope Hummingbird spring This is the smallest hummingbird found in the U.S. and a special visitor to Mount Diablo. Read More Ash Throated Flycatcher spring Flycatchers are fun to watch so find a good spot and be patient... Read More Peregrine Falcons spring The best place to look for peregrines is Pine Canyon located at Castle Rock Recreational Park. Read More Quail spring Think of quail as California chickens. They can be seen in chaparral areas. Read More Migrating and Nesting Birds spring The Hermit Warbler is on a short list of our migrating birds. Read More Western Bluebird spring Western Bluebirds will always make you smile. Look for them in the woodlands. Read More Tarantula Hawk spring Fun to spot one until you see what they do :-( Read More Butterflies, Swallow Tails spring These large graceful butterflies can often be seen in Mitchell Canyon. Read More Digger Bees spring One of the Diggers with the largest, most active aggregations in Mount Diablo State Park is the Edwards Digger Bee. Read More Fairy Bees spring These tiny bees can be seen on mariposa lilies or poppies. Read More Animal prints in the mud spring You can learn a lot from footprints... Read More Wildflowers spring Check out our wildflower guide and see what's in bloom! Read More Water Falls spring Falls Trail is accessed from Mitchell Canyon. Read More Trail Through Time spring Like chapters in a book, the rocks of Mount Diablo tell a story of previous landscapes, climates, and life forms as well as epic journeys of tectonic plates. Read More Mariposa Lilies, Globe Lilies spring Globe Lilies can be seen in Mitchell Canyon. Read More Chamise spring Chamise is one of the classic plants of our California chaparral. Read More Soap Plant spring Look for something wavy in Mitchell Canyon. Read More Bitter root spring Look for these near the summit. Read More Clarkia spring Red and pink Clarkias dot the grasslands in spring and summer. Read More Milkweed spring A butterfly favorite... Read More Poppies spring A golden bloom for the Golden State Read More Blainville's Horned Lizard spring Watch your step! Read More Snakes spring Like all snakes, rattlesnakes do not want to attack people. Read More Frogs summer Look for a frog chorus at Coulter Pond Read More Ticks summer Stay on the trail and check for ticks on your clothing! Read More Quail summer Think of quail as a California version of chickens. They can be seen in riparian and chaparral areas. Read More Hawks summer Shown in the photo is a Cooper's Hawk, but the Red-tailed Hawk is often seen and heard. Read More Common Poorwills summer Poorwills are best seen in the evening hours. Read More Migrating and Nesting Birds summer The Hermit Warbler is on a short list of our migrating birds. Read More Earwigs summer Ewwww..Earwigs are often more noticeable during spring and early summer, especially after wet winters. Read More Carpenter Ants summer Enjoy the photo and hope you don't see them around your house. Read More Dragonflies summer You can see dragonflies near the summit and along the creeks throughout the park. Read More Moths summer We think moths are misunderstood. What do you think? (we hope you see one!) Read More Butterflies summer Check out our Butterfly Guide! Read More Camping summer Reserve your spot! Read More Inversion Layer summer Our Bay Area fog provides relief from the valley heat. Take a drive to summit and be surprised. Read More Clarkias summer Red and pink Clarkias dot the grasslands in spring and summer. Read More Buckeyes summer Buckeyes are both beautiful and pathetic depending on when you see them. Read More Blooming Soap Root summer Soap root blooms in the evening and a special treat. Read More Tarweed summer Follow your eye and your nose... Read More Snakes summer Like all snakes, rattlesnakes do not want to attack people. Read More Mushrooms winter Remember to take only photos. Watch our webinar about mushrooms on the mountain. Read More Sara Orangetip Butterflies winter The orange tipped wings are fun to see! Read More Lady Bugs winter Lovely... Read More Mountain Digger Bees winter Look for these bees on manzanita. Read More Three-Striped Longorn Moth winter Read More View from Summit winter The best viewing is after a winter storm with strong north winds. Read More Water Falls winter The Falls trail is accessed at Mitchell Canyon Read More Cold Safety or Snow winter Research road and weather conditions prior to traveling. For updated road conditions visit road.dot.ca.gov OR call 1800-427-ROAD Read More Checker Lily winter Look for checker lilies at Mitchell Canyon Read More Manzanita winter Look for manzanita at Rock City located on South Gate Road Read More Coast Silk Tassel winter Silk Tassel blooms in late winter. Read More Berries winter Toyon and its berries are also known as Christmas Holly. Read More Warrior's Plume winter A striking bloom that offers an opening threshold to wildflower season Read More Chaparral Currant winter Look for currant berries in the spring (unless the birds get them first!) Read More

What to Look for in Summer Filter by Category Select Category Frogs Look for a frog chorus at Coulter Pond Read More Ticks Stay on the trail and check for ticks on your clothing! Read More Quail Think of quail as a California version of chickens. They can be seen in riparian and chaparral areas. Read More Hawks Shown in the photo is a Cooper's Hawk, but the Red-tailed Hawk is often seen and heard. Read More Common Poorwills Poorwills are best seen in the evening hours. Read More Migrating and Nesting Birds The Hermit Warbler is on a short list of our migrating birds. Read More Dragonflies You can see dragonflies near the summit and along the creeks throughout the park. Read More Butterflies Check out our Butterfly Guide! Read More Camping Reserve your spot! Read More Clarkias Red and pink Clarkias dot the grasslands in spring and summer. Read More Buckeyes Buckeyes are both beautiful and pathetic depending on when you see them. Read More Blooming Soap Root Soap root blooms in the evening and a special treat. Read More Tarweed Follow your eye and your nose... Read More Snakes Like all snakes, rattlesnakes do not want to attack people. Read More

What to Look for in Winter Filter by Category Select Category Mushrooms Remember to take only photos. Watch our webinar about mushrooms on the mountain. Read More Sara Orangetip Butterflies The orange tipped wings are fun to see! Read More Lady Bugs Lovely... Read More Mountain Digger Bees Look for these bees on manzanita. Read More View from Summit The best viewing is after a winter storm with strong north winds. Read More Water Falls The Falls trail is accessed at Mitchell Canyon Read More Cold Safety or Snow Research road and weather conditions prior to traveling. For updated road conditions visit road.dot.ca.gov OR call 1800-427-ROAD Read More Checker Lily Look for checker lilies at Mitchell Canyon Read More Manzanita Look for manzanita at Rock City located on South Gate Road Read More Coast Silk Tassel Silk Tassel blooms in late winter. Read More Berries Toyon and its berries are also known as Christmas Holly. Read More Warrior's Plume A striking bloom that offers an opening threshold to wildflower season Read More Chaparral Currant Look for currant berries in the spring (unless the birds get them first!) Read More

What to Look for in Fall Filter by Category Select Category Tarantulas Tarantulas like to wander in twilight hours. Look for them in early fall. Read More Woodpeckers Woodpeckers are not shy and are often busy in the fall. Read More Common Poorwills Poorwills can be seen in the evening hours. Read More Harvester Ants Busy, busy, busy! Read More Pepsis Tarantula Hawks You don't want to get stung by this one! Read More Sunsets Whether looking toward Mount Diablo or toward the western horizon, the sunsets in fall never disappoint. Read More Copper Hillsides (Chamise Seedheads) Read More Coyotes The coyote's high-pitched, yodel-like yapping can frequently be heard at night. Read More Acorns Acorns are a woodpecker favorite! Read More Poison Oak Leaves of 3, leave me be... Read More Snakes Snakes live here too! Read More

What to Look for in Spring Filter by Category Select Category Ticks Stay on the trail and check for ticks on your clothing! Read More Calliope Hummingbird This is the smallest hummingbird found in the U.S. and a special visitor to Mount Diablo. Read More Ash Throated Flycatcher Flycatchers are fun to watch so find a good spot and be patient... Read More Peregrine Falcons The best place to look for peregrines is Pine Canyon located at Castle Rock Recreational Park. Read More Quail Think of quail as California chickens. They can be seen in chaparral areas. Read More Migrating and Nesting Birds The Hermit Warbler is on a short list of our migrating birds. Read More Western Bluebird Western Bluebirds will always make you smile. Look for them in the woodlands. Read More Tarantula Hawk Fun to spot one until you see what they do :-( Read More Butterflies, Swallow Tails These large graceful butterflies can often be seen in Mitchell Canyon. Read More Digger Bees One of the Diggers with the largest, most active aggregations in Mount Diablo State Park is the Edwards Digger Bee. Read More Fairy Bees These tiny bees can be seen on mariposa lilies or poppies. Read More Animal prints in the mud You can learn a lot from footprints... Read More Wildflowers Check out our wildflower guide and see what's in bloom! Read More Water Falls Falls Trail is accessed from Mitchell Canyon. Read More Trail Through Time Like chapters in a book, the rocks of Mount Diablo tell a story of previous landscapes, climates, and life forms as well as epic journeys of tectonic plates. Read More Mariposa Lilies, Globe Lilies Globe Lilies can be seen in Mitchell Canyon. Read More Chamise Chamise is one of the classic plants of our California chaparral. Read More Soap Plant Look for something wavy in Mitchell Canyon. Read More Bitter root Look for these near the summit. Read More Clarkia Red and pink Clarkias dot the grasslands in spring and summer. Read More Milkweed A butterfly favorite... Read More Poppies A golden bloom for the Golden State Read More Blainville's Horned Lizard Watch your step! Read More Snakes Like all snakes, rattlesnakes do not want to attack people. Read More

articles about plants wildlife spiders mammals insects Articles Filter by Category Select Category Pepsis Tarantula Hawk Has Found Its Prey While most of us “Mount Diablo-philes” have a great love for our local tarantulas, I am also enamored with Tarantula Hawks – those large, magnetic blue-black wasps with the orange wings! July 5, 2025 More Hoverflies Hoverflies are Flies in Disguise June 24, 2025 More Jeweled Spider Flies One of my favorite insects is quite uncommon ... June 20, 2025 More Pollen Wasp It isn’t a pest or a predator - this Pollen Wasp behaves more like a bee... June 20, 2025 More Crab Spider Crab Spiders Use Flower Power May 28, 2025 More Acorn Woodpecker A bird that's nut for acorns! May 21, 2025 More Coyote The barking dog May 21, 2025 More Dragonfly Oh my! What big eyes you have! May 21, 2025 More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... 11

Pollen Wasp by Dan Sandri A much friendlier wasp June 20, 2025 by Dan Sandri These days there is a wasp flying around Mount Diablo State Park’s Bunchleaf Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus ) that looks somewhat like a Western Yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica ), but is much more peace-loving and delightful! It is a Pollen Wasp: Pseudomasaris vespoides . It isn’t a pest or a predator - this Pollen Wasp behaves more like a bee. Pseudomasaris vespoides is a specialist that relies solely on Penstemon for pollen and nectar to feed its larvae. To find it, look for the Penstemon . These wasps differ from yellowjackets in that they are larger and have clubbed antennae, among other differences. Unlike most bees, they do not carry nectar and pollen on their legs. They carry pollen and nectar back to their mud nests using their crops. Like most native bees, each female wasp is a solitary nester, not a communal nester – each nest cell contains one egg and the nectar and pollen to feed the larva when the egg hatches. A mud nest may be a collection of parallel cells attached to a rock. Certain Penstemon plants, including some endangered plants across the Western United States, rely on Pseudomasaris vespoides for pollination – they would go extinct without the wasp. Pollen wasps have long tongues that enable them to reach the nectar at the base of long, tubular flowers. If you watch Pseudomasaris vespoides wasps collect nectar from Bunchleaf Penstemon, you will hear them too, as their backs make a rasping sound when they rub against spines in the Bunchleaf Penstemon flowers. Note that there are at least three species on Pseudomasaris in Mount Diablo State Park, but if you see one on Bunchleaf Penstemon, it will be Pseudomasaris vespoides . The upper parts of Mount Diablo have a lot of Penstemon right now, and a lot of these wasps. Perhaps try Mary Bowerman Fire Interpretive Trail or one of the other higher elevation trails. by Dan Sandri Pollen Wasp (Pseudomasaris vespoides) by Dan Sandri Pollen Wasp (Pseudomasaris vespoides) BACK TO LIST

Activities and handouts in natural sciences for teaching school-age youth at Mount Diablo State Park. Activities and Handouts Explore our library of activities and handouts that are available for download (PDF). You can also browse our full list of Nature Articles here . Filter by Theme Select Theme Oak Woodland Habitat - Web of Life Activity Living Things Need Each Other View or Download Spotted Towee Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Trail Through Time Hike A Geological Journey View or Download Dragonfly Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Hoverflies Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Mountain Lions Mount Diablo State Park View or Download Nature Posters Wildlife and Plant Posters (PDF) View or Download Grasslands Plant Communities of Mount Diablo State Park View or Download Hard Chaparral Plant Communities of Mount Diablo State Park View or Download Soft Chaparral Plant Communities of Mount Diablo State Park View or Download Tarantula Time Fall is Tarantula Time on Mount Diablo View or Download Coyote and Quail Focus on Coyote and Quail Read More Acorn Woodpecker Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Geologic Guide to Mount Diablo State Park A must have for all those interested in geology. View or Download Swallowtail Butterfly Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Ladybug Time An attractive but not-so-innocent littlesojourner on Mount Diablo View or Download Coyote Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Journaling for Young Naturalists Take a Walk in the Woods... How to Use the Park as a Resource Read More Oak Woodlands Plant Communities of Mount Diablo State Park View or Download Riparian Woodlands Plant Communities of Mount Diablo State Park View or Download What's Blooming Now on Mount Diablo See the list of blooming plants View or Download Crab Spider Marvelous Animal Adaptations View or Download Common Birds A-Z See a list of common birds in Mount Diablo State Park View List Back to Learn

Wild Mount Diablo Wild Mount Diablo provides a series of short videos highlighting a rare, threatened, or unique native plant or animal. Each clip focuses on the natural history, ecological role, or conservation status, and helps you appreciate why it matters—or why it's cool. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Produced by Joan Hamilton, Wally De Young, Kendall Paul Oei, and Staci Hobbet. Joan Hamilton Wally De Young Kendall Paul Oei Staci Hobbet Filter by Theme Select Theme The Watering Hole Video 5:53 min Wally De Young Take a peek at our local wildlife when they think no one is watching, as they share one of the few seasonal watering holes remaining in the area. A Wild Mount Diablo video by Wally De Young. Production, images, writing and narration by Wally De Young. Music by Chris Haugen. Special thanks to the Wild Mount Diablo team, Joan Hamilton, Staci Hobbet and Kendall Oei. Serpents Video 6:10 min A beautiful, informative, and extremely close encounter with Mount Diablo's three largest snakes. A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video by Wally De Young. Production, writing, and narration by Wally De Young. Images Wally De Young, Music Casa Rosa. Thanks to Wild Mount Diablo team members Joan Hamilton, Staci Hobbet, and Kendall Oei. Scarlet Pumpernickel? Video 3:01 min Mike Woodring How a tiny flower rose to stardom, inspiring numerous works of "first-class escapism." A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video in the "Wild Mount Diablo" series. Featuring Ken Lavin. Photos by Scott Hein, Neal Kramer, and Andrew Waugh, clu, seven75, tamayalper (iStock). Music by Christian Andersen. Production by Joan Hamilton. Thanks to Wild Mount Diablo team members Wally De Young, Staci Hobbet, Kendall Oei. Plant People Video 5:13 min Mount Diablo is a treasure trove of rare plants. Learn about the unusual species you can find there—and about the botanists who've made a name for themselves on its slopes. A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video produced in partnership with Save Mount Diablo by Joan Hamilton. Featuring botanist Heath Bartosh. Images by Heath Bartosh, Dan Fitzgerald, Scott Hein, Kendall Oei. Music by Daniel Kaede and Headlund/Epidemic Sound. California Newts Video 6:57 min Wally De Young Join Wild Mount Diablo as we dig deeper into the story of a creature that produces a defensive neurotoxin 10 times more powerful than cyanide, and the fascinating evolutionary response of its primary predator. Produced by Wally De Young. Soap Root Video 4:00 min Kevin Hintsa Meet an elegant member of the agave family that's so useful to humans it's called "the grocery store plant." A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video featuring Vincent Medina and Ken Lavin. Wonders of 2023 Video 3:58 min Wally De Young Join Wild Mount Diablo as we look back at some of the favorite Wonders we experienced in 2023! Poison Oak Video 4:56 min The branches of this irritating plant are bare right now, but wise park visitors know to be wary. Learn of its infamous debut in London in the early 1800s and how it's related to products from plants some of us enjoy eating today. Wild Babies Video 9:34 min Wally De Young Meet the Wild Babies of Mount Diablo, and learn what superpowers each is developing as they grow from babes in the woods, to full grown predators - or prey! Whether sharp toothed and venomous, or soft and fluffy, these wild babies are sure to surprise you with their innate gifts. Are baby rattlesnakes really more dangerous than adults? Are a Great Horned Owls’ eyes really as large as a humans’? Which mom carries over 100 babies on her back? Watch Wild Babies, and be prepared to be surprised! Pines Video 4:52 min Can you name three pine species that grow in Mount Diablo State Park? Learn to ID them by their pinecones (2 supersized, 1 clingy). Hear about how they're adapted to fire and drought. Meet the gun-toting botanists who collected their cones in the 1830s. A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video featuring Ken Lavin and Seth Adams. Production by Joan Hamilton. Music by Music Revolution. Photos by Joan Hamilton, Neal Kramer, Kendall Oei, and courtesy of Strybing Arboretum. Adapted from Audible Mount Diablo's Curry Point, Mitchell Canyon, and Falls Trail guides sponsored by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and Save Mount Diablo. Special thanks to Wild Mount Diablo team members Wally De Young, Anastasia Hobbet, and Kendall Oei. Peregrine Falcons 2022 Video 6:49 min Wally De Young Join Wild Mount Diablo as we hear the story of how a local apex predator, the peregrine falcon, fared in 2022, following the difficult 2021 season, when all four chicks, banded and almost ready to fly, were killed by a great-horned owl in a territorial dispute. Follow MDIA’s Peregrine Team of naturalists, stewards, and detectives as they tell the story of how the fastest animal on the planet fared this last season. We plan an annual update on these beautiful birds of prey. The 2023 season, now underway, is developing into another wholly different story. A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video, produced by Wally De Young. Early Bloomers Video 4:14 min Kendall Paul Oei In the first, wintery months of the year, our early blooming flowers bring beauty to the forested understory. Here are a few beautiful flowers that bloom January through March. Ladybugs Video 4:29 min Mount Diablo hosts large congregations of ladybugs in winter. Perhaps you've seen them? Masses of writhing, reddish-orange beetles in a shady canyon? It can be an arresting, even creepy, sight. Which is all part of their clever survival plan. A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video featuring naturalist Ken Lavin. Images by Arnold Joe, Scott Hein, and Kendall Oei. Music by Daniel Kaede. Produced by Joan Hamilton. Adapted from "Mitchell Canyon" Audible Mount Diablo, 2017. Wonders of Diablo 2022 Video 3:20 min Kendall Paul Oei There are so many things to see on our mountain. Here are a few Wonders of Diablo from 2022. May your 2023 be filled with new wonders. Happy New Year from the Wild Mount Diablo team! Black-tailed Deer (Awww..) Video 4:11 min Carl Nielson Our deer lend such sweetness, grace and majesty to Mount Diablo. Come take a peek into the lives of our local Columbian black-tailed deer. Oak Mistletoe Video 2:57 min Ah . . . fall on Mount Diablo! Golden grasses, auburn chamise, and bare deciduous oaks. But wait! Some of the oaks' branches are festooned with a green, beach-ball-size plant. The Druids considered it the soul of the tree. But the real story is more complicated! A Mount Diablo Interpretive Association video featuring naturalist Ken Lavin. Produced by Joan Hamilton. Videography and photos by Kendall Oei, with Wally De Young, Staci Hobbet, and Neal Kramer. Music by Miguel Angel Albentosa Bo. Adapted from "Plants of Twin Peaks," Audible Mount Diablo, 2013. River Otters of the Mount Diablo Watershed Video 6:41 min Wally De Young River otters on Mount Diablo? No, but join Wild Mount Diablo and explore how the mountain's many headwaters feed the creeks and canals of the watersheds below, providing river otters and other water-loving creatures with essential habitat. Poppies Video 2:43 min Everyone loves our State flower, the California poppy! But few know the story about how it got its scientific name. It starts with a Russian ship sailing into San Francisco Bay with a German poet on board ....and the rest is (strange) history. Bobcats Video 5:05 min Brian Murphy Bobcats definitely help put the wild in Wild Mount Diablo. Take a few minutes to enjoy their beauty and fascinating lives. American Kestrel: North America's Smallest Falcon Video 6:04 min Daniel Fitzgerald Wild Mount Diablo focuses on North America's smallest falcon, and efforts to help them thrive, which may be having a positive impact on local populations.