Wildflower Mount Diablo Branched Clover Scientific Name: Trifolium dichotomum Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) Blooms: Mar-May Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native, and endemic (limited) to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

Gorgon Copper Lycaena gorgon Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies May to July Host Plant Buckwheat Nectar Plant Sulphur buckwheat, Gum plant Daniel Fitzgerald Male Daniel Fitzgerald Female Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Wildflower Mount Diablo Spring Vetch Invasive Scientific Name: Vicia sativa Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: Feb - May Color: Red-Pink Annual herb or vine Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Crab Spider by Jenn Roe Marvelous Animal Adaptations May 28, 2025 by Jenn Roe The crab spider is easy to identify. It’s named for its round and wide crab-like body and extra-long front legs held outward like pincers on a crab. It’s also able to scramble sideways, another crabby feature. Mount Diablo is home to the Goldenrod and the White-banded Crab Spiders that are very similar in appearance, habitat, and behavior. The female of both species can change color from white (base color) to yellow and vice versa, a unique ability in the world of spiders. This is a slow process that takes days. It helps her hide from prey and predators such as birds, lizards, ants, wasps and other spiders. Also called a flower spider, it does not need a web to catch prey . Instead, this tiny predator (the female almost half an inch wide) hides on a fresh bloom and uses all eight spider-eyes to scan for the next meal. Her long, strong front legs strike at any pollen or nectar-seeking insect unlucky enough to land within reach! The female spider does not stray from her preferred flower while the hunting is good, bees being a favorite high-protein meal. In contrast, the much smaller male wanders about in search of a mate with less time to spend catching insects. Fortunately, he’s not a strict carnivore and when necessary, will sip sugar-rich nectar for nourishment. Download this article by Arnold Joe Some species of crab spider can change color from white (base color) to yellow. by Jenn Roe Crab spiders are ambush predators that sit and wait for prey to come within striking distance. These petite predators are expert at blending in with the flowers where they hunt. by Jenn Roe The spider immobilizes its sometimes much bigger prey with a quick, venomous bite and injects it with digestive enzymes that liquify its insides. The spider’s fangs suck up the soupy brew. BACK TO LIST

Red Larkspur by Dan Sandri A Splash of Scarlet! April 1, 2025 Dan Sandri Red Larkspur (Delphinium nudicaule ) is out on Mount Diablo, and its presence, whether on a rocky slope above a creek or in the green grass, can be shockingly beautiful, a blaze of brilliant scarlet! A member of the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae), Red Larkspur is found in the foothills and mountains of California, with its range just reaching into southern Oregon. It is showy and bright, and can be found all around Mount Diablo State Park (look for it especially along Mary Bowerman, Falls, North Peak, Bald Ridge, Twin Peaks and Mitchell Canyon Trails – it’s all around, actually!). Plants are usually about a foot tall, and flowers are mostly bright red, although they can be red-orange. The leaves are located low on the stem and are often hidden in surrounding grasses. After blooming, the above-ground part of the plant disappears. And these flowers aren’t just attractive to us. They are attractive to hummingbirds too – their pollinators (many red flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds)! Red Larkspur (Delphinium nudicaule) by Dan Sandri BACK TO LIST

Edith's Checkerspot Euphydryas editha Nymphalidae Brushfoots Flies March to July Host Plant Figwort Nectar Plant Kevin Hinsta D. L. Rawlinson Underwing

American Kestrel Diurnal Birds of Prey American Kestrel Falco sparverius All Year Diurnal Birds of Prey Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Found in open areas and semi-forested habitats. Orangish tail. Bluish wings characteristic of the male; female has orangish-brown wings. Smallest of the North American falcons. Often hovers in mid-air while hunting. Nests in cavities. Feeds on terrestrial arthropods and small vertebrates; small snakes, lizards, frogs, and fish may also be taken. See a 6-minute film about local kestrels by Wally De Young; first of MDIA 's "Wild Mount Diablo" film series: https://youtu.be/NEHLANzZUcU

Wildflower Mount Diablo OsoBerry Scientific Name: Oemleria cerasiformis Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family) Blooms: Feb - Mar Color: White Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Joyce Chin

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

Wildflower Mount Diablo Ferdler’s Meadow Rue Scientific Name: Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum Family: Ranunculaceae Blooms: Apr-May Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Red-tailed Hawk Diurnal Birds of Prey Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis All Year Diurnal Birds of Prey Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Occurs in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from open Woodlands to grasslands with scattered trees. Highly variable and plumage. In most birds, clearly defined a belly band and dark bar on leading edge of wing are good field marks; the red tail in adult birds is also diagnostic. Nest is built in a tree from sticks and twigs, and is lined with bark and leaves. Eats reptiles, birds, and mammals. More information about Red-Tailed Hawk

Wildflower Mount Diablo Wavyleaf Paintbrush Scientific Name: Castilleja applegatei Family: Orobanchaceae Blooms: May-Jun Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants