Wildflower Mount Diablo Woolly-Tuft Malacothrix Scientific Name: Malacothrix floccifera Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Apr - Jun Color: White Annual herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Splendid Mariposa Lily Scientific Name: Calochortus splendens Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family) Blooms: May - Jun Color: Blue-Purple Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Red Sand-spurry Invasive Scientific Name: Spergularia rubra Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family) Blooms: Jan - Dec Color: Red-Pink Annual or perennial herb Introduced Naturalized from Europe, per Errter & Bowerman Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Hank Fabian, iNaturalist

Wildflower Mount Diablo Woodland Layia Scientific Name: Layia gaillardioides Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Apr - May Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Ruth Ann Kishi

The Amphitheater by Frank Valle-Riestra Reprinted from Mountain News, Spring/Summer 2009 Frank's Favorite Hikes July 1, 1998 All of us who enjoy walking in Mount Diablo State Park have our own favorite destination, perhaps a secret spot which we visit now and then, where we find peace of mind and nature at its best. The topographic complexity of Mount Diablo shelters quite an array of such spots—possibly a hidden cascade on the Falls Trail, a favorite formation on China Wall, or the perennial display of JohnnyJump-Ups on the Bruce Lee Road. My own favorite secret spot is “The Amphitheater”. “The Amphitheater” is a unique phenomenon in Mount Diablo State Park. It is a large bowl formed by the vertical cliffs of Highland Ridge, with sides of enveloping sandstone strata tilted and eroded into picturesque outcrops, not unlike those in Rock City. The bowl bottom is a level area of deep soil supporting a growth of lush grasses and magnificent, centuries-old oak trees, scattered like isolated giant sentinels across the green sward. It is a pastoral scene of unmatched beauty, and on a quiet sunny day you can imagine ghostly images of dancing nymphs in the mottled shade of the huge overhanging limbs, a vision from Greek mythology. The magic of this secret spot is enhanced by its location, in the southeastern-most part of the Park bordering Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, an area much less often visited than the main peak. Chances are you will have “The Amphitheater” all to yourself. A relatively easy way to reach “The Amphitheater” is from the Red Corral trailhead. Red Corral is on Morgan Territory Road, just one half mile beyond the twin narrow bridges, in the direction of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, or south. You cannot miss the corral on your left, as it is indeed painted red. There is very limited parking at the edge of the road; be sure not to block access to the two gates across the road from the corral. Start your walk at the left of the two gates, and follow the road straight ahead; posted “Morgan Creek Road”. The route takes you upward through a mature stream-side deciduous forest. Soon you penetrate a more open oak savanna where the road veers to the left. Here be on the lookout for a single-track trail on your right, Jeremiah Creek Trail. It is a delightful path that wends its way at the side of Jeremiah Creek, through an open forest typical of our coastal ranges. The gently rising route ends in a saddle of Highland Ridge, on the Old Finley Road. Take a left on Old Finley Road, and after a few steps, at another junction, follow the road as it veers off to the right and downhill. You will be treated to fine views of the Jackass Canyon wilderness below you and imposing Oyster Point beyond. After just a few minutes of easy walking, you will reach the first single-track trail on your left, the beginning of the posted Amphitheatre Trail. A short jaunt will deposit you in the middle of “The Amphitheater”, such a welcoming environment, to let you rest from your exertions so far. Find a sheltered spot for a picnic lunch, and afterward do a bit of exploring to discover any number of surprises. You might even scramble up one of the gentler sandstone formations for a bird’s-eye overlook. Photographic opportunities abound—if you find those nymphs, bring me a picture! The easiest way to return to your car is by retracing your steps. Should you prefer to see new things on the way back, however, why not complete a loop that will not take you all that much longer? Continue on the Amphitheatre Trail to its end at Crestview Road. This trail meanders below Highland Ridge, and its final climb to meet Crestview Road is quite steep, but not long. At Crestview Road turn left. Notice the spectacular views of Mount Diablo in profile and the distant delta region. Shortly you will reach the Highland Ridge Trail. Here make a sharp left and continue until you reach the posted “Morgan Creek Road” on your right, which you descend back to Red Corral. The loop is less than five miles, and your total climb is just under 1,000 feet. Figure on two-and-one-half hours of walking plus an hour in “The Amphitheater”. BACK TO LIST

Band-tailed Pigeon Pigeons and Doves Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata All Year Pigeons and Doves Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Tending to alight in trees and often in groups in woodland settings this plump dove has a broad pale band across the end of its tail, white band on hind neck, yellow feet and yellow black-tipped bill.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Spiny-fruit Buttercup Scientific Name: Ranunculus muricatus Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Blooms: Apr - Jun Color: Yellow-Orange Annual or perennial herb Introduced Toxicity: Mild dermatitis Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Hema Shah

Lasioglossum Lasioglossum Halictidae Lasioglossum Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Lasioglossum is species-rich and variable in size and coloration. Many are shiny, with a metallic sheen. Sized from very small to medium (2-8 mm). Wings have an arched basal vein and weak-veined submarginal cells. There may be 2 or 3 submarginal cells in the wings. Lasioglossum often have bands of hair at the base of each segment (different from Halictus ), but some have none. Can be difficult to ID to species. Nectar/ Pollen Plants Generalists, as they can have numerous generations each year (using different flowers). Habits Ground nesters. Species have a range of social behaviors. For example, some Lasioglossum in subgenus Dialictus are eusocial, while other Lasioglossum are solitary. Season Early Spring – Fall

Wildflower Mount Diablo Yellow Glandweed Scientific Name: Bellardia viscosa Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family) Blooms: Apr-Oct Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Greater Periwinkle Invasive Scientific Name: Vinca major Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) Blooms: Mar - Apr Color: Blue-Purple Perennial vine Introduced from Europe Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Bill Karieva

Halcones peregrinos de Pine Canyon y el equipo MDIA Peregrine por Anastasia Hobbet June 1, 2024 por Dave Furseth Read this article in English El animal más rápido del mundo es vecino tuyo. Es el halcón peregrino, que alcanza más de 200 millas por hora durante sus precipitadas inmersiones mientras caza. ¿DIRECCIÓN? Mount Diablo State Park y sus alrededores, donde al menos dos parejas ahora se están preparando para anidar en los espectaculares pináculos de Pine Canyon y las remotas Black Hills sobre Black Hawk, donde pasarán la primavera y el verano empollando los huevos y criando a los jóvenes hasta los niños se vuelven independientes. Suena optimista, pero en este punto se necesita un gran "si": si las aves pueden tener suficiente privacidad y aislamiento. Necesitan mucho espacio tranquilo, y con más de 100.000 visitantes por año visitando Pine Canyon, ¿es posible la privacidad? ¿Para cualquier criatura? La responsabilidad de garantizar cierto aislamiento para las aves de Pine Canyon recae en dos parques: Castle Rock, que es un parque regional de East Bay; y el Parque Estatal Mount Diablo. El acceso principal a la parte baja de Pine Canyon es a través del primero, pero los acantilados de arenisca de Pine Canyon se encuentran justo sobre el límite dentro del Parque Estatal, formando una sección de su borde más occidental. Dos zonas anuales de cierre de anidación que se extienden desde el 1 de febrero hasta el 31 de julio ayudan a estos veloces cazadores aéreos a sentir cierta confianza en su seguridad. El personal de los dos parques adyacentes coopera para hacer cumplir el cierre, pero es difícil para un supervisor del parque que trabaja con un personal reducido despachar a alguien rápidamente, lo cual es clave. El uso generalizado del DDT a partir de finales de la década de 1950 casi acabó con los peregrinos en Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo occidental. Interfirió con la deposición de calcio, adelgazando tanto las cáscaras de los huevos de la madre que se agrietaron cuando intentó sentarse sobre ellas. Los embriones murieron, provocando el colapso de la población. El DDT finalmente se prohibió en los EE. UU. en 1972, y algunos años más tarde, Save Mount Diablo inspiró un esfuerzo masivo y exitoso para devolver las aves a Castle Rock. Mantener a las aves a salvo durante los seis meses de reproducción ha resultado complicado. La era Covid llevó a la gente con fiebre de cabaña a los parques (a todos los parques en todas partes) e incluso los lugares más apartados en Mount Diablo y sus alrededores, en senderos legales y senderos pirateados, quedaron llenos de huellas de botas, neumáticos de bicicletas y cascos de caballos. Los voluntarios de MDIA formaron el Equipo Peregrine en 2015 para apoyar la aplicación de la ley en las zonas de cierre por parte de los guardabosques y el personal de los dos parques. Esta (2024) es la décima temporada del equipo. Además de informar a los excursionistas sobre el cierre, los detectan en el área de cierre y, si es posible, interactúan gentilmente con ellos cuando regresan al sendero legal, o mejor aún: antes de que lo abandonen, sobre la ética y los beneficios. de respetar las zonas de veda. Tú también puedes ayudar. Planee caminar por Stage Road en Pine Canyon y los senderos desde Curry Point. Verás señales de cierre. Visite a otros excursionistas a medida que avanza. Si ve personas que podrían dirigirse a las zonas de cierre, dígales cuidadosamente las señales. Si deciden invadir la propiedad, no intervenga. Recordarán tus palabras. El crowdsourcing funciona... eventualmente. Volver a la página del Equipo Peregrine por Scott Hein Peregrino en vuelo Lleva al equipo a la acción Los miembros del equipo Peregrine lideran caminatas grupales durante la temporada de anidación en Pine Canyon BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Chicory Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Jul-Aug Color: Blue-Purple Perennial herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald