Wildflower Mount Diablo California Wild Grape Scientific Name: Vitis californica Family: Vitaceae Blooms: June Color: Yellow-Orange Vine or Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

invasive plants Mount Diablo Invasive Plants Prev 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5 Next American Nightshade Solanum americanum Artichoke Thistle Cynara cardunculus Bellardia, Mediterranean Linseed Bellardia trixago Bermuda-buttercup, Sourgrass Oxalis pes-caprae Big Pod Lupine Lupinus pachylobus Black Mustard Brassica nigra Bristly Ox-tongue Helminthotheca echioides Broadleaf Lupine Lupinus latifolius Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare Bunch-Flowered Narcissus Narcissus tazetta Bur Chervil, Bur Parsley Anthriscus caucalis Bur Clover Medicago polymorpha Prev 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5 Next Up Jump to Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange

Wildflower Mount Diablo Woolly Mule Ears, Gray Mule Ears, Whitehead Mule Ears, Whitehead wyethia Scientific Name: Wyethia helenioides Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: April Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Stephen Smith Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Small-flowered Nemophila Scientific Name: Nemophila parviflora var. parviflora Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family) Blooms: May-Jun Color: White Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

Townsend's Warbler Warblers Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi Winter Warblers Randall Hobbett Daniel Fitzgerald Frequents oak or pine-oak woodlands and tall second-growth habitats. Streaked, olive-green back, yellowish breast with black streaking, white belly. Note especially the head: yellow cheek with black eye patch. Females are duller. Diet includes insects and other invertebrates.

Tarantulas Usher in the Fall Season by Abby Cohn Mount Diablo's Warm-Fuzzy Spiders October 1, 1998 Kevin Hintsa Guess what naturalist Ken Lavin got when he organized a hunt for some big, hairy spiders: A crowd! "I've never been on a tarantula hike before," said Nancy Norland of Danville as she joined nearly 40 participants preparing to scour the brown flanks of Mount Diablo for spiders roughly the size of an orchid corsage. Fall is the time of year when male tarantulas normally scuttle around the hills in search of mates hiding in burrows. The spiders are common enough to warrant the posting of tarantula crossing signs at the north and south entrances of the 20,000-acre state park. Tarantulas have "been scaring folks here for ages," Lavin told the group that had assembled at Mitchell Canyon. But he warned, "This is not particularly a good year." Indeed, during a 3 1/2-hour trek up steep dirt trails to Black Point, the group spotted no tarantulas. Lavin, a guide for the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, came prepared. He treated his audience to an encounter with a pair of mahogany-colored spiders that he had captured earlier in case there were no sightings. The captives -- they were slowly scaling the walls of their plastic containers -- weren't exactly an instant sensation. A nervous ripple of laughter traveled through the crowd when Lavin suggested that "we can pass these around and hold them" before letting them go. Participants seemed to warm up to the eight-legged guests of honor once they heard Lavin's description of the tarantula's life cycle and mostly gentle disposition. "Oh, he's beautiful," said Norland after letting one of them slowly creep across her hand. "He's so light." For 8-year-old Ryan Neil of Danville, the spider's touch was "furry" and not remotely frightening. "It felt like it was just harmless," he said. Ryan's father, Mike, said the promise of a spider hunt was all it took to snare his son and a friend, 8-year-old Miles Dobin, for the Sunday morning trek. "Even if you haven't been an 8-year-old boy, there's a natural appeal, I think," Neil said. That appeal drew about 400 people earlier this month to an annual tarantula festival at Henry W. Coe State Park in Morgan Hill. A chief goal of the festival was educating the public about creatures that seem to hold a horror, movie-like fascination, said ranger Barry Breckling. There was a similar message for the Mount Diablo hikers. Tarantulas, Lavin explained, have acquired a sinister reputation that is largely undeserved. "It turns out the tarantula is just about the most innocuous creature on Mount Diablo," he said. Sightings of the spiders figured prominently in 19th century accounts of trips up the mountain. A team of geologists returned from a surveying expedition in the early 1860s with wild tales of spiders "the size of small birds," he said. About he same time, copper miners gave whiskey the nickname of "tarantula juice" and claimed the drink was an antidote to the spider's feared bite. In reality, most spider encounters are far riskier for tarantulas than humans, Lavin explained. "They're very delicate," he cautioned as he picked up one of the captives and let it wander on a picnic table. "It's very easy to drop them. They lose their legs." Possessing a bite no worse than a bee sting and generally reluctant to attack, tarantulas often fall victim to the underside of hikers' boots and motorists' tires. They also can be eaten alive if attacked by a nasty parasitic wasp that first paralyzes the spider and then lays eggs on its body. The spider's primary defense: tiny, sharp hairs that it flicks off its abdomen. "I fed these guys," Lavin told his audience. "It took them 15 minutes to kill a cricket. It was kind of embarrassing." He had no explanation for the spider's apparent sparse numbers this fall. Most of the tarantulas roaming around are older males that have molted for the last time and are looking for females buried underground. Perhaps the spider population was reduced by a harsh winter when those males first hatched about seven years ago, Lavin speculated. Male spiders typically 7 to 10 years; females can live to be 20 years old. Dave Matthews, the park's supervising ranger, said he hadn't noticed a particular drop in the tarantula population, but confessed, "I'm not out counting." In hopes of protecting the spiders from being squashed under the tires of passing motorists, rangers last year posted warning signs at two main entrances. "We ask people to watch out for them," said Matthews, who noted that visitors aren't allowed to collect spiders or any other creatures in the park without a special permit like the one Lavin had obtained. While the trek up Mitchell Canyon turned up no tarantulas, the group did spot several burrows. The openings are roughly the size of a nickel and often are covered by a dense netting of web that alerts occupants to the arrival of potential prey -- or suitors. While spiders were the big draw for the morning outing, some hikers acknowledged that they had other reasons for showing up. "I wanted to be out on a Sunday," said Diablo resident Kay Batts, who started the morning playing the organ at a 7:30 Mass. As for the appeal of hunting for tarantulas, she admitted, "I'm more interested in his ladybug hike. " By the end of the trek, a few participants who initially feared spiders thought they'd be a bit more charitable toward tarantulas in the future. "I wouldn't get the broom now," said Carla Riboczi of Concord. "I'd probably let it alone." BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Hooker's Fairybells Scientific Name: Prosartes hookeri Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: White Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Wildflower Mount Diablo Baby Blue Eyes Scientific Name: Nemophila menziesii var. menziesii Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family) Blooms: Mar - Apr Color: Blue-Purple Annual herb Native Found in moist open slopes or open woodland, 1000 - 2500 feet; Mitchell Canyon, Sycamore Canyon. Also has a white form Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Visitor Center Status - Mount Diablo Summit Visitor Center Open 7 days/week Hours: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM One way foot traffic through the Visitor Center to minimize crowding. Enter at ground level and exit on second level. Lower floor (sales), Second floor (exhibit room) and Observatory deck will be open. Face coverings are required for all indoors regardless of vaccination status. Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center Open for outdoor operations on weekends and some holidays Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM The interior remains closed. Operations including sales are currently being done outdoors only. Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Bitterroot Scientific Name: Lewisia rediviva var. rediviva Family: Montiaceae (Spring Beauty Family) Blooms: Apr - Jun Color: White Perennial herb Native The scientific name originates from Meriweather Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804. Lewisia is also the state flower of Montana. Found at higher elevations on the mountain, especially in rocky scree. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Ruth Ann Kishi

Wildflower Mount Diablo Narrow-petaled Stonecrop Scientific Name: Sedum stenopetalum Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family) Blooms: May - Aug Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

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