California Poppy Fairy Bee Perdita interrupta Andrenidae Perdita Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Perdita interrupta is a very small (4-5 mm), deep metallic bluish bee with incomplete ivory bands on the second through fifth tergal segments of the abdomen. The abdomen does have a brown background, but often the abdomen appears to be black and ivory. Base of mandibles, clypeus (lower face), labrum (large plate that folds up under the clypeus) and surrounding area is ivory white. Wing has abruptly-ending marginal cell, 2 submarginal cells and a large stigma. Nectar/ Pollen Plants A specialist on California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica ) as a pollen collector. May visit other flowers, including Cryptantha , for nectar. Habits Ground nesters, but details not known. Season April - June, timed to blooming of California Poppy

Umber Skipper Lon melane Hesperiidae Skippers Flies April to October Host Plant Grass Nectar Plant California buckeye, Bull thistle Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Wildflower Mount Diablo Elegant Clarkia, Canyon Clarkia Scientific Name: Clarkia unguiculata Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) Blooms: Apr - Jun Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native, endemic to California Found throughout Mitchell Canyon, elegant clarkia, along with other members of the evening primrose family has 4 petals and exhibits ovaries that occur well beow the flower on the stem. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Blow Wives, seed pods Scientific Name: Achyrachaena mollis Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Apr - May Color: White Annual herb Native The fruits of this sunflower relative are showier than its diminutive yellow flowers. The wind picks up these pretty fruits and "blows" them away. Look for them in the grasslands between Donner and Mitchell Canyons. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Hank Fabian, iNaturalist Seed pod form Kevin Hintsa Flower form

Wildflower Mount Diablo Sacramento Valley Buttercup Scientific Name: Ranunculus canus Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Blooms: Feb - Apr Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native, endemic to California 5-8 petals. Toxicity: minor dermatitis. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Western Tanager Tanagers Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Summer Tanagers Daniel Fitzgerald Found in open coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands. Breeding male is unmistakeable; note dull olive back and yellowish underparts on female. Both sexes have white and yellow wing bars. Compare these birds (especially females) to Bullock's Oriole . Tanagers build their cup-shaped nest in trees, using twigs, small roots, grass, and moss. Feeds mostly on insects but also eats fruits.

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Nymphalidae Brushfoots Flies All year Host Plant Nettle Nectar Plant Mount Diablo manzanita, Contra Costa manzanita Dan Fitzgerald Liam O'Brien

Wildflower Mount Diablo Snapdragon Scientific Name: Sairocarpus vexillocalyculatus Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family) Blooms: May Color: Blue-Purple Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Flower detail Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Full plant

Dragonfly By Jenn Roe and Dirk Muehlner Marvelous Animal Adaptations May 21, 2025 by Dirk Muehlner The dragonfly’s large compound eyes are made up of thousands of optical units which help the dragonfly see in almost every direction at the same time. An almost 360 degree world view; now that’s super vision! Why does a dragonfly need to see everywhere at one time? How does this adaptation help the dragonfly survive in its wild habitat ? What other adaptations allow it to succeed? Flying Hunters The dragonfly is an avid carnivore of the insect world and skilled hunter often on the lookout for smaller flying insects. Its large compound eyes peer in every direction but behind, which is how it finds its prey and watches out for enemies. The dragonfly is built to fly fast, up to 30 miles per hour. With its strong, agile wings and long, narrow body, it zips through the air to snatch slower flying insects for a quick meal. Also, the dragonfly has a strong jaw for tough chewing of crunchy prey. But don’t worry – while its bite may be lethal to insects, it won’t hurt a human handler (however, please handle with care always!). Download this article by Dirk Muehlner A dragonfly’s skilled flight make it an awesome predator and helps it avoid being eaten. Its enemies include other fast flyers like some birds, bats, and sometimes other dragonflies. BACK TO LIST

Allen's Hummingbird Hummingbirds Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin Summer Hummingbirds Daniel Fitzgerald Found in residential areas, riparian, open oak woodlands, or chaparral. Male is told by combination of rufous sides and tail, and green back and crown; also note white breast. Compare with Rufous Hummingbird , as some males of that species might resemble Allen's. Females are generally not separable in the field from female Rufous Hummingbird. Nests in trees, shrubs or in vines. Nest is a cup-shaped structure built from lichens, leaves, plant down, seeds, and spider's silk. Feeds on nectar from flowers, and small insects.

Western Pygmy-Blue Brephidium exilis exilis Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies June to November Host Plant Pigweed Nectar Plant Alice Castellanos Bob Hislop Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Deer Flat Hike by Steve Smith Reprinted from the MDIA E-Newsletter December 2024 December 1, 2024 Steve Smith As wet weather and winter sets in the question arises, where to hike with limited mud? One of the best options is to head up Mitchell Canyon Road to Deer Flat (and beyond). This hike is a 7.3 mile out-and-back with 1550 feet of climbing and features a fabulous surprise along the way. Starting at Mitchell Canyon, head up the canyon for a couple of miles. It is so lovely this time of year to have the constant melody of Mitchell Creek running alongside you. Watch for pops of color from Snowberry and Toyon, or even a myriad of fungi. But the true surprise awaits you 2 miles in as you will start to notice the bare twigs and trunks have taken on a unique coating...ladybugs! In their winter 'hybernation' are millions of convergent lady beetles in huge masses of color. Enjoy them here, and perhaps have a stop at the picnic tables, before you begin your ascent up the many switchbacks. Just before you start climbing you will see a volunteer trail off to your left heading to the creek. Take this lovely spur and have a quiet moment next to the old springbox dam just 50 yards up. This is a great place for a video with full sound of the rushing waters to share later. Now comes the climb! You will start up the crookedest road on Mount Diablo as you navigate 15 or so switchbacks. No matter how many times I hike this trail I'm always convinced that the next corner is the last corner...it never is. Take breaks along the way to gaze over at Eagle Peak looming above. In the latter part of December you should start seeing the urn-like blooms of Big Berry Manzanita. As you continue to climb you will be rewarded by either the views of the valley behind you, or the quiet solitude of a fog bank enveloping you. Once you finally do navigate that last corner, you will be greeted by a rest stop at Deer Flat with several tables to enjoy, and lovely views of Eagle Peak, Black Point and Mitchell Canyon. Take a moment. Your route back from here is simple, retrace your steps back the way you came and take notice of all the things you missed with a different perspective than on the way up. Of course if you want to extend your journey there are a multitude of ways back which incorporate a loop. Buyer beware, those other routes can be a bit tricky in the winter (Eagle Peak, Back Creek, Meridian Ridge). Ladybugs Switchbacks Map of Deer Flat Hike BACK TO LIST