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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

Mount Diablo Dragonflies and Damselflies A Preliminary Survey by Douglas Vaughan Berkeley, California May 2003 - May 2004 I conducted a preliminary survey of adult dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) at Mount Diablo State Park between May 2003 and May 2004. During this period, I made 12 visits to the Park, surveying each of four different sites two to six times. I made no visits during April, September, or the period between mid-June and mid-July—nor during the winter months. Two tables summarize my findings. Several points underscore the preliminary nature of this survey: Unsurveyed sites, including Frog Pond on the south side of the mountain and Mitchell Canyon, might yield additional species. Pine Pond, the largest water feature in the Park and site of the greatest observed diversity, is surrounded by dense stands of emergent vegetation; a more aggressive survey that penetrated this vegetation and reached the main body of the pond might produce additional species there. During mid-season many dragonflies patrol meadows well away from water; I was unable to identify many of these insects. Great spreadwing, damselfly, Sulphur Springs Pond | Michael Marchiano Nonetheless, 25 of the 38 species currently known from Contra Costa County were found in the Park, including two observed only by others. I captured and examined in hand at least one individual of each of the 23 species I observed, except California Darner (Rhionaeschna [=Aeshna ] californica ), Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia ), and Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata ), which were confidently identified in flight. Several additional species known from Contra Costa County seem likely to be present in the Park, especially Pacific and Black-fronted Forktails (Ischnura cervula and I. denticollis ), Aztec Dancer (Argia nahuana ), Exclamation Damsel (Zoniagrion exclamationis ), Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata ), Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctosa ), and Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis ). Indeed, I briefly observed a probable male Widow Skimmer in Donner Canyon but was not able to identify it with certainty. In addition, several species not yet found in Contra Costa County might be expected in the Park. Prominent examples include California and Emma’s Dancers (Argia agrioides and A. emma ), Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella ), Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens ), and Western Meadowhawk (Sympetrum occidentale ). The attached tables offer two presentations of the survey results. The annotated checklist indicates the dates on which the four sites were visited and the species found at each. The abundances indicated in the notes for each species should be taken as speculative. Species indicated as “uncommon,” in particular, might well be more common at other sites (or, say, within the perimeter of Pine Pond) or during periods I did not visit the Park. The second table provides a rough indication of seasonal distributions , though no conclusions should be drawn for species observed only once or twice. Note also that this table merges observations from March through mid-May 2004 with those of mid-May through October 2003. The dots in the four upper rows of the table indicate the approximate dates of visits to the four surveyed sites. In conclusion, Mt. Diablo supports a significant diversity of dragonfly and damselfly species, especially in light of the relatively few ponds and perennial streams within the Park. Particularly notable were the large numbers of patrolling darners (mostly Blue-eyed Darners) over the meadows well away from water during much of the spring and summer, and the striking abundance of Black Spreadwings during the first half of the season. Table I: Mount Diablo Odonata Annotated List Table II: Mount Diablo Odonata Seasonal Distribution * See Annotated List Source: Biologist/nature photographer David Liebman of Norfolk Below is a list of additional websites for information about dragonflies and damselflies: Virginia's Natural Heritage Program at http://www.vararespecies.org/ USGS Dragonflies and Damselflies of the United States: https://www.usgs.gov/science-explorer-results?es=dragonflies+and+damselflies Worldwide Dragonfly Association at https://worlddragonfly.org/ Digital Dragonflies at https://agrilife.org/dragonfly/ Odonata Information Network at http://www.dragonflies.org/ Catching and Preserving Dragonflies FAQ: http://dragonflywebsite.com/articles/collecting/morse2.html Dragonfly Biodiversity: https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater- museum/biodiversityresources/dragonflies/

Wildflower Mount Diablo Horehound Invasive Scientific Name: Marrubium vulgare Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family) Blooms: April Color: White Perennial herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo Persian Speedwell Scientific Name: Veronica persica Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family) Blooms: Feb - May Color: Blue-Purple Annual herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Prickly Sow Thistle Invasive Scientific Name: Sonchus asper Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: March Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Flower detail Daniel Fitzgerald Full plant Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Slender Phlox, Annual Phlox, Scientific Name: Microsteris gracilis Family: Polemoniaceae Blooms: Mar - Apr Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Long Spurred Plectritis Scientific Name: Plectritis ciliosa Family: Valerianaceae (Valerian Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Lovely-tailed Mourning Bee Melecta separata callura Apidae Melecta Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Melecta separata callura is a medium-to-large, (~15 mm) beautiful cuckoo bee: it parasitizes the nest of Anthophora (Digger) bees by laying an egg in the completed, provisioned nest. Forewings have 3 submarginal cells. The abdomen is black, with white patching, and legs are white-patched. Females lack scopae (they don't provision nests). The name Lovely-tailed Mourning Bee is believed to be derived from the description of the pointed abdomen of the female bee combined with the black and white coloration which resembles the mourning attire that may be worn at a funeral. Nectar/ Pollen Plants Nectar generalists, without care for pollen. Habits Cleptoparasitic, these bees sneak into completed Anthophora nests (by digging down through the sealed burrows) and lay an egg on the nest cell cap. Its larva hatches, drains the Anthophora egg using its sickle like mandibles, and then eats the nest provisions. The larva pupates in the cell and emerges in Spring. Season March - May

Wildflower Mount Diablo Muehlenburgers Centaury Scientific Name: Zeltnera muehlenbergii Family: Gentianaceae Blooms: Apr-Jul Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Crevice Alumroot Scientific Name: Heuchera micrantha Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family) Blooms: Color: White Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Flower detail Daniel Fitzgerald Inflorescence

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

The Mount Diablo Observatory Association (MDOA) is dedicated to public education in astronomy. The organization includes scientists, engineers, and other professionals with a common interest in astronomy and a desire to further science education. MAILING ADDRESS: Mt. Diablo Observatory Association, Inc. P.O. Box 3165 Walnut Creek, CA 94598-3165 3 cups Blueberries 3 cups Flour 1½ cups Butter The Mount Diablo Observatory Association (MDOA) is dedicated to public education in astronomy. The organization includes scientists, engineers, and other professionals with a common interest in astronomy and a desire to further science education. MAILING ADDRESS: Mt. Diablo Observatory Association, Inc. P.O. Box 3165 Walnut Creek, CA 94598-3165 In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, NASA Great Observatories -- Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory -- have produced a matched trio of images of the central region of our Milky Way. Stargazing on Mount Diablo Mount Diablo Astronomical Society (MDAS) Event Calendar The Mount Diablo Observatory Association, Inc. (MDOA) is a cooperating organization within Mount Diablo State Park. Incorporated in 1988, MDOA members planned, raised funds and established an astronomical observatory. The observatory consists of a Solar powered 96 square foot roll-off roof observatory, and a 500 square foot warming room. The heart of the observatory is a computer controlled Celestron 14, which has a variety of electronic attachments, a CCD camera, and photographic equipment. The addition of a refractor to the observatory has enhanced the photographic tasks and the public outreach of the observatory. A 15 Kilowatt generator provides all the electrical needs for lighting, heating, and AC for the comfort of our visitors in the warming room. At nearly 3800 feet above the mean sea level, the observatory has an unobstructed view of the night sky (and Mount Diablo is the highest mountain within the San Francisco Bay Area with a public access observatory). Every year MDOA and its sister organization, Mount Diablo Astronomical Society, operate Public Astronomy Programs under the sponsorship of Mount Diablo State Park. This program is now in its 28th year! For written information, applications for Associate Membership ($30/year; $25 annual membership + $5 MDAS name badge) to support the observatory or for other correspondence feel free to contact us by email, or in writing at: Mount Diablo Astronomical Society P.O. Box 4889 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Celestron 14 | Jon Wilson Planetary Nebula, M 57 in Lyra. June 12, 2010 Information for Visitors: EXCITEMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! MOON Photographed April 13, 2009 Participate in hands-on astronomy activities followed by supervised observing through the many different telescopes of MDAS members. Bring snacks, water, binoculars, and warm clothes. If you bring a flashlight please cover it with red material. Please note that only Mount Diablo Astronomy Docents may set up telescopes on Public Nights. LOCATION DETAIL Mount Diablo, at the Lower Summit Parking Lot off Summit Road, almost to the top of Mount Diablo Summit Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 More information at: Mount Diablo Astronomical Society Another astronomy link: Western Amateur Astronomers The material above is provided by Mount Diablo Observatory Association and Mount Diablo Astronomical Society