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Wildflower Mount Diablo Narrow-leaf Mule Ears Scientific Name: Wyethia angustifolia Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Apr - Jun Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Wildflower Mount Diablo Sour Clover Scientific Name: Melilotus indicus Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: April 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

Wildflower Mount Diablo Broadleaf Lupine Scientific Name: Lupinus latifolius Family: Lupinus (Legume Family) Blooms: Apr - May Color: Blue-Purple Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Mountain Lions by Michael Sewell Mount Diablo State Park January 1, 1999 The animal population I am most frequently asked about is that of the mountain lion, also called the puma or cougar. There are twenty-seven different subspecies. The local variety is one of the largest subspecies, but it has become extinct in may of the areas where it once thrived. It would not be entirely accurate to say that there is a mountain lion population on Mount Diablo. Lions have been known to range over 20 miles in one night. They use Mount Diablo as part of their range. No other animal presents a stronger case for the importance of wildlife corridors, such as the one connecting Mount Diablo with Morgan Territory park, and with Black Diamond Mines Regional Park. Over the years, there have been many mountain lion sightings. Here's a glimpse of a few recent ones: a very large, dark-colored mountain lion was seen on Mount Diablo in the Pine Canyon area; a mountain lion and cub tracks appeared around my photography blind while I slept one night in 1989 on Mount Diablo, and; a mountain lion and cub (I believe the same pair) were spotted a few weeks later near Danville. Still another sighting of an adolescent occurred on the road near Juniper campground in 1990. All three of these young lion sightings were probably the same lion. I also got a fleeting glimpse of an adult last year in the Morgan Territory area. Based on these sightings and others, I believe a handful of mountain lions use Mount Diablo as part of their range. While it may be true that Mount Diablo is the most important part of their range, without corridors to other protected lands, they will probably not survive in the area. Download Common Mammal Tracks of Mount Diablo (pdf) BACK TO LIST

Ticks and Lyme Disease Reprinted from Mount Diablo Review, Summer 2007 June 1, 2007 Western Blacklegged tick | CDC Ticks are a fact of life in all Bay Area wilderness parks, including Mount Diablo year around, in various stages of development. The Western Black-Legged Tick can act as a vector transmitting Lyme disease resident in its digestive tract as it feeds. The first cases of Lyme disease were reported in California in 1978. The adult tick has a dark head, a dark reddish brown body which can be as small as 1/8”. The eight-legged nymph is 1/16” while a six-legged larva is as small as the period at the end of this sentence. All of the stages need a blood meal. If this type of tick attaches itself to you, there is a small possibility of contracting Lyme disease. Only a small percentage carries it. If the tick is removed within 24 hours, the risk of the disease is greatly reduced.It is wise during and after any outing into the wilderness to undertake a few simple precautions: Wear light colors so ticks can be seen before attaching themselves to skin. Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants tucked into socks. Use approved repellents on shoes, clothing, and exposed skin. Avoid brushing against tall grass and weeds. Occasionally check your clothing and skin for ticks during and after your hike. At home, when showering, check over your body. Note: You will usually feel the tick crawling on you before it embeds itself. If a tick is embedded, do not apply alcohol, heat, petroleum jelly or other substance to the tick. Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District recommends grasping the tick as close to your skin as possible, with fine-tipped tweezers. With a slow and steady motion, pull it away from your skin. Dab the area with an antiseptic, tick fluids can be infected so if it gets crushed wash the bite area and your hands with soap. SAVE THE TICK! Place the tick in a dated container such as a sealed plastic bag along with a MOISTENED tissue. It can be taken to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District in Concord for identification and testing. This is a free service (your tax dollars pay for it). However, if the tick is dead, the process is more complicated and a charge will be levied. Call them at 925-685-9301 for further details. If you later develop any symptoms such as a rash, joint pains, fever. consult a physician, giving information about the tick and its identification. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Free informative brochures on the subject are available weekends in the MDIA Visitor Center at the Mitchell Canyon entrance or you can contact the Concord office of the vector control at 925-685-9301. Please, do not let worries about exposure affect the pleasure of visiting our parks. Tick removal | CDC BACK TO LIST

Purplish Copper Lycaena helloides Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies July to October Host Plant Dock Nectar Plant Michael Marchiano Underwing Hank Fabian Female

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Ruby-crowned Kinglet Corthylio calendula Winter Wrens, Kinglets, and Gnatcatchers Michael Marchiano Occurs in a wide variety of habitats ranging from brushy areas to open or dense woodlands and forests. Olive-green upper parts, two white wing bars, conspicuous eye ring, and (in males, but not always visible) red crown patch. Song is comprised of several high-pitched introductory notes followed by a rapid, jumbling cacophony of rich, bubbly notes. Note habit of frequently flicking its wings, as if it were nervous. Eats a diverse array of insects and spiders, supplemented with occasional fruits or seeds.

Behr's Silvery Blue Glaucopsyche lygdamus incognitus Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies March to May Host Plant Lupine, Legumes, Vetches Nectar Plant Daniel Fitzgerald Female Daniel Fitzgerald Male Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Muir's Hairstreak Callophrys muiri Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies March to July Host Plant Juniper, Cypress Nectar Plant Oregon sunshine, Interior redberry, Narrow-leaved goldenbush D. L. Rawlinson Underwing

Metalmarks Mormon Metalmark Apodemia mormo

Wildflower Mount Diablo Purple vetch Scientific Name: Vicia benghalensis Family: Fabaceae Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Red-Pink Annual herb or vine Not natve Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Wildflower Mount Diablo California Blackberry Scientific Name: Rubus ursinus Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family) Blooms: Apr Color: White Vine or shrub Native Leaflets of three are commonly mistaken for poison oak , but blackberry leaves are hairy and prickly. Blackberries are commonly found near the creeks that flow through many canyons. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring