Some Rarities

This first picture is of a nice view along Islay Creek near the old dam. It is apparently part of the cultural and vernacular landscape of the area. Besides having some debris stuck in the diversion flap, both above and below still provide nice habitat for steelhead, one of our most threatened species.

We've also been doing some rare plant surveys in Montana de Oro recently. Here are three of our rarest plants that occur in different areas of the park. They range in habitat from the higher mountains mixed with Manzanita and Chamise to the lowest ares of the park where the salt and fresh water meet in the estuary. Here are;

Cordylanthus maritimus (Salt Marsh Bird's Beak)

Dithryea maritima (Beach Spectacle Pod)
Eriodictyon altissimum (Indian Knob Mountain Balm)
This last one with the penny shows how the IKMB emerges from the middle of disturbed sites. It will grow up to six feet tall and more, but always has little slender leaves and tiny purple flowers. This one is at risk of being trampled if we do not keep this section of trail closed.