Weed Mapping Vistas

While out doing my mandatory weed mapping exercises I see a lot of nice views. CA poppies blooming up past Hazard Peak on the way down to Manzanita trail.
A view of Morro Rock from Hazard Peak.
Enjoy and protect your outdoor spaces for future generations!

Alan Peak Hike

Alan Peak is the last peak in Montana de Oro. The trail goes up to Valencia, then Oats, then back to Alan (or rather false Alan). The real peak is further along the ridge, but the trail is very overgrown past this point and this is considered th end of the trail for most. I love how beat up the sign is. It's been suggested that a hiker log book be placed so folks can sign in rather than graffiti the sign, but who's going to volunteer to hike 11 miles round trip to collect and replace the sign. Hardly anyone goes up here as is.
This is the view that awaits you looking back towards Spooner's cove.

The grasslands at the top of the hill were covered with ladybird beetles (ladybugs) and swallowtail butterflies. Really a nice walk, although a bit tough on the toes coming down hill.

Today's Wildlife

It's been a while and I've said that before, but work is crazy busy, we've been remodeling a house and I've had no time for naything but work, work, work. I have been hiking a lot lately mapping weeds in the park, so I thought I would start posting again since I have been seeing a lot of cool stuff. And I've been taking more scenery shots, so besides my normal single species shots, I will be posting more vistas too.

Here is what spring brings to anything with a hole. The birds make the holes (in an outhouse this time) and then the bees take over.
Here's a yellow bellied racer that was sunning just off the bluff trail near the first bridge at Montana de Oro. 10AM is a great time to see a lot of snakes as they come out to warm themselves in the morning. If the fog lasts and it's not too cool, they will stay out for hours.

Another common snake along the bluff trail and near the sandspit day use parking lot are rattlesnakes. This was the only one I saw today, but it was a bit cool. It's nice to see them sunning themselves in the morning warmth. If you see one, observe from a distance and please leave them alone.

Can you see the face in this picture?

This young bobcat walked up the road right past me and underneath the vehicle. I got out to see where it went and it was three feet off the road hiding in the bushes. Our large kitty friends (bobcat and mountain lion) often hide just out of sight and can be mere feet from the trail.