Susie the puppy and I started our stroll around Bon Tempe Lake about 11am.
The sun was out, hardly a cloud in the sky, a very breezy 68 degrees.
The Lake was at its maximum height from all the rain this year.
As we crossed the dam, you could see Mt Tam on the horizon, with the dark shady side
of the lake on the right, and the light sunny side on the left.
But there were only patches of mud on the trail from last week's rain. The
first half of the hike was on the shady side of the lake. There were still tons of Milk Maids
amongst the redwoods and Douglas firs. The memory of my father was strong here.
One of our last walks together was at the end of this trail to see the redwoods.
We reached the sunny side of the lake just after noon. Susie and I saw two Ospreys.
You can always identify 'em because they look like upsidedown "Ws" in the sky.
One was screeching ("yewk yewk" according to Roger Torey Peterson) at the other
and then separated. One worked Bon Tempe, the other heading off in the direction of Phoenix
Lake. The hills were just covered with Iris this week. Some spots mixed the
purple Iris with the yellow of the Sun Cups. Sunshine, flowers, breeze, and views of Mt. Tam
across the lake. Then back to the car by 1pm. A good 3 hour "mind floss."
Birds
Double-crested cormorant,
Mallard,
Turkey Vulture,
Osprey,
Anna's Hummingbird,
Scrub Jay,
Common Crow,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee,
Plain Titmouse,
? American Goldfinch
.
Reptiles & Amphibians, etc.
Banana slug.
Trees
? Knobcone Pine, Coulter Pine, Monterey Pine, Douglas Fir, Coast Redwood, Coast Live Oak,
Tan Oak, California (Bay) Laurel, Madrone.
Wildflowers
Star Lily,
Checker Lily,
Blue Dicks,
Blue-eyed Grass,
Douglas Iris,
Miner's Lettuce,
California Buttercup,
California Poppy,
Milk Maids,
Woodland Star,
Dove Lupine,
? Pea,
Sun Cups,
? Footsteps of Spring,
Coast Sanicle,
Purple Sanicle,
(Starflower),
Hound's Tongue,
Valley Popcorn Flower,
Indian Warrior,
Red-stemmed Filaree,
Bedstraw.
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-- Michael Paul Thoma
I'd value your comments. Email me at mthoma@best.com
Last updated 30 Oct, 1995.
