Species native to both California and Chile are fascinating. How did that happen? #Plagiobothrys_fulvus #FieldPopcornFlower

Seems Thrashers just chill- as a species, they have high site fidelity. So much so, their DNA analysis mirror California geologic events and how, as a species, these birds reacted to pressures such as glaciation, an ancient connection of the Central Valley to the Pacific Ocean, the rise of the Transverse Mountains, etc.
#CaliforniaThrasher #Toxostoma_Redivivum

First #Callophrys_dumetorum, #BrambleHairstreak of the year.

Just simply one of the most fantastic native trees. In a few weeks, the fragrance of thousands of flowers will cloak each tree. #Aesculus_californica, #CaliforniaBuckeye #snackbuddy

That red eye is otherworldly. #HornedGrebe #Podiceps_auritus #lunchbuddy

An early spring bloom. #Pedicularis_densiflora, #WarriorsPlumeLousewort #hemiparasite

Cute as a button. #Peltigera_venosa, #FanLichen