7.2 miles in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve on the Whittemore Gulch and Harkins Ridge Loop. This is one of my favorite places to hike on the SF peninsula. It’s in the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The views of the ocean are spectacular plus you get redwoods, Purisima Creek (which is flowing right now!), mushrooms, banana slugs, wildflowers, and miles of trails. This place definitely feels mystical and special when there’s fog down by the creek. It’s a place I recommend all the time! Decent bathrokms and well marked trails are a bonus. 😃🌳🥾 #purisima #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpeninsula #hiking #bayareahiking #sfpeninsula #redwoods #redwoodhiking #halfmoonbay #halfmoonbayhiking #womenhikers #mushrooms #fungus #adventure #norcalhiking #norcalhikingtrails #california #californiahiker
#purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #mushrooms #bananaslugs #openspace #openspacepreserve
From the ocean 🌊 to redwoods 🌲 there is a lot in the Half Moon Bay area to see and visit in just 3 short days! We typically always try to see everything here but end up needing a vacation from our vacation 😂🤯 #halfmoonbay #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #grabtowngulchtrail #redwoods #redwoodforest #californiaredwoods #getoutside #getoutdoors #goforahike #hikingadventures #nature #naturelover #naturelovers #naturephotography #nature_perfection #love #latergram
I 💖💕💖 Banana Slugs 😊 From our hike today at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve on the Grabtown Gulch Trail. #bananaslug #bananaslugs #halfmoonbay #purisimacreekredwoods #grabtowngulchtrail #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #redwoods #californiaredwoods #redwoodforest #getoutside #getoutdoors #goforahike #hikingadventures #nature #naturelover #naturelovers #naturephotography #nature_perfection #love #latergram
How it started ☺️ and how it ended 🥵 This 5 mile hike was a bit challenging because it had been unseasonably warm for this time of year! So grateful for the canopy of trees which made it so much easier to finish! Unfortunately because it was warm - not a single banana slug. Ugh. #52hikechallenge #52hikechallenge2023 #hikersofinstagram #hikergirls #hikecalifornia #hikebayarea #bayareatrails #hike #hiker #hiking #womenwhohike #womenwhoexplore #hikerbabe #hikerbabes #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreektrail #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #sanmateocountyparks
If you’ve just hiked at upper Huddart Park or just feel like stopping for a place to sit in the Redwoods along Skyline Blvd, or have a short fairly level accessible stroll on the Redwood Trail at Purisima, there are benches and picnic tables along this pretty little trail. You’ll see hundreds of huckleberries this time of year, while you gaze out into the forest with a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. You might see hikers going by with the intent of hiking all the way down and back. Me- have at it, folks! BTDT. Take your water and drink it! Start from the southern-most Redwood parking lot. Some spots require 4WD but the Accessible spot is not bad. No pets though. @bayareabenches @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservesummer2023
On the Harkins Ridge Trail, with views of Higgins Canyon Road and Purisima Creek Road . . . #halfmoonbay #halfmoonbayca #halfmoonbaycalifornia #purisimacreek #purissimacreek #purisimacreekcanyon #purissimacreekcanyon #purisimacreekredwoods #harkinsridgetrail #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodspreserve
We were up on Skyline Blvd today for various reasons (what a MESS multiple wind and rain storm-wise 😱!) so hey, why not check out The Kings Mountain Manzanita (maybe the northernmost specimen! Who knows?!) across from the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve main parking lot. Which I found a number of years ago. Golly, it has the requisite pink ribbons! (With annotation BTW) A while back a @midpenopenspace Ranger saw me looking, and wondered if I was looking at the Manzanita. Me- how did you know? Him- it’s labeled! Me- 😎 (1-4) So it’s doing fine, past blooming, but among the expected CA natives Huckleberry and Tanoak there’s a lot of French Broom. If someone, let’s conjecture, were to clip the broom, would anyone squeak? Asking for a friend. #kingsmountainmanzanita #arctostaphylosregismontana #arctostaphylosregismontana2023 #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservespring2023 @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa
Had to pay a way overdue visit to some old Manzanita Frens at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP. (1,2) Oh no, the beribboned Kings Mountain Manzanita that got knocked over by a falling Madrone some years ago finally gave up. 😥 (3,4) Elsewhere though, some are doing fine! They bloom now, you know. With the rain and storms, wondering if seeds fell off and floated downhill to a new growing site. We’ll see! (5,6) Oh dear, another one bit the dust. Looks like it fell over and broke off higher up the embankment. (I didn’t look closer). (7) Meanwhile a population of Sticky Monkeyflowers is inviting me to look up, as they guard more Neeters. (8) What I had thought on previous visits was a few Kingies, is one giant one doing its floppy resting thing. Maybe over 30’ tall? !! (Or more appropriately long, in this case). Instead of fighting the redwoods and other tall trees here and growing upwards, it got smart and crept. ☺️ #kingsmountainmanzanita #arctostaphylosregismontana #arctostaphylosregismontana2023 (9,10) Next door, a Brittle-leafer (aka Crispy Critter) Manzanita. Note the burl, and not quite flowering. #arctostaphyloscrustacea #arctostaphyloscrustaceasspcrustacea #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservewinter2023 #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservenativeplants #midpenos #midpeninsulaopenspace @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa
(1) A few fungi from yesterday at upper Purisima. I wanted Ranger Steve to know I was interesting in looking at more than just some manzanita across the road. Actually this looks bright and cheery- it was cold with blowing fog and yes my pant legs were zipped on, I wore a beanie and a jacket. Almost went for gloves. Up in the damp Douglas Fir- Redwood- Tanoak etc forest the ground is still damp so fungi aren’t all dried up again yet. (2) You have to keep moving; you stand still too long the Fomitopsis shrooms’ll get ya. 😱 (3,4) Rufous and Regular CC’s hanging near each other. Mind you, underground the mycelium network must be absolutely astounding. All these cuties are “just” the fruiting bodies. Go to a Fungus Fair to get the real scoop. (5) Turkeys (Tails) grow big and thick here. (6) Several large Dyer’s Polypores (Phaeolus schweinitzii) look like they are attached to the ground under the gigantic Doug Firs here along the Chris MacIntosh Trail. Chris is a very long time Midpen Docent (the longest ever?) and leads Fungus Fun hikes up here. Anyway, this is a “fungal plant pathogen that causes butt rot on conifers such as Douglas Fir” (from iNat). Gracious! Around the Redwood Trail and down Purisima Creek Trail a little bit, checking things out. (7,9) Lots of Winter Russulas looking very pretty in red and white on the embankment. (8) More Lactaria rubiduses here and there. (10) To to make sure everyone’s aware that False Turkey Tails, Stereum hirsuta, grow here too! #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservewinter2023 #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservefungi #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa
As usual, a story. Figuring out what to do today, to check out cool stuff and get exercise. We are pretty fortunate around here year round, just wish everyone took advantage. Meanwhile, drove up to 35 on Kings Mtn Road and wow the mess. Rangers and friends say it was harrowing for many days, and I can see that. I told Ranger Steve G who worried about me skittering across the street that I’m glad I didn’t drive up there to get in the way. (1-6) THE Kings Mountain Manzanita (right here) is starting to bloom! I was rooting for it, but it’s been whacked the past few years and no one cared. 😞Wow- pink ribbons! Ranger Steve knew it was a special Neeter bc it was written on the ribbon. Another story IYKYK. (7) So many Huckleberries. (8) Blowing fog across Skyline Blvd. I have a huge backlog (many decades) and here too- esp fungi, so stay tuned! @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservewinter2023 #kingsmountainmanzanita #arctostaphylosregismontana #arctostaphylosregismontana2023
Mush•room (verb): to spring up suddenly or multiply rapidly . . . . . . . #commonstumpbrittlestem #psathyrellapiluliformis #brittlestems #psathyrella #mushroom #mushrooms #californiamushrooms #mushroomsofinstagram #mushroomphotography #mushroomseason #mycology #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreek #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #baynature #naturephotography #naturejournal
As they say, the rest of the story. After our Teague Hill Treasure Hunt on Friday, I say to Nancy and Byron, hey now that you’re experts at telling Kings Mountain and Brittle-leaf manzanitas apart, wanna go see the one (as in one) across from the main Purisima parking lot? Sure! Background- I love manzanitas and Ericaceae plants- growing up in northern Oregon we had Rhodies and Azaleas, so Neeters farther south was just a small leap. When Rangerchick Frances showed me a KMM at La Honda Creek almost 8 years ago, I’m going, awesome, and that treasure hunt began, using Jepson, @calfloradatabase , and CA botany books. In Calflora I saw a dot in the middle of CS Reservoir but description was on Skyline. So ca. three years ago searching; the reference point doesn’t exist anymore- Farwell’s Rhodies- but close by I found this character. Me- 😳😳😳. Took pics. Fast forward to Friday, it’s still there, limbs clipped, a branch broken, hidden by Tan Oaks and Huckleberries and broom. (1-5) The broken branch, showing clasping leaves and characteristic lil scrunched up “nascent inflorescence” panicles, and so forth. (I’m a chemist, not a botanist.) (6,7) Interior branches showing “boat-shaped” leaves, which to me always look dusty. (this boat - row boat? Tug boat? Not sure.) It’s across the street from Purisima but I’m tagging Midpen bc who else? (8) Trunk with curly bark. We didn’t see a burl. (9,10) Branch ends with new growth. Often (usually? Always?) new growth and on baby Kingies the leaves aren’t clasping but the petioles are still short. The clasping vs not is like some human babies I know. Ha ha. #arctostaphylosregismontana #arctostaphylosregismontana2022 #kingsmountainmanzanita #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservefall2022 @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa @goldengatenps
Besides watching Song Sparrows break-dance on my car (pretty cool, especially since I sort of figured out what a Song Sparrow looks like), what else did we do? (1) I figured, OK, I’ll check in on another (as in One) Kings Mountain Manzanita I know of living on the northern edge of their range. It’s on the side of Skyline Blvd and got roadside-clearing hacked and needs a pink ribbon. Lots of weeds too. #arctostaphylosregismontana #arctostaphylosregismontana2022 #kingsmountainmanzanita Then I thot, what the heck, let’s hike down the main parking lot trail at Purisima for a bit. (2) At the top, another gigantic Tan Oak! (3,4) Down we go into the cold deep dark quiet forest. Been here so many times over the past 40 years but every time is new. On the newly-named Chris MacIntosh Trail, a long-time Midpen docent and trainer. She’s my @scvasaudubon Bird Count Coordinator but we have yet to meet! Plus she lives within 2 bird-miles. Funny. Great trail and good naming. (5) Finally Fungus! It’s damp here. False Turkey Tails, hairy version, aka Hairy Curtain Crust in iNat (k), #stereumhirsutum They actually are hairy. (6) Huh- my internal invasive non-native plant alert alarm went off. Lots of these spreading down the gully, Wild Cherry, Prunus avium. (7) Pretty when they’re rain-washed. Dyer’s Polypore, on one of the huge Douglas Firs. (8) Wow- you can see out to Pillar Point Bluffs from here! (9) So many areas full of Red-flowering Currants. Must return. (10) You can see for miles and miles. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos @midpenopenspace @midpenrangerspoa
#云海 #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodspreserve
Now a brief revisit of our P. duds fern frens at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP! (1) Back in Spring 2016 I found a few Dudley’s Sword Ferns along the Purisima Creek Trail, near the hairpin turn right before the Craig Britton Trail junction. (BTW there’s a couple small ones on Craig Britton too). This magnificent beast and a few others were between the trail and the creek. (2) A couple months later I went back (I like this preserve) and lo and behold there were ones I’d missed! Lots of ‘em on the other side of the trail- a whole wall, mixed with Five-fingie Ferns and Western Sword Ferns. (3) At that same wall- This pic from a Docent absolutely cracked me up- from the recent Mid Pen All Preserves Great and Small hike. I was so thrilled that we got as far up the trail as the Duds Zone so I could expound on every single factoid my brain holds to the captive audience. Playing air guitar with the Dudley’s Band. What was cool is Dudley’s and Western Swords were mixed together so the group could see the differences and similarities of those fern cousins. #polystichumdudleyi #dudleysswordfern #polystichummunitum @midpenopenspace #midpenos #purisimacreekredwoodsosp #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservesummer2022
I was lucky enough to have today off, so I went for a hike before the heat wave set in. It was a literal breath of fresh air walking in the redwoods this morning with foggy, shady vistas. 324.5 miles down, 85.2 to go! Bay Area Ridge Trail • Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve• 12.2 miles • 2,881 feet elevation gain Hike 37/52 of the 52 Hike Challenge #bayarearidgetrail #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #woodside #redwoods #halfmoonbay #redwoodcity #redwoodcityca #52hikechallenge #forceofnature #optoutside #awomansplaceisinthewild #wildwoman #wanderwoman #hike #hikersofinstagram #hikemoreworryless #hikemore #hiker #hikecalifornia #leavenotrace #leavenothingbutfootprints #idhikethat #takeahike #bayareahikers #girlswhohike #womenwhohike #hiking
Yesterday’s All Preserves Great and Small hike was at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP, located between Skyline Blvd and Half Moon Bay. I think it’s one of my favorites bc of the variety, and the shady lower section. And ferns, and flowers. After hiking big loops from the top down for many years 😰 I finally figured out there’s a lower TH. Ha ha! Yesterday getting was “interesting” bc road work. 😱 (1) At that TH, #rangerchick Frances gives the intro spiel about Mid Pen, and shows the map. (2) We counted 153 Bright Yellow Banana Slugs. Frances explains a little about B. Slug biology. (3) #rangerchick showing how you can ID a Lady Fern. They have hips. 😎 As in, “ lower 2-4 pinna pairs generally << than those above” (Jepson eFlora). #athyriumfilixfemina #athyriumfilixfeminavarcyclosorum (4) Rangers can’t stop pointing at things, esp cool stuff like Western Burning Bush or Western Wahoo. Come back in Spring for flowers! We saw seeds. #euonymusoccidentalis #euonymusoccidentalisvaroccidentalis #rangerspointingatthings #rangerscantstoppointingatthings (5) So. Many. Ladyferns! (6,7) The view, or surrounding Redwood cocoon if you will, is special like this all year. (8) Sugar Scoops, or One-leaf Foamflowers, carpeted the entire forest. I kept calling them Fringe Cups, thinking that wasn’t right and then I found a real Fringe Cup. I knew it was Tiarella tho’. 🤣 I love Saxifraggles, and their common names. #tiarellatrifoliata #tiarellatrifoliatavarunifoliata (9) Seeing a few Wood Roses, gone to rose hips, along the trail. #rosagymnocarpa (10) Us all just happily taking it all in. Check the @midpenopenspace website for these APGaS hikes and others! You’ll find them under Celebrate With Us and From 50 to Forever. #midpeninsularegionalopenspacedistrict #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreservesummer2022 #allpreservesgreatandsmall
#Wildflowers of the #redwood forest. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods #purisima #sanmateocounty #californiawildflowers #westerncolumbine #aquilegiaformosa #douglasiris #irisdouglasiana #stickymonkeyflower #mimulusaurantiacus #pacificstarflower #lysimachialatifolia #thimbleberry #rubusparviflorus #forgetmenot #myosotislatifolia #pioneerviolet #violaglabella #redwoodsorrel #oxalisoregana
Wish you were here. #santacruzmountains #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve
🎈Tuesday 2-22-22 🥾8 miles at Purisima Creek Redwoods🌲🏖️💖🌊🌈 #hiketrails #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #halfmoonbay #redwoodtress #wellnesshike #RidgeTrail @bayarearidgetrail #oceanlovers #sunsetphotography #happytuesday
When @gravelbikecalifornia asked for Peninsula gravel ride suggestions for his #bayarea visit, this favorite of mine was at the top of the list. Even without the #wildflowers blooming, it’s a beautiful ride. With the wildflowers, it was a whole other level of stunning that required many photo stops. Another great thing about this ride is it’s good for all skill levels and just makes everyone smile. 💯 . . . . #SpokesTeam #thesisbike #gravelbike #gravel #dirt #smile #halfmoonbay #coastaltrail #cowellpurisimacoastaltrail #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #redwoods #ocean #photopace
this shelf fungus had a plant growing through it #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodspreserve #mushrooms #wildplants #nature
continued selection of mushrooms and fungus from the Purisima Creek Redwood Preserve #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodspreserve #nature #mushrooms,
a selection of mushrooms and fungus from the Purisima Creek Redwood Preserve #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodspreserve #mushrooms #nature
How can such beautiful mushrooms be saddled with a discouraging name like “stinking orange oysters”? First, they’re not oyster mushrooms at all! But apparently they do stink — like rotten eggs. These ones had no detectable odor; maybe the smell increases as the mushrooms age? Or only occurs when they’re disturbed? 🤔 We’re not sure whether to be sad we missed out on the full experience, or grateful that we could enjoy this lovely growth without holding our noses. . . . . . . . . #phyllotopsisnidulans #stinkingorangeoyster #mockoyster #orangeoyster #phyllotopsis #mushroom #mushrooms #californiamushrooms #mushroomsofinstagram #mushroomphotography #mushroomseason #mycology #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreek #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #baynature #naturephotography #naturejournal
Have you ever wondered why some fungi are covered in droplets when it’s not raining? If so, you’re not alone; the cause is poorly understood. But the process, called “guttation”, is associated with rapid growth, so there’s a prevailing hypothesis out there. Carbon dioxide and water are metabolic products for many fungi, just as they are for us. Some fungi exude them invisibly from their surfaces. When metabolism speeds up during periods of rapid growth, excess water is produced and visible drops can form. Guttation is uncommon among fungi that form mushrooms, but common among bracket fungi. This one must be having a major growth spurt! . . . . . . . . . #polypore #polypores #polyporesofinstagram #bracketfungus #bracketfungi #fungus #fungi #fungusamongus #fungusfreaks #funkyfungi #fungusofinstagram #guttation #mycology #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #bayarearidgetrail #baynature #naturephotography #naturejournal
“Today I have grown taller walking with the trees.” — Karle Wilson Baker . . . . . . #redwoods #redwoodforest #savetheredwoods #forest #temperaterainforest #trees #hike #hiking #foresthike #getoutside #getoutdoors #naturetherapy #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #craigbrittontrail #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #bayarearidgetrail #momentofmidzen #santacruzmountains
Sometimes photos reveal wonders we missed in the moment, like the tiny white mites swarming all over this leafy brain fungus. We don’t know what’s going on here, but we have a theory. Instead of using energy to produce complex mushrooms to disperse their spores, jelly fungi produce simpler, gelatinous structures which are covered with spores when conditions are moist enough. When insects and other arthropods crawl over the fungus, they pick up spores and carry them to other places. If they feed on the fungus, they also disperse the spores in their fecal pellets. Given the high concentration of mites, we’re guessing they’re feeding on the leafy brain and dispersing its spores. What do you think? . . . . . . . #leafybrain #leafybrainfungus #phaeotremellafrondosa #tremellafoliacea #tremella #jellyleaf #brownwitchesbutter #jellyfungus #fungus #fungi #fungilove #fungusfreaks #fungusamongus #fungusphotography #fungusofinstagram #mycology #sporedispersal #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #bayarearidgetrail #baynature #naturephotography #naturejournal
The Purisima Creek Loop was teeming with banana slugs the other day. There’s so much to learn about these fascinating creatures, we don’t even know where to begin! But we were struck by the fact that some of the slugs seemed brighter yellow than others. In particular, it seemed as if the slugs deeper in the redwood groves looked, well, riper. It turns out that these variations in color are based on diet, moisture levels and exposure to light. Individual slugs even change their coloration in response to alterations in these factors. We still don’t know what it is about the deep redwood groves that makes bright yellow happen. Is it the lower light? The higher moisture level? The food options? 🤔 Unfortunately, s/he’s not telling. (Did we mention that all banana slugs are hermaphrodites?) . . . . . . . . #californiabananaslug #bananaslug #bananaslugs #ariolimaxcalifornicus #ariolimax #slug #slugs #slugsofinstagram #mollusc #molluscs #molluscsofinstagram #redwoodforest #forestfloor #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #bayarearidgetrail #bayareawildlife #baynature #naturephotography #naturejournal
A teaser for wildflower season … We weren’t expecting to see this columbine at Purisima Creek in January! . . . . . . . #westerncolumbine #aquilegiaformosa #crimsoncolumbine #canativeplants #californianativeplants #californiawildflowers #wildflowersofcalifornia #wildflowers #wildflower #wildflowersofinstagram #wildflowerseason #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpenos #naturephotography #naturejournal
Fall. #purisimacreek #purisimacreektrail #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #redwoodforest #coastrange #santacruzmountains #coastalcalifornia #californiacoast #mapleleaves #sanmateocountyparks #leica #leicacamera #leicacldigital #leicaelmarittl18mmf28 #leicaelmarit18mm #elmarittl18 #elmarittl18mmf28
303/365 Beautiful golden light at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. Canon camera pic. . . . . . . . . . #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreektrail #purisimacreek #redwoods #wildbayarea #sanmateocounty #scenic #scenery #ocean #nature #naturephotography #naturephoto #naturelovers #forestlovers #landscape_photography #photo365 #photoaday #365 #photo365challenge #365photochallenge #365photoproject #365photoproject2021 #photo365challenge #potd #photooftheday #instagood
Enchanted Forest 2021 I tried to bring all the magic of this ancient forest into these photos. It has been a long drought, but finally the rain made it into the Bay Area last week. Ferns and forest floor vegetation bursted into green in the matter of days. #visitcalifornia #pnw #PurisimaCreekRedwoodsOpenSpacePreserve #purisma #santacruzmountains #natgeoyourshot #helios40_2 #yourshotphotographer #natgeo #natureperfection #earthpix #ourplanetdaily #ecosia #roamtheplanet #visualsofearth #beautifuldestinations #autumn2021 #ferns #forest #theoutbound #tentree #onetreeplanted #wildernessculture #alltrails #trailsofearth #dasgeheimelebenderbaeme dasgeheimelebenderbäume #forestlove @zenit_kmz @zenit_lens
Looking through old photo albums. For some reason I had in my mind that this hike with Pops and the kids at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP in the mid-late 80s was a short flat thing on the Redwood Trail. But no! I am looking at the pics and we dragged these little guys Rob (age just 5) and Glenn (barely 1) on the upper Harkins Ridge Trail! (1) Lil @instaglenn1 with his little box of raisins, surely checking out plants. (2) @bobbykamalino with his daypack following Pops and Glenn down the trail. That rear-facing kiddie pack we found at an outdoor store in Cupertino when Rob was a couple months old (because isn’t that what you do with your infant? Well, of course!) and it was great! They can look around better, legs in a better configuration, and best- the kid can’t pull your hair! (3) Rob and Glenn discuss plants and possible climbing routes along the way. (4) View of Northridge Trail back then, and Pillar Point Bluff in the distance. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace
@fatcake gets dirty on the Peninsula. A beautiful, beautiful, day! 😍 . . . . . #SpokesTeam #thesisbike #gravelbike #gravel #dirt #fifieldcahillridgetrail #halfmoonbay #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #fatcakeclub #fcc
Did you know it’s Manzanita Motivation Monday? Yes! Sometimes I need something like this to get inspired. (1) Redwoods (and other trees and plants), trails, and parks are inspirational, once you get out there. It’s not just me, for sure. I could say books-worth more. I went to Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP today to check out the splatted Kings Mountain Manzanita (you know I’m a fan) I’d seen a couple days ago. Not sure if this side loop trail is part of the Redwood Trail but I can tell @midpenopenspace keeps working on accessibility. This spot here though- it’s in the middle of a fairy ring. Just saying. (2) Another fairy ring, off trail, but it is HUGE!!!! There are also a lot of existing non-LNT survival structures. This saddens me. (3) Huckleberries!!! Not seen in this amount often. I did QA on a dozen. (4) Manzanita Time. I labeled the splatted one for @midpenopenspace and did some communication. (5-8) Then I figured Due Diligence (being a scientist has its perks) and with my maps, pretend I’m a plant seed and wander around. 😳 My reaction. Whoppers. I’ve been here before but did I see? No. (9) Also a lot of Blueblossom Ceanothus. (10) Darth and Tori are thrilled that the infant and juvenile Kingies on the Campground Road at Huddart have little ribbons! They were most in danger but are the future. #ceanothusthyrsiflorus #ceanothusthyrsiflorusvarthyrsiflorus #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace #arctostaphylosregismontana #kingsmountainmanzanita #darthvaderdoingthings #darthandtori #darthandtorifall2021
After wandering around lower Huddart (and the rant about Peninsula “outdoor school” kids learning about how to mess up the parks), let’s go on up the road to the top of where I was yesterday. (1) Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP Redwood Trail TH. Last year wasn’t there a picnic table here? By the small parking lot. That’s ok, but for ADA access the limb might need to be moved. There isn’t really a view but it’s still nice. (2) The first picnic table (with wheelchair space) to come to looks like it has a nice new rock wall. Love the engineering. (3) This shouldn’t take too long, not more than a mile, right? The top end of the trail where I was yesterday, but 1.6 miles farther. Yeah I could do that. 😝 Slowly. @bayarearidgetrail (4) Giant Chain Ferns here. (5) If you like steep fire road trails through the Redwood Forest, we’ve got you covered! (6) Somewhere way down in there is where I was yesterday. (7) Hiking back up slowly on I guess an unnamed trail, about 200 ft up from the junction with Purisima Creek Trail, I’m going, that’s a Manzanita. Then- that’s THE Manzanita!! (8,9) Large King’s Mountain Manzanita I hadn’t noticed before (not sure anyone else had either) splatted next to the trail bc of splatted other trees. Using my WFA techniques- seems to be alive though. 👍🏼🙏🏼 #kingsmountainmanzanita #arctostaphylosregismontana (10) Old stuff. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace @calfloradatabase
Last pics from yesterday’s Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP adventure! (1) I got to the little Dudley’s Sword Ferns on the Craig Britton Trail, and figured that was far enough- almost 6 miles out and back from the car on Higgins-Purisima Road. Felt good tho’. Anything feels easy after Mt. Diablo! 😆 (2) Met the gal who I had passed enjoying a break on the CB Bench earlier. She had these cool sun mitts. I need these. They matched her shirt and her hat. She must have been a few years older than me, heading up to the top after doing “The Loop”, a regular for her. That’s 10 miles, starting at 2000 ft, going down to 600, and back up. I’ve done it several times; not lately. She looked fit. I was a bit surprised all she had was a fanny pack and a pint-sized Nalgene. It was warm in the sun. (3) Nifty Craig Britton Bench. The we walk down to the iconic bridge over a Creek tributary. The older couple I’d seen there eating lunch earlier was on the move again- “fortified”. First time here, they were doing The Loop from the bottom. A bit over 7 miles if you come down Harkins Ridge. I said there’s a bit of exposed climb coming up, and the ridge is steep and exposed coming down. (At the bottom it’s real nice tho’.) He ignored me, she looked concerned. Hope they’re ok. (4) Past the CB junction, middle-aged pair coming up the hill. They are carrying nothing. Him- does this trail go anywhere? Me- 😳. First time here, started at bottom, no idea what they’re doing. You got water? No, we’re ok, we have some in the car. O.M.G. 🤦🏻♀️ I explain the trails in great detail (once I get started…). I keep on down, then a few minutes later I see they turned around. Whew. I ended up being way ahead of them, so I kept looking back. About this time (2-ish) other peeps (younger, fitter, prepared folks) were heading up. A good thing. (5) The Half Moon Bay Nursery Watch Cat. 😹 #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace
(1) We’re heading up to about 1000 ft from starting at 600 ft at the TH along the Purisima Creek Trail at Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP. We’re near where the trail goes over the Creek. Seeing lots of Aralia californica, CA Spikenard, and I know we’re close… #araliacalifornica (2-6) Yep, Duds Corner. P. duds, Polystichum dudleyi, Dudley’s Sword Fern, local endemic, friend of Themonkeyflower, my favorite fern. There is a colony near the corner saying Hi. #dudleysswordfern #polystichumdudleyi (7) Now we’re at the junction of the Purisima Creek and Craig Britton Trails. Checking my time and maps to see how long I can make this last. We’re leveling off so let’s continue! (8) There’s the iconic bridge over a seasonal creek below the Kings Mtn Fire Station. It’s pretty here. There’s an older couple having lunch nearby, and an older gal sitting at the Craig Britton Bench. (9,10) I keep going for a bit since I know this stretch is not hard, but determine time- and place-wise where to turn back. How about here? 😆😊😁 It’s been a few-several years since I spotted these random Duds Dudes, but we just made contact. We contemplate our good fortune and turn around. (We’re not done though. 😁) #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace
We’ll get through Purisima, I promise. 😆 It’s been a favorite for many years though, and that I can still hike around there is just more encouragement. Don’t think I’ve been since Covid started though. 😒 (1) We’re still on the lower Purisima Creek Trail, and see a Woodmint actually blooming. In the cool foggy redwoods along the coast you’ll get a different scene. #stachysbullata (2) Scene by the first (biggest) bridge. It’s a little over a mile up the trail, but only a few Up sections so far. It’s kind of magical. (3) On the other hand, would you come here on Halloween Night? 😟🥺😱 Not allowed beyond 30 minutes past sunset but not sure I’d be here anyway. But I’d camp here. 🤷🏻♀️ (4,5) We’re at a flattish spot now where there are these blooming Coast Tarweeds. Cute, for a Tarweed. #madiasativa (6-8) Right next to them I see this recurring phenomenon. A bazillion Ladybugs doing whatever Ladybugs do! If you can drag your kids up this far (or yourself) check it out! 🐞🐞🐞🐞 (9,10) Beautiful views by the creek. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace
Here we go! Got to Half Moon Bay today (no car fires stopping traffic this time- but TBT I did look at my phone map last time and wasn’t part of the mess). (1,2) First stop Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP. Wow it’s really quiet even though there are a lot of cars. It’s part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. 🤔 Does that mean I get @bayarearidgetrail Brownie Points? (3) Let’s see how far we get. The temp in HMB is 79-80 deg. 🥵 Here it’s a lot cooler, and really dark. There’s a cool breeze too and occasionally a warm down draft that is surprising. Lots of Big Leaf Maples and Redwoods. (4,5) The flowers and fruits on guys crack me up. Western Burning Bush, Euonymus occidentalis. #euonymusoccidentalis #euonymusoccidentalisvaroccidentalis (6) So many Five-Fingie Ferns Everywhere. #adiantumaleuticum And other ferns of course. And little flowing creeks. (7) Probably not going to find Tarantulas down here, but plenty of bright yellow Banana Slugs! (8) Looking down on Purisima Creek. Lots of space to explore with the kiddos. The first part of the trail is pretty easy by the way. (9) Giant Lady Ferns are popular here. #athyriumfilixfemina #athyriumfilixfeminavarcyclosorum (10) More Burning Bush flowers and fruits. Soon the leaves will turn pretty colors. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve @midpenopenspace
| nature #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve
When we get too hot in the sun, we move into the shade. Plants don’t have that luxury. So we were interested to see how redwood sorrel folds its leaves down when exposed to direct sunlight. The mechanism by which plants open and close their leaves is well understood, but the benefits are not. We’re guessing this sorrel is reducing the exposed surface area of its leaves to prevent moisture loss or to protect against sun damage. Interestingly, redwood sorrel also closes its leaves at night. Is this for temperature regulation? Or to discourage herbivores? 🤔 Sorrel has many secrets it seems. #redwoodsorrel #oxalisoregana #canativeplants #canative #californiawildflowers #wildflowersofcalifornia #wildflowers #wildflowersofinstagram #plantbehavior #redwoodforests #savetheredwoods #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #baynature #naturejournal
Moths come out at night, right? Not always. When we tracked down the striking black and white “butterfly” we’d been seeing on the Purisma Creek Loop, it turned out to be the Wild Forget-me-not moth, native to the forests and mountain meadows of northern and mid-California. This day-flying moth feeds on nectar alongside butterflies; its larvae prefer to dine on houndstongue. Have you ever seen this beauty in the East Bay? We’ll be on the lookout in places where houndstongue grows. 👀 #gnophaelalatipennis #gnophaela #forgetmenotmoth #moths #mothsofinstagram #mothsmatter #mothstagram #mothsarebeautiful #harkinsridgetrail #bayarearidgetrail #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #baynature #naturejournal
THIS is a wallflower? Our native western wallflower, a member of the mustard family, is named for its European “cousins”, which often grew between rocks on monastery and castle walls. Um … OK. We still think it deserves a less frumpy name. #westernwallflower #sanddunewallflower #erysimumcapitatum #canativeplants #canative #wildflowersofcalifornia #californiawildflowers #wildflowers #wildflower #wildflowersofinstagram #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpen #baynature #naturediary
Meet the Happy Bespectacled Stink Bug. Because stink bugs are “true bugs” that use their sucking mouthparts to siphon liquids out of plants, some of them are serious agricultural pests. That really stinks, but stink bugs actually owe their name to a smelly spray they can release to defend themselves against birds and other insects. This stinkbug is not a problem for farmers because it prefers plants in the Stachys genus, like the hedge nettle it’s sucking on in this photo. In fact, you can call it the hedge nettle stink bug. But why would you? #cosmopepla #stinkbugs #stinkbug #stinkbugsofinstagram #truebugs #truebugsofinstagram #hemiptera #hemipteransofinstagram #insectsofcalifornia #californiainsects #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpen #bayridgetrail #baynature
A case of mistaken identity … We thought the dainty white blooms we saw lining the Purisima Creek trail were the alumroot (Heuchera) we see on shady trails in the East Bay. But this is threeleaf foamflower (Tiarella), found at low to moderate elevations in moist forests of western North America as far south as Santa Cruz. Heuchera and Tiarella are both saxifrages and enjoy similar growing conditions. But Tiarella prefers a moister habitat and tolerates more shade. What a difference an ocean makes! #tiarella #tiarellatrifoliata #canativeplants #canative # #californianativeplantsociety #wildflowersofcalifornia #californiawildflowers #wildflowers #wildflower #wildflowersofinstagram #redwoodforests #purisimacreektrail #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpen #bayarearidgetrail #baynature
We love our coast redwoods and feel so privileged to walk among them. So last weekend we checked out AllTrails’ Whittemore Gulch & Purisima Creek loop. Our hike took us down through towering redwoods and firs to the aptly named Purisima Creek. En route, we enjoyed majestic ocean views and glimpses of plants and insects we haven’t seen in our usual East Bay stomping grounds. Plus we knocked out a few more miles of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. We’re not sure why it took us so long to get here. 🤔 But we’ll definitely be back! #coastredwood #coastredwoods #sequoiasempervirens #savetheredwoods #redwoodsofinstagram #forestsofinstagram #whittemoregulchtrail #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpen #bayridgetrail #bayareahiking #baynature #alltrails
This coyote mint beside the Harkins Ridge Trail was covered with checkerspot butterflies when we passed by. Magical! #coyotemint #monardellavillosa #variablecheckerspot #euphydryaschalcedona #canativeplants #canative #wildflowers #wildflowersofcalifornia #wildflowersofinstagram #butterfliesofcalifornia #butterflies #butterfliesofinstagram #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #harkinsridgetrail #midpeninsulaopenspace #midpen #bayarearidgetrail #baynature
This is a springboard notch in a redwood stump. When loggers heavily harvested redwoods from the mid-1800s to the early 1900’s, redwoods were felled by axes and two-man saw teams. Notches were cut into the redwoods so the sawmen could stand on springboards that allowed the cuts to be made above the rootswell. Notches can be seen in many stumps of the felled giant redwoods in Purisima Creek. Discover history on a hike.
View of North Ridge Trail and Half Moon Bay in the distance from Harkins Ridge Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods . . #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods #hike #explore #getoutside #nikon #nikond850 #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer
Winter’s flow in Purisima Creek Redwoods preserve . . #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods #hike #getoutside #explore #nikon #nikond850 #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #mrosd
Winter’s rains bring out mushrooms like these Clustered Brittlestems (Psathyrella piluliformis) . . #mushrooms #psathyrellapiluliformis #hike #getoutside #explore #nikon #nikond850 #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods
Emerging wildflowers nod to Spring. This is a Pacific Hound’s Tongue. . . #pacifichoundstongue #wildflower #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreek #hike #explore #getoutside #nikon #nikond850 #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer
Western White Trillium deep in the shaded forest . . #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods #trillium #nikon #nikond850 #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer
Redwoods forever on Craig Britton Trail . . #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods #redwoods #craigbrittontrail #getoutside #explore #hike #nikon #nikond850 #naturephotography #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer
Beautiful hike from Grabtown Gulch in Purisima Creek Redwoods. Snuck this one in before Winter’s rains begin.
We live in a beautiful world. I am filled with gratitude. #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #redwoodforest #weliveinabeautifulworld
Regular dose of #redwoods #sequoia #purismacreek #purismacreekredwoods #hike #hiking #trail #openspace #openspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #nature #outdoors #active
“A Forest of these Trees is a Spectacle too much for one man to see.” - 🍁🍂David Douglas * * * 10mi loop of Autumn Vibes at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Préserve. Did you know that Douglas-firs (Pseudotsuga Menzeisii) that can also be found here in Purisima Creek near Half Moon Bay, was named after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist that introduced about 240 species of plants to Britain from his voyages to the Pacific Nortwest and Hawaii? * * * 📍This is Ohlone & Ramaytush People Land. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * #exploremore #forestbathing #fallcolors #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #seasonchange #autumnvibes #halfmoonbay #baldknoll #coastalforest #halfmoonbay #douglasfirs #wherethetalltreesgrow #ramaytush #whittemoregulch #purisimacreek #diversityoutdoors #blackhikersweek #Ohlone #autumncolors #exploremoreworryless #southbayridgeline #bayareahikes #rooflesscathedral #iheartnature #harkinsridgetrail #IndigenousPeople #BlackLivesMatter #NorcalHikers #VisitCalifornia #Wuhikes
Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open? ~ Rumi #rumi #rumiquotes #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve
It’s foggy over at the coast. #purisimacreekredwoods #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve
#purisimacreek #santacruzmountains #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve It is an oasis especially when it is 100 degree out side.
Can we say... INCLINE? Lol No one else I’d rather burn 1000 calories with, then my MAINEST of the MAINS to celebrate another trip around the sun!! My one-take, down-ass, no-nonsense, food-loving, thrill-seeking, adventure-finding, life-loving M.A.C.K. besties!! #MACKventure #thisis36 #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #ONETAKEWONDERS #maskonmaskoff #timersandtripods #bestiebubble #burn1000eat1000 lol
#purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve #purisimacreekredwoods
A beautiful view out on a trail at #purisimacreekredwoodsopenspacepreserve . . . . . . . . . @midpenopenspace #purisimacreek #purisimacreekredwoods #midpeninsulaopenspace #icanseetheoceanfromhere #halfmoonbay #halfmoonbaytrails #bayarea #bayareahiking #bayareaviews #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #landscapephotography #landscapes #landscapesofinstagram #treestoseas #senicview #hikingadventures #hiking #bayareatrails #amaturephotography #canonphotography #canonrebelt6i