A brief post for some highlight pictures of the trip from May 24 to June 01. Separate, more detailed pages will be added later after as much plant id as possible has been done, and all pictures uploaded. This will take a few weeks, as the coming several days will be spent constructing an online newsletter.

(View from Coon Trail at Montana de Oro - click for larger image)

May 24th overnight was at Morro Bay State Park, and Montana de Oro was visited briefly.

(Western Kingbird - click for larger image)

Arrived at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area on May25th, for three nights. During the spring in Santa Barbara, there were many migrant Western Kingbirds passing through the area. It seems that many of them arrived in the San Luis area. Among the many birds in the camp site, there were a large number of Western Kingbirds - a nest was seen at the Romero Visitor Center.

(Parent Tree Swallow feeding youngster - click for larger image)

The nearby San Luis Nature Reserve was visited - despite little rain this year, there were many areas of water. It is a beautiful area. Once again the most numerous bird species was the Western Kingbird, rivaling even the number of Red-winged Blackbirds. The highlight of the two trips to this Reserve was observing the feeding of young Tree Swallows by parents. This area would be wonderful during the winter season, because of the large number of waterfowl that visit the area, as well as Sandhill Cranes.

(Red-necked Phalarope at Point Reyes - click for larger image)

On the 27th, drove to Samuel P. Taylor Park for three nights, via a stop at the Carnaval SF. From the Samuel P. Taylor visited Point Reyes National Seashore Reserve, where not many birds were seen, except for a flock of twirling Red-necked Phalaropes on a dam one overcast, gray morning.

(Red Ribbon Clarkia at Samuel P. Taylor - click for larger image)

Samuel P. Taylor Park should have been explored more than it was. A short walk yielded a number of interesting native plants.

(Mount Diablo Fairy-Lantern - click for larger image)

After that, two nights were spent at Juniper Camp on Mount Diablo. Another wonderful area that should be visited earlier in the spring for the wide variety of plants and birds. Because of the lack of battery recharging means, photography was limited to just plants. Only have car-charger, useless when not driving; need to get a solar recharger.

As the pages for each place are completed over the next few weeks, they will be added to the blog. In the meantime, local photography should resume when other computer tasks are done.