A hike in the east bay hills

Despite some wild fires burning north of us and the wind gusts blowing south I decided I was going to go and complete a hike I had been planning to do for months.

The result of the wildfire was that the entire surrounding area in the east bay hills was lit up in a dull orange haze as if the light was filtered from a stained glass.  The air quality left much to be desired but the wind kept the air cooler.

I set out after lunch from the parking and passed some old growth Oaks, among other native species.  As long as I kept in the shade of the larger trees I was actually comfortable and cool.  Some had lived a full life and since given up and gone flat..

I startled some deer in the open meadow when I walked down one of the trails that was not in the shade.

A creek that runs through the hill was bone dry except where the omnipresent shade did not let the surface water dry out.  Cows could be seen slaking their thirst on the dribs of moisture left in the shallow areas.

I did a mile by myself and came back to the parking lot in time to join a naturalist from the local parks department who was about to take some families with little children out to explore nature.

I decided I could play the role of a kindergartner to great acclaim.  A sense of wonder and curiosity.  One thing the walk with the naturalist taught me was how to spot a poison oak.  Contrary to its name might suggest this Oak is not a massive tree but a shrub and can often grow along paths and trails and cause a skin rash if not careful to avoid it.  In the fall it turns color and can be spotted as a three leaf setup that is going red.

Poison Oak surprised the hikers

Bay leaves were fragrant

 Another native species she identified for me was a Bay tree.  The leaves are bay leaves.  Crush them and they smell somewhere between eucalyptus and a native Indian herb used in cooking also called bay leaf.  This is stronger odor but the oils released after crushing are actually quite fragrant.

Thermals help the Vultures

Also spotted an occasional fossil showing some sea shell imprints for millions of years ago when this land was buried under sea water.

CA Buckeye

Passed by California buckeye with its pods hanging like ornaments and then finished the hike spotting some wildlife including a red headed woodpecker, some turkey vultures high above as well as a Say's Phoebe.

It was a good few hours of solitude amidst the forest and its inhabitants before taking the curving road home.