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Walk with me?

This was yesterday’s hike. We decided to go to a wildlife reserve in the north/eastern part of San Diego County in southern California. 

I loved this hike, since it had plaques up throughout the hike with plant names and information on them. 

You’ll see. 

#1 The start.

I loved this butterfly! That is my son up ahead. See that ridge on top of the photo? That is Mount Woodson. We are going there. 

#2 This is hard to see.. So I typed it up for you below.

Coastal Sage Scrub (The scented forest) Sometimes called, soft chaparral", coastal sage scrub plants are low growing and often aromatic. Only 10% to 15% of Southern California's original coastal sage scrub communities remain. 

Chaparral (The Elfin Forest) Contains plants and animals especially adapted to live in our hot dry environment. Thick, leathery leaves minimize water loss. Animals tend to be small or have thick fur to protect them from the rough, tangled undergrowth.

Riparian (A Canyon Oasis) The creek allows for the dense, lush growth of the riparian habitat. Sycamores and willows require water near the soil's surface. 

Oak Woodland (Our wild woods) Majestic coast live oaks spread their branches between the riparian corridor and the chaparral. Beneath the oaks grow grasses and small shrubs. Many small mammals find food and shelter here, while birds use the branches and cavities for nesting. 

#4 The chaparral area.

I like to think of this area as the in between area. From the low scrubs to plants with thick leathery leaves. Those are the taller ones in this shot, just before the tree line. 

  1. Great shot, and what a fantastic word – chaparral! I never knew the exact meaning but vaguely remember from my childhood a western series on the telly called “The High Chaparral”, that my dad loved. He was a sucker for anything with cowboys 😀

#5 The live oaks

This is where it gets really pretty. 

#6 Wildfires

In 2008 this area was burned by wildfires. Some of the giant live oaks did not make it, but most did. 

#7 Can you see the woodpecker?

The woodpeckers love these dead trees. They will only drill holes in dead wood. Did you know that? 

    • Yes, I learned that from my dad when we ran the resort in Arkansas. There were many woodpeckers there. He used to try to chase them away, until he figured out they only went for dead wood. Sometimes treated dead wood, like on the eaves of our house..

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#8 Closer

Can you see him now? 

#9 The Chapparral Yucca

I could not find one in bloom, but the plant is in the next photo. This plant has it's own moth called the Yucca Moth, it lays its eggs in the flowers ovaries. It only blooms every 2-5 years. The flower stock reaches anywhere from 3 to 10 foot tall with white blooms. 

#10 The yucca

These are easy to spot because of the leaves. The plant is only about 1-2 foot tall. 

That's it for now folks. Join me in the rest of the adventure in tomorrows post titled, Walk with me (part 2). 

Have a great day! 

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Written by Kim_Johnson

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    • It is a great trail system. The trail splits, one goes to one lake the other goes to another lake. We didn’t make it to either on this day though. We started off the hike after lunch, and didn’t have the time to go the full six miles. I was afraid we would be walking in the dark on the way back. It is all uphill, with a 2000 foot gain on the way back, and the site said it takes about six hours for a moderate hiker.

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