Pricey, Rocky views, Unexpected golden ribbons, and a trip down memory lane: Scenes and such from an impromptu return to the homeland.

[Silas_Sancona]

Scenes ..and things.. captured while back in the old neighborhood, tending to important personal matters.  

Despite the circumstances that would lead to an un-planned ( ..are they ever ), 13 hour drive,  following a phone call / texts a day before,  after 15 or so years of absence and greatly expanded perspective / reflection,  was nice to lay eyes on where many things began again,  let alone play catch up w/ family,  and of course, get my hands on a few things .. 

While i didn't make it back to every spot i'd have liked to re- visit  ..this wasn't a " vacation " trip after all..  Was in town just long enough to spend time in the most important places.   

Hopefully,  it won't be another 15 years before i visit again..

Starting off, a few shots along the 10 between Parker ( AZ side of the Colorado River )  and Palm Springs..

A few just- after- Sunrise morning views near the river..

Think it is dry here?  ..A lush oasis compared to areas west of Phoenix. 









Couple of annual Gramma ( Bouteloua ) species encountered at the same rest stop.. First is either Rothrock's or Six - Weeks.  #2?,  Pretty sure is Needle Gramma. 






Doing my part to stop a horrible invasive trying to take over desert /drier areas of the Southwest / Mexico  ..Sahara Mustard..  See this S^^^^,  Yank it!!





Perhaps my ( and everyone else's ) favortie view ..of that portion of the desert..  while passing thru the Palm Springs / Coachella Valley area..  Mt. San Jacinto..




>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Silas_Sancona]

I'd mentioned time spent " in the fog " ( In the Central Valley ) a couple times elsewhere..

After nice, warm, sunny skies heading north thru S.Cal. this is what can greet ya as you make your way north of the Grapevine / Tejon Pass, into the Bakersfield area.. 





Was still early in the day ..11am or noon.. and while you'd think the thick cloud cover would keep things mild -ish? ..Not a chance..  Temps in the 40s when i snapped these shots.

Interesting,  salty  " smell of the Ocean " in the air too.. A bit weird ..since we're just outside Bakersfield. 


Few hours later, at a rest stop not too far from Hwy. 152 ( Which takes travelers west over the hills to the smaller towns connected to San Jose,  from Los Banos on the valley - facing side of it ) ..Even colder.

  Regardless, interesting choice ( to me ) of landscape plants utilized here..  Sun ..where ever it is..  is still up, ..but you'd never know it.  Temp. gauge in the car was reading 39F.  Dark n' murky as  ..Add your own colorful word..



Freezing,  but determined to get a few " meh " shots of the plants observed here.  Meh = because it's tough to maintain any focus while shivering. 

Neltuma ( Mesquite ) sp.  ..Possibly the western sub species of Honey Mesq. ( N. glandulosa v. odorata ** May now be a stand - alone species ** ) Few if any thorns noted, so a thornless variety perhaps?.. Good choice for the area though it will be interesting to see how  these cold / cloudy " tule fog " episodes during any future winters effect growth ..compared to how they grow here. 




Bouteloua gracilis ( Blue Grama ) selection ..Probably " Blonde Ambition " ..While perfectly adapted, the species itself is much more uncommon in CA compared to places like S. AZ and the high Plains.  Good to see this grass used out there,  regardless. 




Deergrass ( Muhlenbergia rigens ) Classic CA. Native bunch grass used in landscapes.  Native and seen, every so often, in landscapes out here. 



Agave  selection.. Thinking " Blue Glow / Flame " perhaps.. 




Yucca sp. ..one of the variegated selections..  



Mixed in w/ them and the Muhlenbergia,  red flowered Achellia millefolia ( Yarrow ) selection,  and one of the " Gold " Lantanas..  Can't escape dreaded lantana,  no matter where i go, lol.  ..A few Hesperaloe,  likely the standard " Red " form scattered about the beds too.

Would have walked the entire property to see what else might be noteworthy but,  Too damn cold, lol..

Choice of mulching aside, a fairly " Arizona -esque " choice of plants several hundred miles from state 48. 

>>>>>>

[Silas_Sancona]

Before moving on to the first stop along memory lane,  a progress check on a couple outstanding trees  ..and a BIG mistake acknowledgement  ...before we move ahead...

Out of the gate, i managed to con-fuddle Parker with Quartzite.. which,  as everyone knows,  you pass thru when headed to anywhere in CA when traveling down the 10..  Why my brain wants to put Parker where Quartzite is, i dono ..but i did so, repeatedly, lol.. 

Feel free to say it with me  ..Dumb A^^!, lol..  Anyway .

Quercus suber,  Cork Oak.  Big when i last saw this one,  Much bigger after ~roughly 15 years.  Others planted in the same shopping center have put on some size too, but not like this one..  A couple of the others look like they'd been beat up by tree trimmers. 

Lots ( and lots ) of space up in that canopy / branches for attaching hardy enough Orchids and various Tillandsia to.  Hrmm..🤔

Tortured lookin' tree to the left of the Oak is one of the last ( in that spot ) Eucalyptus / Corymbia sp specimens. Used to be several more planted but looks like most are gone now.  







Laelia anceps and friends.. Cattleya purpurata, intermedia, ..and tenebrosa..  Tilly - galore..   Pleopeltis ?? ( Resurrection Fern ) Yeahh.. i can picture some danglin' from up there..





Rando Pinus coulteri  i'd spotted on inat a few years ago growing along the walking / biking trail just north of Lake Almaden ( easily accessible from the Park and Ride parking lot nearby ).. 












There are other sizable examples of this incredible Pine species planted around the neighborhood ..and the rest of San Jose,  but, this particular specimen is growing on its own, next to the creek. 

Was hoping some perfectly ripe cones i'd noted perched low on the tree would still be around to harvest but, far from the only admirer of this species,  so... 

Still,  managed to cut up /gum up ( with sap ) my hands again collecting a couple others off the tree.  Not as young and full of seed as i'd like but, did manage to extract roughly a half dozed viable - looking seeds..  We'll see if any germinate.  As mentioned elsewhere, if any do,  they'll go somewhere where i know they'll stand a chance at surviving in our area,  and offer up a chance for local folks to enjoy the seed off this species, which some rate as better tasting compared to " Pine Nuts " off Italian Stone Pine, the usual source for them. 

As big as they are, these cones are roughly half as large as they can get on this species..  There's a reason the species earned the nick- name " Widow Maker "



Being able to admire everything else that makes this California / Southwestern U.S. endemic Pine a sight to behold is a big plus as well.



Onward to the first stop down memory lane..

...After a check in w/ an unexpected visitor back at the hotel..

Not sure which Genus / sp. ( native vs. introduced ) it is  ..I mean,  seems a few new ones have shown up out there since i left,  but, Praying Mantis, hanging out on the trunk of a Mex Fan outside my door,  the entire time we were in town.. ( moved up the trunk maybe 2 ft the 4 days we were there ) 

Is it  merely a coincidence?







For perspective, Last time i saw one ( half this size, btw )  out there was when i was a kid  ...well,  a little kid, lol. 


>>>>>

 

[Mazat]

11 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Before moving on to the first stop along memory lane,  a progress check on a couple outstanding trees  ..and a BIG mistake acknowledgement  ...before we move ahead...

Out of the gate, i managed to con-fuddle Parker with Quartzite.. which,  as everyone knows,  you pass thru when headed to anywhere in CA when traveling down the 10..  Why my brain wants to put Parker where Quartzite is, i dono ..but i did so, repeatedly, lol.. 

Feel free to say it with me  ..Dumb A^^!, lol..  Anyway .

Quercus suber,  Cork Oak.  Big when i last saw this one,  Much bigger after ~roughly 15 years.  Others planted in the same shopping center have put on some size too, but not like this one..  A couple of the others look like they'd been beat up by tree trimmers. 

Lots ( and lots ) of space up in that canopy / branches for attaching hardy enough Orchids and various Tillandsia to.  Hrmm..🤔

Tortured lookin' tree to the left of the Oak is one of the last ( in that spot ) Eucalyptus / Corymbia sp specimens. Used to be several more planted but looks like most are gone now.  







Laelia anceps and friends.. Cattleya purpurata, intermedia, ..and tenebrosa..  Tilly - galore..   Pleopeltis ?? ( Resurrection Fern ) Yeahh.. i can picture some danglin' from up there..





Rando Pinus coulteri  i'd spotted on inat a few years ago growing along the walking / biking trail just north of Lake Almaden ( easily accessible from the Park and Ride parking lot nearby ).. 












There are other sizable examples of this incredible Pine species planted around the neighborhood ..and the rest of San Jose,  but, this particular specimen is growing on its own, next to the creek. 

Was hoping some perfectly ripe cones i'd noted perched low on the tree would still be around to harvest but, far from the only admirer of this species,  so... 

Still,  managed to cut up /gum up ( with sap ) my hands again collecting a couple others off the tree.  Not as young and full of seed as i'd like but, did manage to extract roughly a half dozed viable - looking seeds..  We'll see if any germinate.  As mentioned elsewhere, if any do,  they'll go somewhere where i know they'll stand a chance at surviving in our area,  and offer up a chance for local folks to enjoy the seed off this species, which some rate as better tasting compared to " Pine Nuts " off Italian Stone Pine, the usual source for them. 

As big as they are, these cones are roughly half as large as they can get on this species..  There's a reason the species earned the nick- name " Widow Maker "



Being able to admire everything else that makes this California / Southwestern U.S. endemic Pine a sight to behold is a big plus as well.



Onward to the first stop down memory lane..

...After a check in w/ an unexpected visitor back at the hotel..

Not sure which Genus / sp. ( native vs. introduced ) it is  ..I mean,  seems a few new ones have shown up out there since i left,  but, Praying Mantis, hanging out on the trunk of a Mex Fan outside my door,  the entire time we were in town.. ( moved up the trunk maybe 2 ft the 4 days we were there ) 

Is it  merely a coincidence?







For perspective, Last time i saw one ( half this size, btw )  out there was when i was a kid  ...well,  a little kid, lol. 


>>>>>

 

Great - i only saw one once in southern Italy back then.

[Silas_Sancona]

Before we move on,  a note regarding Pinus coulteri  i forgot to include last night.. 

While endemic to California,  as you'll read in the included link from Conifers.org, the species is pretty tough and has been grown well outside it's " comfort zone " across the globe. 

That includes reasonably close to Central AZ, in southern New Mexico. 

While not listed on iNat observation data, Richard Felger, a well - known / respected, regional Botanist / researcher, documented the below pictured specimen near Silver City ( NM )  and ..as you can read.., noted new specimens growing nearby.

Note how in this instance,  the canopy form of this specimen is much more rounded than the  often " stacked " look of many specimens you'd see in California. 



In the Taxonomy Notes section, you'll also note the thought that the species shares a Chloroplast Haplotype with Pinus arizonica, specifically from the Sierra Madre in N. Mexico.. Thus,  While currently confined to CA ( and far northern Baja Norte )  it is likely it arose somewhere between N. Mexico and CA at some point long in the past ..when the region was much cooler / winters were more like what you see in CA now across this portion of the overall Southwest.  Thus, it can be considered a " Southwestern U.S. Endemic "

Regardless, for those folks in other zone 8 and up areas of the country, with a climate that isn't too hot / humid,  this remarkable species is worth trialing. 

As mentioned, has to have space since ..at some point in the future, it will get massive  ..and drop heavy, spikey bombs ( literally ) on anything under it. 

Conifers.org link ..for those interested.. :  https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_coulteri.php


Quick link to an article about Richard Felger,  who passed a few years ago..  Of all the people who have done exhaustive / extensive research in the Southwest / Mexico, his legacy is one of a kind, and left it's mark on generations of folks who study plants and other nature -related disciplines across the region ..and beyond.. 

https://tucson.com/news/local/article_46899d61-7229-5f75-82fa-73f9f8bd3219.html




......A hill?  ..That is what you wanted to show us Nathan?  ..Really?  ..Cue the rolled eyes / face palms,  ..its cool.  ha ha..





It may seem mundane but, this look " into the past " is where many important lessons in my plant -y / nature -nut -centric journey would be gained.. 

Growing up in this area, i'd have a soft spot for this part of the Santa Clara valley..  Wayy back then, there wasn't much of anything out here.. Not that there is now,  thankfully.. 

In High school, this area would be part of my longer weekly / bi - weekly bike rides.  At some point in HS, it would become much more than a place to ride ...and eat rocks plenty of times, lol.  

As i will touch on later,  destruction of another frequented spot nearby,  diving headlong into photography,  wisdom from my HS biology teacher,  and that " always wanting to learn new things, the right way " drive would all come together and bring me here, quite often, both to expand upon my  still greenish - eared native plant / local ecology knowledge, and play a part in making the area more accessible to others. 

Formally part of a ranch or two ( Stiles / Fortini ),  which i'd lived not to far from in the past,  county of Santa Clara bought the property sometime in the late 80s / early 90s to expand the footprint of Santa Teressa County Park, which straddles this section of this ridge / Santa Teressa Hills.

As part of that,  the county sponsored several " trail day "  volunteer sessions.  One was here.  While it would be a flat out lie if i told you i did much heavy lifting,  helped clear brush / move dirt and rock as the trail was carved out on the hillside. 



Returning to this spot after many years of further reflection and greatly expanded knowledge ..near ( and farther  ) away,  it's nice to see that things look as they should ..both on the trail, and nearby

...and that the county has added a few more trails ..and a boldly honest sign.  

In the time i've been out of state, the county bought up another treasured section of this area ( Rancho San Vincente OS ) on the other side of the valley in view to preserve it's legacy / connect that area to Calero CP,  Rancho Canada Del Oro OS, and Quicksilver CP/ greater Sierra Azul OS further south and west.  Had planned to stop in there, but ran out of time.

Also hearing that another section of the ridge here, ..the recently shuttered IBM research station ( IBM's Almaden RS ), may be added to the park as the county's open space master plan for the area continues to grow.  Eventually,  from what i have heard / read,  the plan is to link Santa Teressa CP to Lake Almaden, located in the much more populated northern end of the Almaden Valley,  As well as making it possible to hike / bike from there, all the way south into Morgan Hill.  Saw signs of that somewhere else,  i'll get to later. 

On a side note, it was that research station that created the first Ink Jet Printer.  Pretty neat..  Anyway..


Shots n' stuff from where a big part in this person's  personal origin story began..    ..And an unexpected surprise,  ..this time of the palmy kind. 


That boldly honest sign..   About time someone points out the obvious to the often oblivious..   Hopefully this is something done state - wide, vs just within Santa Clara County ...and that the oblivious get the point.  






Views as we head up hill.. 

Looking north toward the more populated end of the overall Almaden Valley. Distant mountain peaks in view include Mt Umunhum ( " Resting place of the Hummingbird " in the local, Ohlone language ) on the left,  Mt. Thayer ..i believe.. on the right.  Right shoulder of Loma Prieta is hidden in the haze on the far left.. 

Ft hills that make up the Quicksilver area of San Jose / Almaden = in front of the valley - facing slopes of the Santa Cruz mtns.







The famous " Box " / " Sugar Cube ' atop Umunhum... Gonna be seeing lots of " Umunhum shots " from this trip..  " Box " represents the last hint of the mountain top's formal job as military station.  Is now part of the Sierra Azul OS area up there.. 

I see you, Mex Fan lollypops,  stickin up in the foreground..




Looking south into the greater, Calero - facing side of the Santa Teressa hills. 




Isolated Toyon ( Heteromeles arbutifolia )  specimen wayy up there...




There's a hazed out Loma Prieta...





Salvia mellifera ( Black Sage ) right,  and Atemisia californica ( CA Sagebrush ) left,   = Two very dominant plants on this hillside that represent part of a habitat you'd see much more extensively in SoCal.. ; " Soft " / Sage / Sagebrush - dominated " subtropical " Chaparral..  Subtropical in the sense that it only occurs on warmer / hot, less frost / freeze prone slopes, esp. this far north. 

As you edge closer to Los Angeles, and / or  San Diego, Soft Chaparral starts adding stuff like Yucca, Agave, Ocotillo ( in the past ) Nolina and Dasylirion species,  and various Cacti to the mix of species you'll encounter in this unique habitat. 

Drier / milder winters,  hotter summers future up this way?  perhaps you'll start seeing those kinds of plants taking root here. 




Another unique plant on these slopes, Arctostaphylos ( Manzanita ) ..  Represents an isolated,  near- northern limit population of Big Berry Manzanita ( A. glauca )  This stand is where i'd collected seed of that species from  .. First Seed  ...of -anything-  challenging   i had ever successfully germinated.  











Nice to see these old faces again.  Missed being able to collect some seed though.. 



Lots of steep switchback curves / big ol' rocks stickin' up in other trail sections here = fun on two wheels  ..and a few bumps along the way. 

" Soil " color is due to the geology type here..










Rising above the hill..  Note the houses below..




Rock wall ..that has been there ...forever..  Pretty sure it separated the two? ( ...or 3?? ) ranches that formally claimed the area..

Nice to see folks haven't ruined it..   enjoyed many lunches on the trail  here..













Aside from the unique Chaparral - type here,  this end of the greater Santa Teressa / Greystone Ridge exposes the viewer to another unique / well known,  CA - centric habitat / geology type..  Serpentine soil / rock dominated grassland..




Exposed Serpentine bald on the left / Mixed matrix  ..but Serpentine dominated...  soil, on the right.. 


As a rock / mineral type, Serpentine / Serpentinite is quite toxic to many plants since it often contains very high levels of Nickel, Cadmium, Cobalt, ..and Asbestos...  If you're able to grow on it,  you likely spent a lot of time evolving to grow on it.. 

Where ever large outcrops of it are exposed, you're very likely to encounter some of the rarer CA. endemic plants that evolved to grow on such toxic soils.. This area / Overall park really  is no exception. 

While it looks rather plain most of the year,  in spring,  ..if it rains enough..  areas here ...and further inside the park which are less over run by all the non native, mainly winter annual " forage " grasses from Europe,  can explode in carpets of color. 

While some of that color grows in plenty of non- Serpentine dominated areas across the valley / state,  if you roam the slopes / examine some of the rockier spots closely,  you'll find some pretty interesting stuff that isn't so common, and helps teach ecology and the direct influence local geology plays in " what grows where ".. 

Nothing flowering this time of year, but did come across a couple Dudleya..





  Not fully sure of the species, but could be specimens of the highly - local / fairly rare Santa Clara Valley Dudleya  ..Dudleya abramsii ssp. setchellii.     A treat to observe if so. 



A few parting views...  Orange, Rock hugging Lichen on the rocks out here has always been fun to photograph.. 










..The surprise for the day?  

Remember the " notice the houses " mention a few steps back?   Well... 

Here's something i was quite surprised to spot growing in a yard way out here from along the trail.  Surprised because,  as i'm sure the viewer noted in various valley - included views,   not a ton of homes out here / plenty of open space,  thus,  .. whatever you'd call this little finger valley, is a colder spot in the overall Almaden Valley / Southwestern end of San Jose yet,  ..Here are some King Palms ( your standard  A. cunninghamiana  ofcourse ) that seem to be doing alright here.. 

Tough to say " how old " they might be / ..how long they've been planted but, ..don't look like they were recent additions to me..



A sign of changing times?   ..perhaps??

Will have to keep a street view eye on them,  ...until i return again, in person.. 

Interesting nod to the two dominant,  ..yet different... ends of my plant related journey as well..   

How's that for a trip down memory lane?..  





...On to the next stop...

>>>>>>
 

....Btw,  wanna house out here? ( ...who wouldn't )  ..It is gonna cost you a few bucks.. 

Noticed a listing ( 4bed / 2 bath ..2400sqft / on 1.87+ acres off Fortini Rd. ) for the cool price of  2.8M bucks..   

So,  ....how many 5 gal plants sold is that? 🙃

 

[Mazat]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Before we move on,  a note regarding Pinus coulteri  i forgot to include last night.. 

While endemic to California,  as you'll read in the included link from Conifers.org, the species is pretty tough and has been grown well outside it's " comfort zone " across the globe. 

That includes reasonably close to Central AZ, in southern New Mexico. 

While not listed on iNat observation data, Richard Felger, a well - known / respected, regional Botanist / researcher, documented the below pictured specimen near Silver City ( NM )  and ..as you can read.., noted new specimens growing nearby.

Note how in this instance,  the canopy form of this specimen is much more rounded than the  often " stacked " look of many specimens you'd see in California. 



In the Taxonomy Notes section, you'll also note the thought that the species shares a Chloroplast Haplotype with Pinus arizonica, specifically from the Sierra Madre in N. Mexico.. Thus,  While currently confined to CA ( and far northern Baja Norte )  it is likely it arose somewhere between N. Mexico and CA at some point long in the past ..when the region was much cooler / winters were more like what you see in CA now across this portion of the overall Southwest.  Thus, it can be considered a " Southwestern U.S. Endemic "

Regardless, for those folks in other zone 8 and up areas of the country, with a climate that isn't too hot / humid,  this remarkable species is worth trialing. 

As mentioned, has to have space since ..at some point in the future, it will get massive  ..and drop heavy, spikey bombs ( literally ) on anything under it. 

Conifers.org link ..for those interested.. :  https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_coulteri.php


Quick link to an article about Richard Felger,  who passed a few years ago..  Of all the people who have done exhaustive / extensive research in the Southwest / Mexico, his legacy is one of a kind, and left it's mark on generations of folks who study plants and other nature -related disciplines across the region ..and beyond.. 

https://tucson.com/news/local/article_46899d61-7229-5f75-82fa-73f9f8bd3219.html




......A hill?  ..That is what you wanted to show us Nathan?  ..Really?  ..Cue the rolled eyes / face palms,  ..its cool.  ha ha..





It may seem mundane but, this look " into the past " is where many important lessons in my plant -y / nature -nut -centric journey would be gained.. 

Growing up in this area, i'd have a soft spot for this part of the Santa Clara valley..  Wayy back then, there wasn't much of anything out here.. Not that there is now,  thankfully.. 

In High school, this area would be part of my longer weekly / bi - weekly bike rides.  At some point in HS, it would become much more than a place to ride ...and eat rocks plenty of times, lol.  

As i will touch on later,  destruction of another frequented spot nearby,  diving headlong into photography,  wisdom from my HS biology teacher,  and that " always wanting to learn new things, the right way " drive would all come together and bring me here, quite often, both to expand upon my  still greenish - eared native plant / local ecology knowledge, and play a part in making the area more accessible to others. 

Formally part of a ranch or two ( Stiles / Fortini ),  which i'd lived not to far from in the past,  county of Santa Clara bought the property sometime in the late 80s / early 90s to expand the footprint of Santa Teressa County Park, which straddles this section of this ridge / Santa Teressa Hills.

As part of that,  the county sponsored several " trail day "  volunteer sessions.  One was here.  While it would be a flat out lie if i told you i did much heavy lifting,  helped clear brush / move dirt and rock as the trail was carved out on the hillside. 



Returning to this spot after many years of further reflection and greatly expanded knowledge ..near ( and farther  ) away,  it's nice to see that things look as they should ..both on the trail, and nearby

...and that the county has added a few more trails ..and a boldly honest sign.  

In the time i've been out of state, the county bought up another treasured section of this area ( Rancho San Vincente OS ) on the other side of the valley in view to preserve it's legacy / connect that area to Calero CP,  Rancho Canada Del Oro OS, and Quicksilver CP/ greater Sierra Azul OS further south and west.  Had planned to stop in there, but ran out of time.

Also hearing that another section of the ridge here, ..the recently shuttered IBM research station ( IBM's Almaden RS ), may be added to the park as the county's open space master plan for the area continues to grow.  Eventually,  from what i have heard / read,  the plan is to link Santa Teressa CP to Lake Almaden, located in the much more populated northern end of the Almaden Valley,  As well as making it possible to hike / bike from there, all the way south into Morgan Hill.  Saw signs of that somewhere else,  i'll get to later. 

On a side note, it was that research station that created the first Ink Jet Printer.  Pretty neat..  Anyway..


Shots n' stuff from where a big part in this person's  personal origin story began..    ..And an unexpected surprise,  ..this time of the palmy kind. 


That boldly honest sign..   About time someone points out the obvious to the often oblivious..   Hopefully this is something done state - wide, vs just within Santa Clara County ...and that the oblivious get the point.  






Views as we head up hill.. 

Looking north toward the more populated end of the overall Almaden Valley. Distant mountain peaks in view include Mt Umunhum ( " Resting place of the Hummingbird " in the local, Ohlone language ) on the left,  Mt. Thayer ..i believe.. on the right.  Right shoulder of Loma Prieta is hidden in the haze on the far left.. 

Ft hills that make up the Quicksilver area of San Jose / Almaden = in front of the valley - facing slopes of the Santa Cruz mtns.







The famous " Box " / " Sugar Cube ' atop Umunhum... Gonna be seeing lots of " Umunhum shots " from this trip..  " Box " represents the last hint of the mountain top's formal job as military station.  Is now part of the Sierra Azul OS area up there.. 

I see you, Mex Fan lollypops,  stickin up in the foreground..




Looking south into the greater, Calero - facing side of the Santa Teressa hills. 




Isolated Toyon ( Heteromeles arbutifolia )  specimen wayy up there...




There's a hazed out Loma Prieta...





Salvia mellifera ( Black Sage ) right,  and Atemisia californica ( CA Sagebrush ) left,   = Two very dominant plants on this hillside that represent part of a habitat you'd see much more extensively in SoCal.. ; " Soft " / Sage / Sagebrush - dominated " subtropical " Chaparral..  Subtropical in the sense that it only occurs on warmer / hot, less frost / freeze prone slopes, esp. this far north. 

As you edge closer to Los Angeles, and / or  San Diego, Soft Chaparral starts adding stuff like Yucca, Agave, Ocotillo ( in the past ) Nolina and Dasylirion species,  and various Cacti to the mix of species you'll encounter in this unique habitat. 

Drier / milder winters,  hotter summers future up this way?  perhaps you'll start seeing those kinds of plants taking root here. 




Another unique plant on these slopes, Arctostaphylos ( Manzanita ) ..  Represents an isolated,  near- northern limit population of Big Berry Manzanita ( A. glauca )  This stand is where i'd collected seed of that species from  .. First Seed  ...of -anything-  challenging   i had ever successfully germinated.  











Nice to see these old faces again.  Missed being able to collect some seed though.. 



Lots of steep switchback curves / big ol' rocks stickin' up in other trail sections here = fun on two wheels  ..and a few bumps along the way. 

" Soil " color is due to the geology type here..










Rising above the hill..  Note the houses below..




Rock wall ..that has been there ...forever..  Pretty sure it separated the two? ( ...or 3?? ) ranches that formally claimed the area..

Nice to see folks haven't ruined it..   enjoyed many lunches on the trail  here..













Aside from the unique Chaparral - type here,  this end of the greater Santa Teressa / Greystone Ridge exposes the viewer to another unique / well known,  CA - centric habitat / geology type..  Serpentine soil / rock dominated grassland..




Exposed Serpentine bald on the left / Mixed matrix  ..but Serpentine dominated...  soil, on the right.. 


As a rock / mineral type, Serpentine / Serpentinite is quite toxic to many plants since it often contains very high levels of Nickel, Cadmium, Cobalt, ..and Asbestos...  If you're able to grow on it,  you likely spent a lot of time evolving to grow on it.. 

Where ever large outcrops of it are exposed, you're very likely to encounter some of the rarer CA. endemic plants that evolved to grow on such toxic soils.. This area / Overall park really  is no exception. 

While it looks rather plain most of the year,  in spring,  ..if it rains enough..  areas here ...and further inside the park which are less over run by all the non native, mainly winter annual " forage " grasses from Europe,  can explode in carpets of color. 

While some of that color grows in plenty of non- Serpentine dominated areas across the valley / state,  if you roam the slopes / examine some of the rockier spots closely,  you'll find some pretty interesting stuff that isn't so common, and helps teach ecology and the direct influence local geology plays in " what grows where ".. 

Nothing flowering this time of year, but did come across a couple Dudleya..





  Not fully sure of the species, but could be specimens of the highly - local / fairly rare Santa Clara Valley Dudleya  ..Dudleya abramsii ssp. setchellii.     A treat to observe if so. 



A few parting views...  Orange, Rock hugging Lichen on the rocks out here has always been fun to photograph.. 










..The surprise for the day?  

Remember the " notice the houses " mention a few steps back?   Well... 

Here's something i was quite surprised to spot growing in a yard way out here from along the trail.  Surprised because,  as i'm sure the viewer noted in various valley - included views,   not a ton of homes out here / plenty of open space,  thus,  .. whatever you'd call this little finger valley, is a colder spot in the overall Almaden Valley / Southwestern end of San Jose yet,  ..Here are some King Palms ( your standard  A. cunninghamiana  ofcourse ) that seem to be doing alright here.. 

Tough to say " how old " they might be / ..how long they've been planted but, ..don't look like they were recent additions to me..



A sign of changing times?   ..perhaps??

Will have to keep a street view eye on them,  ...until i return again, in person.. 

Interesting nod to the two dominant,  ..yet different... ends of my plant related journey as well..   

How's that for a trip down memory lane?..  





...On to the next stop...

>>>>>>
 

....Btw,  wanna house out here? ( ...who wouldn't )  ..It is gonna cost you a few bucks.. 

Noticed a listing ( 4bed / 2 bath ..2400sqft / on 1.87+ acres off Fortini Rd. ) for the cool price of  2.8M bucks..   

So,  ....how many 5 gal plants sold is that? 🙃

 

Simply great 🤗 

[Silas_Sancona]

 Next stop was a new access point to Almaden Quicksilver County Park i'd wanted to get eyes on  that opened to the public a few years ago located on the west side of where i'd been earlier. 

Here,  vegetation is much lusher / more typical of what one sees along either side of the Santa Cruz Mountains..  While not quite as moist once air from the coast gets over the mountains,  this side of the mountains can still squeeze out enough that you'll see a very different palate of plants covering more area across the hills.. 

During wetter winters, can't count how often you could see heavy rain pouring over the slopes here while far less of it would make it to the area where Santa Teressa Park is located, let alone the east side of the Santa Clara Valley / overall San Jose, despite the short distance between each area. Very dramatic example / science lesson of the " rain shadowing "  effect of the coast hugging mountains out here / in most of the coastward side of the state?  ..definitely. 

To some degree, the rain shadowing effect can easily confuse folks whenever a flash flood warning had been issued for the county  ..I mean, if you're hanging out / your home is located somewhere where it isn't raining much, you might assume there was nothing to be concerned with ..until the runoff from the 4 - 8" of rain falling in under a few hours up here starts working it's way to where you're located..


As for the new access point into the park?  is located toward the top of a well known hill in the neighborhood ( Mockingbird Hill )

  While i never did ( my HS years trouble making spot was a different, neighborhood " hill " ) plenty of people i knew would tell late night / weekend stories of racing up / down this hill in their cars, on bikes / skateboards / Go -karts  ...Or rolling bowling balls / dragging other stuff  down it   ...Don't ask, ha ha..

Compared to my spot,  Mockingbird Hill area was far less developed until ~roughly~  the mid -90s, when overall development in Almaden exploded.  No way someone is going to try much of anything up there now, lol. 

Assuming the property the county purchased was part of a ranch / larger privately owned land parcel since it would've been added when the county created Quicksilver Park itself. 

As the name suggests, the park preserves where the greatest Quicksilver / Mercury mining occurred in " New " Almaden..   ..And yes,  if you venture deeper into the park,  you can still observe plenty of artifacts from the area's mining days,  ..as well as raw Cinnabar Ore, ...if you know where to look.

New Almaden Mining Museum is a couple miles further south down the road out here, near where the main entrance to the park is located.

While the views were nice enough, would like to see this area in the spring, when everything is flowering,  and the sun angle / deg. of haze in the air is less of an issue.. 

On a side note, this side of the valley is prime Mtn. Lion country  ..so it's wise to always have your head on a swivel when venturing into the hills out here,  esp. in the mornings/ late afternoon,  ...even if most of those big kitties will run when they see any 2 - leggeds on a trail. 

Believe Black Bears once roamed these hills also, before being driven out of the area sometime in the late 1800s / early 1900s.  Wouldn't be shocked to hear of one or two wandering into the area from where they are seen further south in recent decades. 

As crazy, loud, and hectic as life can be down in the valley,  a trip up into the hills here might mirror a walk in the Appalachian mountains back east.. Very quiet, for the most part, out here.

  Head west or southwest of the ridge where this access point is located and it's quite remote ..and a bit intimidating,  if out there late at night. 

Some reminders....



Parking lot area shots from various angles.. 

Looking North..


West..


South..



PLENTY of " Great Oaks " out here..   In this case, some impressive Coast Live Oak ( Quercus agrifolia )












Wandering down the trail, plenty of great examples of Valley ( Quercus lobata ) and Blue Oak ( Q. douglasii ) dominant woodland. Pretty sure specimens of Q. kelloggii, CA Black Oak, can be found out here too.  Can see a stand of em' atop a low hill from my grandparent's house nearby. 





























Q. douglasii









Q. lobata...  With Phoradendron sp. ( Leafy Mistletoes ) hanging from the branches. 








While most were on the smaller side, plenty of CA. Bay Laurel ( Umbellularia californica ) dotting shadier slopes / finger creeks / canyon heads here. 




While related to  the" traditional " Bay tree ( Mediterranean region origin ) leaves of our native Bay  are a bit stronger so, while they can be used to flavor food, in place of the usual species,  you'd use less  ..unless you want a good headache or stomach trouble, lol. 

Avocado - like seeds can be roasted / consumed  ..and are considered quite flavorful.   Again though, use / consume sparingly and only after proper ID / preparation..  



A couple early native wildflowers.. First thought is that the first is something in the Rose Family ... Geum macrophyllum or similar sp. perhaps, but, that may be far from accurate..




Second i'm pretty sure is closely related to / in the genus Heuchera, Alum Roots.. 



Both are quite common in the hills on this side of the valley.


Nice specimens of Pentagramma triangularis ( probably var. triangularis ) < CA. > Goldback Fern.  The other sub species, ssp. semipallida, also occurs in the area so,  some of the specimens i encountered here and elsewhere may be that sp. 








First of two locally native Fern sps. encountered here..

>>>>>>>>>>>>
 

[Silas_Sancona]

Various view from this  hill...

In true California fashion,  while i'm standing in a park that preserves the " native " end of the floral spectrum,  plenty of palms and other, not so native stuff hanging in the views too.. 

Looking E.S.E across the Almaden Valley toward the central / southern end of the Greystone / Santa Teressa hills...





Pulled in view.. Look closely and you can see both the isolated Toyon, rock wall, and isolated Valley Oak i shot in the first stop. 
Coyote Peak on the far right / Looking up into the north end of Henry Coe State Park in the Diablo Range off in the distance. 





North -ish, wide angle view of the northern end of the Greystone Hills section of the overall ridge that separates the Almaden valley from the rest of San Jose..  





While not a perfect fit obviously,  neighborhoods perched up there on the ridge, and those built up on the hills on this side of Almaden were often considered south San Jose's mini version of places like Beverly / the Hollywood Hills ..   Homes in most spots in both areas are just as expensive and elaborate as what you'd see down south..  One of these days when out there again,  i'll get into some of the " newer " neighborhoods i used to help deliver nursery material to..  Some of the homes had King Palms in their yards and what street views i could see them in are quite old ( ..will have to see if there have been any recent updates )  Anyway.. 

If one wanted to live in a " prime " location for testing anything tender,  these spots are where you would live.. If ya got the money, lol.



Closer up views of  the the " Ramp " that would shape the next several decades ..  ..The heck do i mean?   ...details  forthcoming.. 






Cathedral Oaks Park in the foreground, Guadalupe Oak Grove Park a little further out ( hill above the lighter colored oak in view ) and the iconic office towers at the Pruneyard, in Campbell, CA in the distance..



Dead material on the Coast Live Oak(s) at Cathedral could be damage from a recent grass fire, or a symptom of SOD ( Sudden Oak Death )


Looking southeast, toward Rancho San Vincente OSP / Calero Hills / Reservoir area of the valley..  Peak in view has a name, but can't remember it atm. 




Pulled in..  Homeowner on the right definitely has some great views, lol.. 

Valley Oak in view aside,  trade out the over used, winter deciduous " northern " trees i can see in their landscape for some Mules, Kings,  Brahea and Sabal uresana,   maybe a few Majesties  ..and some other tougher, " tropical " stuff and   ...< Chef's kiss > nod to a view of the future..




Some newer < Expensive > homes being built on a saddle between two peaks near Santa Teressa CP..  What can i say.. Want those views / great spot for avoiding frosty mornings?  Gonna pay for em' 




Some views of San Jose's other iconic Mountain Peak,  Mt. Hamilton / Lick Observatory atop it..  A few more later. 







Finger creek slope covered w/ CA Buckeye ( Aesculus californica )  .. which can form yet another micro - level niche habitat out here.. 






More Ferns..

Baby Goldback..



Maidenhair ( Adianthum ) sp.. 





.....



" Fern Gully "





...And lastly,  a couple friends met on the trail.. 

Red Tailed hawk,  Buteo jamaicensis





Red shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus







..Side note,  there are no " Buzzards " native to the Americas  ..so using the term to describe Raptors / Vultures native to this side of the globe is intentionally inaccurate.   While within the overall  family  of " Hawks " ( Buteo,  )  all Buzzard  species  ...are natives of Europe,  Africa, and Asia..


....Onward ( and upward, ) again  >>>>