Hillside walk, 03 March 2014
Weather during the past week was dominated by a series of storms that began on the evening of Wednesday, February 26, with a clear spell on the Thursday. Then later on Thursday the rain set in again, and continued through Saturday, March 1. The total rainfall was 146 mm, or 5.75 ins.
During this period, two special outings were made to look at the liverworts and mosses, on February 27 (during the clear spell) and on March 2, the day after the end of the rain.
The regular, full hillside walk for the week was on Monday, March 3. It being so soon after the rain, few changes were apparent in what is blooming, although the species count is gradually increasing.
Special attention was paid to the liverworts, as is apparent from the large number of liverwort photographs. Many liverworts look like they are ready to breed, but so far no actual indication that it's happening.
These liverwort appear to be Asterella californica. However, in just a couple of instances, it's possible that the species is different. One of these is in Canyon 6 and the other in Canyon 3B. In both instances the thallus is long and narrow, and it lacks sexual markings. To see photographs, click here or here.
Below are are three panels of photos:
A. 27-Feb-2014: Liverworts and mosses
B. 02-Mar-2014: Liverworts and mosses
C. 03-Mar-2014: Regular hillside walk
