Bird's eye view

Site description

Erin Armstrong

India Hines

11/12/12

Period:2

Eaton Canyon Site Description

            Our site in Eaton canyon was a spot along the trail with about five oak trees around for some shade. It was about 16.45 meters form west to east, and about 6.4 meters from north to south. There were a couple of rocks to sit on. To the north of our site there was a little cliff; and on top of that was another trail with some oak trees. To the west there was some cactus. To the east and the south there was a lot of brown, dry, grass. Around where we were, under the trees, many dry oak leaves covered the ground.

            Around are site, there were not that many animals. We could see bugs such as ants on the ground and gnats flew around our faces. We could hear many different birds in the trees and animals in the bushes but we could not see them. Around us there was much dry grass. There were about five oak trees and there was a cactus plant.

 

List of Plants

List of Plants, Scientific Name, and Abundance:

Coastal Prickly Pear (Opuntia littoralis)- This type of cactus is native to this area. This type of cactus has spines as well as flower buds, that are yellowish red, sprouting from the cactus. The fruit that sprout from the cactus are red to purple and many many seeds. (Seen 9)

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)- This is a native evergreen tree. It has small, waxy, and spiny leaves, which are adapted to the dry climate. Acrons are thin and pointed and can reach 80 feet. ( Seen 4)

Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa)- This is a native tree, and is found near areas abundant in water. They can reach up to 70 feet. (Seen 1)

Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)- A dainty, native sub-shrub, it has a clever way of attracting pollinators to the correct flowers. (Seen 7)

Green Everlasting (Gnaphalium californicum)- A native annual or perennial with jagged-edged leaves and clusters of small, white flowers, it can grow to 3 feet. (Seen 2)

Pine Goldenbush (Ericameria pinifolia)- A native shrub, its needle-like leaves look similar to those of the California Sage-brush, but smell more like pine than sage. (Seen 1)

Horseweed (Conyza canadensis)- A non-native annual, it can be found in weedy, waste, or disturbed places. (Seen 1)

Mule Fat (Baccharis salicifolia)- A native shrub, often found near the creek bed.  Has narrow willow-like leaves, and can grow up to 12 feet tall. (Seen 1)

Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)- The leaves and stems contain a toxin that can cause a severe skin rash in most people and animals.  It has compound leaves made of three leaflets. This plant can reach 4-5 feet tall, in height as a shrub. It can also be seen as a vine as well. (Seen 6)

Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)- This bush has dainty purple flowers. Has squarish stems and dark green leaves. When the plant is dry it can be used as a seasoning. It can grow up to 6 feet tall. (Seen 3)

California Coastal Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)- A native shrub, it has a strong, sagelike aroma but is a member of the sunflower family. (Seen 5)

Laurel Sumac (Malosma laurina)- Known as the "Taco Plant" because of its' folded leaves. The dried flower bunches can look like mini trees. It can reach 7 feet tall. (Seen 2)

Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)- This is a native deciduous tree that has hand shaped leaves with five "fingers". The bark of the tree has splotches of white and brown, that gives it the peeling effect. It is found not to far from water and can reach 60 feet. (Seen 11)

Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)- This tree/shrub has white coated leaves and trumpet shaped yellow flowers. It would be unwise to smoke this because all parts of this plant is toxic. Can grow up to 20 feet tall. (Seen 3)

Red Willow (Salix laevigata)- This tree has long, thin leaves and usually found in areas abundant with water. Can reach 15 feet in height. (Seen 2)

List of Animals

List of Animals, Scientific Name, Number Seen, and/or Evidence of Presence:

Great Basin Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis longipipes)- Very common lizard found along rocks, fences, and logs. It is light gray to black on top and has a blue metallic throat and belly sides. It can reach up to 6 inches long. (Seen 4)

Coyote (Canine latrans)- Common in Eaton Canyon. The coyote's pelt varies from grayish-brown to yellowish-gray on the upper parts, while the throat and belly tend to have a buff or white color. The forelegs, sides of the head, muzzle and paws are reddish-brown. (E.O.P. 2)

Mule Deer (Odocoileus Hemionus)- The mule deers' tail is black tipped, and their antlers fork as they grow (E.O.P. 1)

California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)- This type of squirrel is found everywhere throughout the chaparral biome and California.Their fur contains a mixture of gray, light brown and dusky hairs; the underside is lighter, buff or grayish yellow. The fur around the eyes is whitish, while that around the ears is black. (Seen 2) 

Desert Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii)- The desert cottontail uses burrows made by other rodents rather than making its own. Like all cottontail rabbits, the desert cottontail has a rounded tail with white fur on the underside which is visible as it runs away. It is a light grayish-brown in colour, with almost white fur on the belly. (Seen 2)

Citations

Eaton Canyon Website:
"Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates Home Page." Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ecnca.org/>.

Las Pilitas Nursey Website:
"CaliforniaChaparral." A Description and List of California Native Plants That Live in the Chaparral Plant Community. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/chaparral>.

CalPhotos Website:
"CalPhotos." CalPhotos. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/>.

jkk

Eaton Canyon Observations-Armstrong

Eaton Canyon Observations
10/29/12

11:12 a.m.
Very sunny and warm when we get off the bus

11:14 Ms.
Mrs. Mullen shows us what poison oak looks like and we follow her down the trail

11:18
India and I begin to look for a campsite and a rabbit runns across the trail very quickly. Also there is some scat on the trail.

11:31
We found a nice shady spot so the tempreture feels cooler, we start taking pictures and look and listen for any signs of wildlife.

11:45
I hear many birds chirping and rustling in the bushes but do not see any animals. There are quite a few insects that keep nbugging me though.

11:50
I begin to eat my lunch but still see no animals except for the insects flying around.

12:08
India and I pack up and start to head back for the bus

12:15
On the way back we see som birds and a lizard

12:18
We arrive at the bus

Eaton Canyon Observations-Hines

India Hines- Obeservation Log 10/29/12 11:31am-12:08pm

Weather: Arid, breezy, sunny, hot- about 75 degrees

Looking for campsite- Start heading north then go northwest to find a spot

At campsite- Facing South, sitting under the shade from a large amount of trees, ground covered in leaves

Sitting on a small rock right on the floor.

11:31

Just found a site to observe under trees in the shade, many dead plants , set up camp and I find a rock to sit on to start my oberservations

11:34

There is a nice breeze, many leaves rustle, a multitude of flying insects are annoying me

11:38

I take a picture of our camp site and hear some birds chirping, these insects seem to like me, but I don't like them

11:46

I hear something rustle in the dead bushes around me, I come to think that it was a lizard, this fly keeps coming back for more

11:49

I get up and walk around our site a bit, take pictures, I point out a black sage bush, take a picture of it

11:53

I still hear the birds chirping, I'm unable to indentify them, the insects are still annoying me

11:55

I'm still standing up, I see a bird fly over me, it has a white belly, black face and beak, an long black tail. I come to think that it is a magpie, but I'm not sure

11:59

Notice the dead cactus around our camp, cannot identify them, they were to dead

12:08

I just noticed the time, we pack up and start walking to the bus