Signs of "Spring"

Although spring is about 50 days away, there are some tell-tale signs near the house. The wild peonies are starting to emerge, the manzanitas are busily flowering and the grass is growing!

Young wild peony.

More wild peony, popping out of the grass.

A very young peony shoot, hoping for slightly warmer weather.

The Ribes has been slowly expanding its new leaves.

No bees seen at this flowering manzanita yet (it was just below freezing last night, though).

Close-up of manzanita flowers. They are (almost) pristine right now!

A Diversion from the Woods: Torrey Pines State Beach, California

Some observations made after our recent winter storm, on a long walk south from the parking area along Torrey Pines Road, and back.

Thornback Guitarfish (Platyrhinoidis triseriata): a casualty of the storm, perhaps

Giant Green Sea Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica). A few were clinging to rocks as the tide went out.

Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima).

Leaf Barnacles (Pollicipes polymerus).

Unicorn snail (Acanthina lugubris): one of the larger native sea snails along our coast.

Limpets upon limpets.

A chiton (possibly the conspicuous chiton?).

The foggy land-sea-scape.

Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis)