Spring Day at My Hiking Park

Oak Riparian Park is the closest place to hike, about 2 miles from our house.  It takes a beating from overuse, litterbugs, dogs off leash, bikes, erosion, etc., but beauty can be found among it's dense chaparral.  Wildflowers, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, hawks, and songbirds are some of it's treasures.  Going midweek, midday, it is actually quite pleasant.  Today was such a day.

 

A California sister butterfly let me get very close.

At this spot a roadrunner ran (of course) across the trail. I have been hearing their unique mournful song the past month.

The yuccas are in bloom!

 

There are many patches of "daisies" right now.

 

This is a very small plant with very small flowers!

 

Almost ready to "pop"!

 

More than a hint of the desert not too far away.

 

This is a good week for flowers - they won't last too long!

 

A pretty red monkey flower.

 

And lastly, some kind of sage.  This is my go to park for exercise, and a little dose of nature.  I'm hoping to see some snakes now that the weather is warming up, but the harder you look for them, the less likely you are to find them - at least in my experience.  Happy hiking!