This rare plant sure made us drive, drive, drive to reach it, reminding us it really is all about the journey. Come along on the journey of appreciation for the small and spikey Howell’s Tauschia.
Tag: photography
Three months in Humboldt County, CA, what us two Nomadic Naturalists got up to
You can do a lot with three months based in Humboldt county, California, even during the fall and winter. If photographing rare insects, parasitic fungi, and recaps on our ongoing Nomadic Naturalist projects sounds intriguing, read on.
Hearts in Nature, because we all need a lil love nowadays
A second round collection of hearts I’ve found in nature has arrived. This time with more meaning. I hope you enjoy the lil stories and context to where each was found, then go out and find your own.
Ahh the things we’ll do for an onion….
What would you do to observe a new-to-you rare onion? Well, on this day in May of 2024 we put in a lot of miles, beat up our car, beat up our muscles, and would do it again for the Minnesota Mountain Onion.
A Very Snail-y Spring, BioBlitzing SoCal’s Rare Snails
We didn’t set out to see as many snails this winter and spring as possible, but that’s what happened. Southern California’s rare snails got some extra attention this year. It was lovely meeting and photographing some of them.
California’s Flaming-Trumpet, Collomia rawsoniana
Some botanical trips take us to the most random and remote parts of California. This beautiful and elusive plant was no different! The Flaming-Trumpet, Collomia rawsoniana is truly a botanical beauty!
Floral Friday: Ramshaw Meadows sand verbena, Abronia alpina
A sand verbena in the alpine of the Sierra Nevada Mountains? What? It’s pink and purple, and forms a beautiful little cluster? Read all about this fascinating plant worth a backpacking trip to meet. Let me introduce you to Abronia alpina.
Floral Friday: Spanish Needle Onion, Allium shevockii
This blog post documents an adventurous quest to locate the Spanish Needle Onion, also known as Allium shevockii. Despite unforeseen setbacks like a flat tire, we eventually found the plant on June 4th. The Spanish Needle Onion is a rare species found in a limited area of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, growing in metamorphic talus outcrops within specific forest communities. A fantastic flower to start of the “Floral Friday” blog series.
Tidy Tips, an overlooked California superbloom superstar
Ever heard of the flowering plant called ‘Tidy tips?’ If so you’ve probably visited a superbloom site this year in California. If not these adorable flowers of the genus Layia are sure to delight your senses. Learn about four species in this blog post, afterwards you’ll be itching to go find some for yourself.
One iNaturalist Observation a Day, 2022 Edition
What does the daily practice of making one iNaturalist observation a day look like? Take a read of this blog post highlighting one observation per each week of 2022. Insects! Fungi! Wildlife! Plants! Costa Rica! Canada & California! Perhaps you’ll be inspired to start your own streak of observing something in nature every day!
Featured Creatures of November ’22
What do sea slugs and fruiting fungi have in common? Both are poppin and full of color in Northern California throughout November of 2022. Fall and winter is full of diversity!
Are you a member of the Drumstick Truffleclub Club?
Ever heard of a Drumstick Truffleclub fungus? Well then you’re in for a real treat. Then become part of the club, you won’t regret it!
Featured Creatures of October ’22
Learn about some of the creatures I observed in Northern California in October of 2022. Parasitizing fungi, salamanders, slime molds, a special frog species, and more!
Frightening Fall Fungi
Witch’s Butter? Jack-O’-Lantern? Bleeding Tooth? Many fall fungi of Northern California are fruiting, just in time for the spookiest time of the year. Take a look at some of the most “frightening” fall fungi.
Deadfall & Falling Over Dead, iNatting the Tchaikazan-Spectrum-Yohetta Loop
If it wasn’t the bug kill that drove us crazy perhaps it was the milage and heavy bags that had us falling over at the end of the day. Then how could this be potentially our most favorite backpacking trip of all time? Take a read to find out why.
Chloe Van Loon's Nature Blog 