The entrance to the west side of the Pinnacles National Monument is marked by this sign. The west Pinnacles is day use only. There is no camping on this side. You may camp at the east Pinnacles, however. I camped there a few times before this time around, and I always liked it. It is great for wildlife viewing, too.
Friday, May 04, 2012
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Visitor Center
The west Pinnacles has a new visitor center! In December 2011, the old Chaparral Ranger Station was removed and replaced by this brand new visitor center. It even has that new visitor center smell - lol.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - 4/23/12
A view of the Pinnacles from the west side of the park.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
We always called this guy the Blue Belly, because of the bright blue patches on its belly and under its neck. This guy seemed to be unconcerned that a giant human with a big camera lens was coming its way, and it never even moved. It did seem to give me the stink eye, however - hehe.
We always called this guy the Blue Belly, because of the bright blue patches on its belly and under its neck. This guy seemed to be unconcerned that a giant human with a big camera lens was coming its way, and it never even moved. It did seem to give me the stink eye, however - hehe.
Pinnacles National Monument - Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
Look closely....there's a bird in there - lol. The Roadrunner is a member of the cuckoo family. They are typically found in desert and shrubby habitats in the southwestern US and northern Mexico. And, excuse me, but it looks nothing like Wile E Coyote's nemesis. I think Warner Bros exaggerated him a bit - lol.
Look closely....there's a bird in there - lol. The Roadrunner is a member of the cuckoo family. They are typically found in desert and shrubby habitats in the southwestern US and northern Mexico. And, excuse me, but it looks nothing like Wile E Coyote's nemesis. I think Warner Bros exaggerated him a bit - lol.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Juniper Canyon Trail1
A view from the Juniper Canyon Trail on the west side of the Pinnacles National Monument. I love this trail. It is full of wildflowers in the spring.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - unknown flower
Not sure what kind of flower this is, but I think it may be a type of gilia or linanthus ????
Pinnacles National Monument - Stellers Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
The Stellers Jay is a member of the corvid family, which includes crows, ravens, nutcrackers and magpies. This jay is the only crested jay west of the Rockies.
The Stellers Jay is a member of the corvid family, which includes crows, ravens, nutcrackers and magpies. This jay is the only crested jay west of the Rockies.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - California Ground Squirrel
This little guy was so busy scurrying around looking for nuts, that he got close enough for me to photograph with my macro lens (as I left my telephoto lens in the car while I was out hiking the Juniper Canyon Trail)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Pretty Faces
Triteleia ixioides
Pretty Face (aka Golden Brodiaea)
Pretty Face (aka Golden Brodiaea)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Fremont's Star Lily
Erysimum capitatum
Fremont's Star Lily (aka Death Camas, Fremont's Death Camas, Star Lily)
Fremont's Star Lily (aka Death Camas, Fremont's Death Camas, Star Lily)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Western Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum
Western Wallflower (aka Sanddune Wallflower, Wallflower)
With a visitor ... a Variable Checkerspot butterfly
Western Wallflower (aka Sanddune Wallflower, Wallflower)
With a visitor ... a Variable Checkerspot butterfly
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Coastal Hedge Nettle
Stachys chamissonis
Coastal Hedge Nettle (aka Coast Hedge Nettle)
Coastal Hedge Nettle (aka Coast Hedge Nettle)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata
Elegant Clarkia (aka Woodland Clarkia)
Elegant Clarkia (aka Woodland Clarkia)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Padre's Shooting Star
Dodecatheon clevelandii
Padre's Shooting Star
Padre's Shooting Star
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Goldfields
Lasthenia californica
Goldfields (aka California Goldfields, Valley Goldfields, Common Goldfields)
Goldfields (aka California Goldfields, Valley Goldfields, Common Goldfields)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Cream Cups
Platystemon californicus
Cream Cups (with Goldfields in the background)
Cream Cups (with Goldfields in the background)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Woodland Star
Lithophragma heterophyllum
Woodland Star (aka Hillside Woodland Star, Hill Star)
Woodland Star (aka Hillside Woodland Star, Hill Star)
Pinnacles National Monument - Seep Monkeyflower
Mimulus guttatus
Seep Monkeyflower (aka Common Yellow Monkeyflower)
These flowers typically grow near streams, rivers, other water sources and wetlands.
Seep Monkeyflower (aka Common Yellow Monkeyflower)
These flowers typically grow near streams, rivers, other water sources and wetlands.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Chinese Houses
Collinsia concolor
Chinese Houses (aka White Collinsia)
Chinese Houses (aka White Collinsia)
Pinnacles National Monument - Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia parviflora
Miner's Lettuce (aka Streambank Springbeauty)
Miner's Lettuce (aka Streambank Springbeauty)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Johnny Jump Up
Viola pedunculata
Johnny Jump Up (aka California Golden Violet)
Johnny Jump Up (aka California Golden Violet)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy - the state flower of California
California Poppy - the state flower of California
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Red Stem Filaree
Erodium cicutarium
Red Stem Filaree (aka Coastal Heron's Bill, Redstem Stork's Bill)
Red Stem Filaree (aka Coastal Heron's Bill, Redstem Stork's Bill)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Broadleaf Filareee
Erodium botrys
Broadleaf Filaree (aka Longbeaked Filaree, Longbeak Stork's Bill)
Broadleaf Filaree (aka Longbeaked Filaree, Longbeak Stork's Bill)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Blue Dicks
Dichelostemma capitatum
Blue Dicks (aka Wild Hyacinth)
Blue Dicks (aka Wild Hyacinth)
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Juniper Canyon Trail
A view from the Juniper Canyon Trail on the west side of the Pinnacles.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Juniper Canyon Trail
A view from the Juniper Canyon Trail on the west side of the Pinnacles.
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Juniper Canyon Trail
A view from Juniper Canyon Trail on the west side of the Pinnacles.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Pinnacles National Monument (West) - Barn
Just a pic of a cool looking barn near the entrance to the West Pinnacles National Monument.
Pinnacles National Monument (East) - California Towhee
Pinnacles NM_California Towhee3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.
Melozone crissalis
California Towhee
Pinnacles National Monument - (East) - Spotted Towhee
Pinnacles NM_Spotted Towhee5, originally uploaded by kimberzy.
Pipilo maculatus
Spotted Towhee - there were quite a few of these guys at the East Pinnacles campground.
Pinnacles National Monument (East) - California Quail (female)
Pinnacles NM_California Quail_fm, originally uploaded by kimberzy.
Callipepla californica
California Quail (female) - the female's plume looks more like an apostophe, whereas the male's plume looks like a question mark. The female also is duller in color than the male.
Pinnacles National Monument (East) - California Quail
Pinnacles NM_California Quail1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.
Callipepla californica
This male California Quail gives his best runway pose. He is more boldly colored than the female. He has a black head, whereas the female is grey/brown all over.
Pinnacles National Monument (East) - Cottontail Rabbit - 4/22/12
The tail end of a Cottontail Rabbit (no pun intended - lol)
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
Grab my blinkie if you wanna
(Click on the links below to go there.)
Click the moose to sign my Guest Book
My "pet"
Visit CALM
