Ocean View School Oak Ambassador Natalie teaching on Vamonos Trail

 

What is that mossy stuff hanging from the oaks? Natalie shares the story of lace lichen with her cousin while hiking in Vamonos Canyon at the Pismo Preserve. Did you know that California has a State Lichen? Yep! This mossy stuff isn't moss and it is honored as the State Lichen of California. Pretty interesting that it is not one but two organisms (up to three for lichens in general) living symbiotically. 

Pismo Preserve nature watch

I was beyond excited to see

red tail hawk visit me 

at the Vamonos trail, 

since it'd been awhile.

Similar to each of you,

this gifted creature is 

watcher, keeper, & protector, 

of Pismo Preserve.

Thank you for keeping this 

a special place -

for all creatures.

Alison Watt Jackson

Pismo Preserve Volunteer Ranger
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County

 

Oaks have flowers ~ where acorns begin!

Coast live oak flowers at the Pismo Preserve, March 6,2017 (Photo credit: Lyza Johnson)

Male oak flowers or catkins (Photo credit: Lyza Johnson)

Sally Krenn holding oak flowers, January 23,2017 (Photo credit: Alison Jackson)

Coast live oak male flowers or catkins on January 23,2017 at the Pismo Preserve (Photo credit: Alison Jackson)

Bumblebee on phacelia at the Pismo Preserve, February 9,2017. We saw a hillside covered with these beautiful blooms and busy bees at work!