There are so many things I love about living in California, but one thing I really enjoy doing each spring is visiting some of the vernal pools in our area. I've shared a visit to different vernal pools here that were in their dry stage. This is the stage where the wildflowers are abundant. We recently visited some vernal pools at a local park that we haven't been to in a number of years. Truth be told, we couldn't quite remember where the pools were and the area surrounding the pools has changed so much including the land where the pools are located. What a difference a few years make...
Now the vernal pools are part of a park, Phoenix Park, and rather than the large vernal pool that we remember, there are a number of smaller vernal pools. Although the neighborhood is probably very happy that the park has a baseball diamond and other park amenities, you can't help but wonder what the impact of this development has been on these natural wonders.
The day that we visited was sunny and windy and the pools were in the wet or aquatic stage which means that they are teeming with life and the wildflowers are not yet prevalent. Teeny, tiny frogs no larger than your fingertip can be seen. Fairy shrimp no more than an inch long, itsy bitsy flies and bees, and other flying insects whose sole purpose is to pollinate some of the wildflowers that only grow in and long the vernal pools.
We were bending over this pool looking at a teeny frog when all of a sudden we heard a loud ruckus and saw...
These guys running as fast as they could away from...
...this guy...He was scared off though and luckily the wild turkeys were given a reprieve.
We saw a few water fowl that day.
And quite a few wildflowers, although they weren't blooming en masse like they are during the dry stage.
Over 200 species of plants are found in vernal pools and about half of these are exclusive to this habitat.
What's so fascinating about vernal pools is that no two are alike. There are different species of animals that inhabit a shallower pool than a deeper one.
Each plant and animal species is dependent on how long the pools are flooded. It has rained longer than I can remember any spring since I have lived here and I wonder how this has affected them.
If you'd like to learn more about these pools, visit the Fair Oaks Recreation District Web site. They have a brochure you can download and beautiful photos of the pools.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful park, Elaine! I've never heard the term "vernal pools" before, but I think we have some unofficial ones around here after the wet Spring. Now, you'll have to tell me what that predator is????
ReplyDeleteYou really captured the park and the lovely time you spent there with your beautiful photographs! Was that a coyote? It sounds like it was a perfect spring day and I can't believe all of the wildlife you were able to see! So fun!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I had an idea that I wanted to run past you but couldn't find your email on your blog. Would you mind sending me an email when you have some time? Its about the Summer Series. My email should be listed on my blog at the top.
I've never heard the term "vernal pools" either, but I saw the definition on your first post about them. I'm also curious about that predator! Is it a wild boar?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I meant to say it looks like you had a really lovely day!
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for your comments! It definitely looked like a coyote to us, but he disappeared pretty quickly because he was scared off by someone walking along the trail. The park is close to the American River, so he/she probably came along the river from the foothills looking for food.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great park, Elaine. I also learned about vernal pools with your post (or maybe relearned? It's been a while since we've taken out the Planet Earth DVDs).
ReplyDeleteElaine, how beautiful! What a lovely day, your photos really captured everything perfectly...feel like I was there through your photos! Hope you had a great holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe park is a wonder but your photos of it are spectacular. How nice to have such a spot close by. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have such a beautiful place so close by! Wonderful photos as always, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteHow funny, I was researching areas around our new property (Rancho Cordova) and grabbed pages from "vernal pools"! :) I remember these from previous posts - they look like wonderful areas to visit and have so close by!
ReplyDeleteElaine, You live in such a lovely place. I also have never heard of a vernal pools…Love that they are so full of life. Your pictures are gorgeous and I truly enjoyed your post! Sounds like you are enjoying your spring. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThat's a gorgeous place and so full of wildlife! I wonder if the animal was a coydog, as it looked a little different from the coyotes I've seen (sometimes walking down the street, even in the city). Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
ReplyDelete