fv2376's Journal

We went on a nice and a sunny day to the Natural Bridges on April 27 to explore the biodiversity of flora and fauna in marine ecosystems. It was very exciting. Then and there, the place felt very cold and was very breezy with smell from Eucalyptus trees around.

Tide pools in Natural bridges was home to may anemones, crabs, insects and plants. It gives a glimpse of life beneath the sea.We took pictures of those and on our way back from the tide pool, we saw many western gulls & snowy egrets. We also took pictures of those and they were found on Moore creek. Lot of varieties of flora - coastal scrubs and grasslands were seen. Due to spring we could see wide bright blooms of wild flowers too. Pets were not specifically allowed because they could smell these marine lives and disturb their living. Another exciting thing I noticed was that the waters were carving a another new passage in the rocks cutting them and forming like a cave structure. I have heard many canyons are formed this way by the water cutting the rocks and mountains.

After taking pictures of all these marine organisms & birds, we had some refreshments and visited a small museum at the visitor center. They had photos about natural bridges that was before (in 1900s). There existed many and now there is only one left. Waters destroy as well as create new bridges. There was information about Monarch butterflies. During the fall times, many monarch butterflies would migrate to escape northern winter and would rest in groups on the trees. The photos just looked like half folded paper colored in orange & black. Few other terrestrial organisms were also on display. There were real dead starfish , anemones etc for touch and feel.

Overall, this was a pleasant trip since the weather was apt and this was my first ever time exploring the ocean waters and life with a different perspective. I was in awe how wonderful nature is and that I had missed this all these years.

My hiking place that I chose for this field assignment was Lake Chabot Regional Park. It is a 315-acre, well-stocked lake and is open for fishing and boating throughout the year. It is a popular Bay Area fishing destination and boating. We went there on a nice sunny day before my spring break started. The Lake Chabot Regional was close to a 1 hour drive from where we live (Campbell).

When we reached I saw many picnicking areas, plenty of grassy lands, horseshoe pits, hiking trails, bicycling, jogging, and running trails. There were lots of different varieties of flora and fauna on the way we walked there including birds (like the Canada Goose), many organisms (like mushrooms) and plants (like poppies). There were many wild flowers colored in purple, pink, yellow , orange and white. Lake was surrounded by huge hills that were covered with trees. There were so many of them that we took plenty of pictures. It was full of greenery. As we walked through the trail, we came to a junction - naturally formed U - shaped tree branch that resembled like a huge dark cave. The mud was wet and I entered into it and that is where I recorded most of my organisms since the nature was undisturbed with less sunlight. We went in there and saw a bunch plants & animals. There were mosses (ones that were attaches on tree branches) , mushrooms, lady bugs, insects, worms, birds, etc. The signboard stated the 315-acre Lake Chabot was also stocked with trout and catfish. There are also bass, crappie, and other fish. We did see a person who caught a live fish and was taking it home. Fish may be cleaned only at the cleaning station along the walk near the parking lot and I saw how it was done. While I was hiking I did see some lizards and salamanders that were resting on branches taking sunbath. Few butterflies were also there but they were so quick that I could not take any pictures.

Another interesting thing was posted the day I went there . They had posted signs and warnings of danger saying blue green algae growth in the lake which is poisonous and water should not be used for drinking purposes and not fed to pets. Also swimming was not allowed. Blue-Green Algae (also called cyanobacteria) are natural organisms that are present around the world in ocean and fresh water. Their blooms release toxins and not safe to living things.

Chabot Lake was indeed a beautiful and a diverse place and lots to learn and explore. Wish I could go next time.

My first hike was at Hayward Regional Reserve Marshlands and at the MA center (sorry if I didn’t mention about the MA center in the field assignment that was due on the 26th). I went there a week or so before this assignment was due (which was on Feb 26th). I think it was on the 17th of February. It was a very cold & rainy day so we didn’t get to see many animals at the Marshlands. I saw only a few there. But the MA center, had a good ecosystem with hills and varied fora & fauna. It had many ducks, birds, horses, deers, cattles, cows, etc. It also had tons of flowers, oak trees and bushes. We took pictures of those.There were similar kinds of flora and fauna at the Marshlands too but just a few. So, I took pictures of whatever I could see. Since both the Marshlands and the MA center had similar flora and fauna (oak trees along with some bushes , other interesting plants + animals), I feel like the community type should be a Deciduous forest. By "deciduous", I mean its leaves at some point of year will start to shed and later regrow as climate OR seasonal changes.