Entries by John Poimiroo

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On Golden Pond


Folsom Lake, El Dorado Hills (12/1/22) John Poimiroo

For one season of the year, I live on Golden Pond. Autumn is when the sunsets are most dramatic. A clearing storm intensifies the drama.

As Thursday’s gully washer cleared, Folsom Lake first became gilded, then frosted, then set aflame.


Folsom Lake, El Dorado Hills (12/1/22) John Poimiroo


Folsom Lake, El Dorado Hills (12/1/22) John Poimiroo

If You Know Where To Look


Feuille-morte, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (11/30/22) Frank McDonough

It’s the first day of December. Rain is pelting the street and a hushed roar occasionally rushes by the house as an unseen wind swirls past. If any day, this Autumn, feels like winter, it is today.

Yet, as I read The New York Times this morning, the headline declares, “California Has Brilliant Color … If You Know Where To Look.”

I do. It’s found in low canyons near streams where California sycamore, Frémont cottonwood and California black walnut glow in chestnut, gold and saffron displays.

It’s found in neighborhoods, city parks and urban forests where the limbs of Liquidambar, Bradford pear, and Gingko biloba release their feuille-morte to flutter down, carpeting the landscape with vermillion, scarlet and gamboge.

Fall color is still here, despite the storm, if you know where to look.

To read The Times’ article, CLICK HERE.

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Jurassic Park


Gingko biloba (c), Acer palmatum (l), Garden of Quiet Reflection, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (11/30/22) Frank McDonough

A real Jurassic Park exists in Southern California, one where you can see living remnants of the Jurassic period. It is the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia.

It qualifies as a true Jurassic Park because of the spectacular Gingko biloba trees that inhabit it. Dating back 170 million years to the middle Jurassic period, the Gingko is one of the world’s oldest and most amazing trees.

It was one of the first trees to be cultivated. Though it has existed throughout all human history, it continues to fascinate us for its beauty – for sure – but also for the astounding things we continue to discover about it.

GigaScience reports a team of Chinese scientists found that with some 41,840 predicted genes, the gingko is known to have a considerable number of antibacterial and chemical defense mechanisms, making it highly resistant to disease and infestation.

They are so hearty that six trees growing within 2 kilometers of the atomic blast at Hiroshima were among a few living organisms to survive it. Some gingkos are known to have lived over a thousand years. 

BBC News tells us that the Gingko has a genome numbering 10.6 billion DNA nucleobase letters. In comparison, the human genome has but three billion. While gingkos have been used in Chinese medicine since at least the 11th century, few gingko-related remedies have been authenticated by Western medicine, the U.S. National Institutes of Health state.

Of course, what attracts us is not its science, but its beauty. Gingko leaves have long been symbols of artistic perfection, and Frank McDonough’s images of peaking gingkos support that premise.


Chinaberry, Melia azerdarach, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (11/30/22) Frank McDonough

  • LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (482′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!

Stocking Stuffers

Looking for affordable items to give a fall color spotter who has everything? Here are some book suggestions (in alphabetical order):

  • California’s Fall Color – A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra, G Dan Mitchell, Heyday
  • California’s Wild Heritage, Threatened and Endangered Animals in the Golden State, Peter Steinhart, Sierra Club Books
  • California Wildlife Viewing Guide, Jeanne L. Clark, Falcon Guides
  • Edible Wild Plants and Useful Herbs, Jim Meuninck, Falcon Guides
  • Foraging California, Christopher Nyerges, Falcon Guides
  • Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada, John Muir Laws, California Academy of Sciences
  • Nature’s Palate, The Science of Plant Color, David Lee, The University of Chicago Press
  • National Audubon Society Field Guide to California, Peter Alden & Fred Heath, Knopf
  • National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms, Chanticleer Press
  • National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees, Western Edition, Elbert L. Little, Knopf
  • Northern California Nature Guide, Erin McCloskey, Lone Pine Press (Kids)
  • Oaks of California, Bruce M. Pavlik, Pamela C. Muick, Sharon Johnson, Marjorie Popper, Cachuma Press
  • Plants of Northern California, Dr. Eva Begley, Falcon Guides
  • Sierra Nevada Tree Identifier, Jim Paruk, Yosemite Conservancy
  • Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, Karen Wiese, Falcon Guides
  • Southern California Nature Guide, Erin McCloskey, Lone Pine Press (Kids)
  • The Sibley Guide to Trees, David Allen Sibley, Flexibound
  • Trees, Todd Telander, Falcon Guides (Pocket Identifier)
  • Trees and Shrubs of California, John D. Stuart and John O. Sawyer, California Natural History Guides

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Sycamore Grove Park


California sycamore, Sycamore Grove Park, Livermore (11/28/22) Salil Bhatt
Sycamore Grove Park, Livermore (11/28/22) Salil Bhatt

As seen in this and the previous post, California sycamore are at peak both in northern and southern California. I’d asked East Bay color spotter Salil Bhatt to visit Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore, and he reports the sycamore as slightly past peak, noting they were probably their best during Thanksgiving week or the week prior.

Southern California sycamore are trailing by a week, which is worth noting for future visits.

Note the distinctive multi-stemmed, weathered trucks of California sycamore. At perfection, they are sculptural in form. The leaves depicted in these images are uniformly golden, though other examples in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA have combined burnt sienna, gold, yellow and raw umber, wonderously.

Salil reports that, “Fall has progressed rather quickly over the Thanksgiving weekend in the East Bay. As late as Thanksgiving day, the colors were just cresting peak and when I got back from my weekend trip – many of the trees had already dropped their leaves. The remaining have leaves that have taken on a more muted brown. There is still color to be found, particularly in the native cottonwood and some oak species but the area as a whole is rapidly approaching past peak.

“With that in mind, I rushed to take a quick run of Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore to see what was left of the sycamore. Most had crested peak probably a week or two ago, but there were some splashes of color remaining. There was more color in the cottonwoods, willow and walnut. I even spotted a few vineyards with peak foliage. He even found a juvenile sycamore sprouting below an older one, bringing a smile to his face as he imagined the succession of generations of these noble natives.”

Salil concluded, “I suspect the storms this week will likely strip the remaining color of the trees, sealing the story of autumn for this year in the East Bay.”
 
Good observation, Salil. Oncoming weather is predicted to bring rain, cold and wind which will undoubtedly spell the end of fall color in northern California. I was gathering leaves with my e-blower this week and turned it upward toward an Eastern redbud which immediately sent golden leaves spinning and swirling, leaving branches bare.
 
In a few days, the slightest breeze will strip what color remains, at least up north. Down south, the storm is not predicted to be as strong and fall color will continue to develop, with Orange County being the last county in California to glow from autumn’s blush.
  • Sycamore Grove Park, Livermore (495′) – PEAK to Past Peak, GO NOW, You almost missed it.

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Sycamore Canyon


California grape, Sycamore Canyon, Whittier (11/26/22) Frank McDonough

Q. What does the Botanical Information Consultant of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden do on his day off?

A. He looks at trees.

What Frank McDonough did this past weekend can only be described as a busman’s holiday. He hiked Sycamore Canyon in Whittier on a day off, and when he came upon magnificent examples of California wild grape (Vitis californica), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Southern California black walnut (Juglans californica), Frémont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and California sycamore (Platanus racemosa), he had the presence of mind to photograph and share what he found.

For that, Frank earns a First Report for Sycamore Canyon and our thanks. 

Sycamore Canyon is a 3.3-mile out-and-back trail with a gain of 331 feet. It’s considered to be an easy hike. McDonough reported peak fall color throughout much of the trail, making it California Fall Color’s Hike of the Week.

Today, I spoke with Soumya Karlamangla, California correspondent to The New York Times. She observed that Southern California’s autumn color seems more iridescent and apparent than in previous years. She noted seeing vibrant vineyards near Santa Barbara this past week and said several of her SoCal friends believe this autumn stands out from previous years for its brilliance. She asked if we have any explanation.

I replied that this autumn has benefitted from mild weather (few storms and light breezes) that allowed foliage to retain their fall color. Cool nights and warm days have also combined to intensify color change. This has been common statewide.

Presently, both Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area are showing beautiful color, as McDonough has illustrated in his photos of Sycamore Canyon and the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia.


Southern California Black Walnut and Toyon, Sycamore Canyon, Whittier (11/26/22) Frank McDonough

  • Sycamore Canyon, Whittier (318′ – 945′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!

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Sunday Services


Gingko biloba, First United Methodist Church, Pasadena (11/26/22) Ken Lock

A celestial light shines through the stain glass window and a weathered Gingko biloba that appears to be raising its branches in praise at Pasadena’s First United Methodist Church.

It is peaking within the urban forests of Los Angeles County. Exotics are in their glory, praise the Lord.

  • Pasadena (863′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!

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Danville Delivers


Oregon ash, Iron Horse Trail, Danville (11/26/22) Danielle Ormsby-Toombs

Oregon ash were continuing to carry peak lemony leaves along the Iron Horse Trail, in Danville on Saturday.

Danville is a town identified by its landmark trees. The lengths that Danville goes to protect the health and preservation of them stands out. It lists these trees as protected:

  • Blue Oak (Quercus Doulgassi)
  • California Bay (Umbellularia California)
  • California Black Oak (Quercus Kelloggi)
  • California Buckeye (Aesculus Californica)
  • California Sycamore (Platanus Racemosa)
  • Canyon Live Oak (Quercus Chrysol)
  • Coast Live Oak (Quercus Agrfolia)
  • Interior Live Oak (Quercus Wislizenii)
  • Madrone (Arbutus Menziesii)
  • London Plane Tree (Plantanus Acerifolia)
  • Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata) and
  • White Alder (Alnus Rhombifolia).

It also protects heritage and memorial trees. In one famous instance, Danville refused to allow a planted redwood tree from being cut which residents said blocked sunlight from their residence. The town even went so far as to erect a formidable structure to support a 350-year-old Valley oak which is the town’s symbol.

When it comes to delivering fall color, Danville delivers.

  • Danville (358′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!

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Sensorio


Sensorio, Paso Robles (11/20/22) Claudia Cram

Large, commercial, holiday light displays have become very popular during late autumn and early winter. They are found in ball parks, arboreta, fair grounds, theme parks, neighborhoods, even a mountain resort. Though the most evocative of California’s landscape is Sensorio in Paso Robles.

Sacramento area color spotter Claudia Cram visited recently and shares these images. Created by artist Bruce Munro, Sensorio has two major features: the Field of Light  which undulates over several acres of terrain with blooms of colored lights spreading around a foot path and the Light Tow­ers, a tribute to Paso Rob­les’ wine coun­try with 69 tow­ers made from over 17,000 wine bot­tles that are illu­mi­nat­ed by fiber optics and that respond to a musical score.

The Field of Light is best at dusk when oaks are silhouetted against the Paso Robles hills, though it is dramatic when glowing against the inky-black Central California sky.


Sensorio, Paso Robles (11/20/22) Claudia Cram

Listed here (in date order) are several of California’s largest recurring holiday light displays. Entry fees apply to most, and some benefit charities.

  • Sensorio, Paso Robles – Through Dec. 31
  • Enchant, Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento – Through Jan. 1
  • Winterfest, Great America, Santa Clara – Through Jan. 1
  • Holiday in the Park, Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo – Through Jan. 1
  • Illuminate SF, San Francisco – Through Jan. 1
  • Holiday in the Park, Magic Mountain, Valencia – Through Jan. 1
  • Imaginarium, CalExpo, Sacramento – Through Jan. 2
  • Lightscape, LA County Arboretum, Acadia – Through Jan. 8
  • World of Color, Disneyland, Anaheim – Through Jan. 8
  • Christmas Celebration, Sea World, San Diego – Through Jan 8
  • Festival of Lights, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens – Through Dec. 16
  • Wildnights at the Living Desert, Palm Desert – Through Dec. 24
  • Mission Inn Festival of Lights, Riverside – Through Jan. 4
  • Stockton Lighted Boat Parade – Dec. 1
  • Lighting of the Snowmen, Sonoma – Dec 1
  • Christmas Tree Lane, Fresno – Dec. 1-25
  • Capistrano Lights, San Juan Capistrano – Dec. 1 – Jan. 6
  • Lighted Boat Parade, Morro Bay – Dec. 3
  • Roaring Camp RR Holiday Lights Train, Santa Cruz – Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-23
  • Boat Parade of Lights, Dana Point Harbor – Dec. 7-8, 14-15
  • Snow Wonder and Holiday Boat Parade, Marina Del Rey – Dec. 8
  • Parade of Lights at the Harbor, Santa Barbara – Dec. 9
  • Harbour Boat Parade, Huntington Beach – Dec. 9 – 10
  • Bay of Lights, San Diego – Dec. 9, 16
  • Fisherman’s Wharf Lighted Boat Parade, San Francisco – Dec. 14
  • Zoo Lights, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens -Dec. 14 – 30
  • Night of Lights, Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes -Dec. 15
  • Christmas Boat Parade, Newport Beach – Dec. 19 – 23

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Ambassador Park


Ambassador Park, American River Parkway (11/25/22) John Poimiroo

Between miles 18 and 19 on the American River Parkway is Ambassador Park, a compact riparian woodland containing Black oak, Oregon ash, Black walnut, Valley oak, Fremont cottonwood, California grape, California blackberry, Western sycamore, Box elder, California buckeye and Black elderberry.

Few of the cyclists, walkers or runners passing through this section are aware of the rich diversity of the woodland’s flora. They only know that it’s beautiful.

I spent Orange Friday cycling the Amertican River Parkway and peak is passing in the Gold Country, its cities and beside its rivers, though there is still a golden tone to the parkway, as seen above and in the following botanical images.


Black oak (l), Oregon ash (r), California blackberry (foreground), Ambassador Park, American River Parkway (11/25/22) John Poimiroo

  • American River Parkway (89′) – PEAK to Past Peak, GO NOW, You almost missed it.