April 22 Burke Gilman Trail

I walked along the Burke Gilman trail directly adjacent to the IMA and the soccer and baseball fields. It was an extremely warm day around 70 degrees with minimal cloud cover. I observed numerous plant species and because we are now in the Spring season, I was particularly interested in all of the various flowering plants along the path. Many of the flowering plants I observed were bright blue or purple and I found that I had trouble identifying them. I late learned that many of these flowering plants were horticultural plants that were non-native to the area, which would explain the difficulty I had identifying them.
I was also particularly interested in observing the various moss and lichen species that were still apparent on tree trunks and cement barriers along the path. I was interested in observing moss and lichen species because I have only previously observed these species in extremely damp environments and I was curious to see how these species change in a climate that is drier. I felt what I believe to be a lichen and moss specimen and they felt extremely dry and rough. Their color was either dark brown or a dark olive green and both specimens were showing signs of an extreme lack of moisture. Both felt like carpet almost and had a rough crunchy feel to them. It is interesting to me how much moisture changes the color and composition of lichens and mosses.
I was also able to observe some bird species, I saw numerous small brown birds which could either be Brown Creepers or Sparrows. I have not been able to effectively identify the bird that I was able to photograph, but I am working and researching to accomplish that. I found that observing birds is particularly difficult because of the rate at which they migrate from tree to tree. It is difficult to get close enough to record necessary details to make identification, but I am certain this will improve with practice.
I observed one shrub in particular that was extremely interesting to me. I am not sure if it is a native species because I have never seen it before but it had oval shaped leathery green leaves and clustered deep purple flowers. There were bees pollenating these shrubs and I could observe the bright yellow pollen located on the tip of the flower clusters being transfered from the petals to the legs of the bee. The pollen appeared to just multiply on the legs of the bee and will undoubtedly be carried with the bee wherever it may travel.
I also was able to observe some ferns, I was able to see Sword ferns as well as Bracken. I had never observed Bracken before and it was interesting to see how each out-growing leaf on the fern seemed to be composed of several other leaves, this is evidenced in the photo I was able to capture.
I have not completed my identification of the species I observed on this outing but I will add an updated species list to this journal entry when I am able to do so.
Species List:
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
Horsetails (Genus Equisetum)

Red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

Publicado el abril 24, 2012 06:12 TARDE por laurars13