What
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)Observer
arnelDescription
A small flock of Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), photographed at the Elk Grove Commons Shopping Center in Elk Grove, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)Observer
arnelDescription
A Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis), photographed at the Elk Grove Commons Shopping Center in Elk Grove, CA. Zooming in on the bird reveals a stripe around the bill that is heavier and thicker than any similar markings that can appear on the bill of the similar California Gull (Larus californicus). There is also no hint or indication of a red gonys on the lower mandible, which would be apparent on the lower mandible of a California Gull. Finally, there is a hint of a pale iris, although it is harder to see this trait, as the eye of this gull is somewhat obscured in shadow.
What
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)Observer
arnelDescription
An American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), photographed on the roof of a hotel near the intersection of West Stockton and Laguna Boulevards in Elk Grove, CA.
What
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)Observer
arnelDescription
A Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), photographed along Desmond Road at Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)Observer
arnelDescription
A small flock of Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons), photographed at Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County, CA.
What
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)Observer
arnelDescription
A small flock of Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens), photographed at Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County, CA.
What
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)Observer
arnelDescription
A small flock of Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens), photographed at Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)Observer
arnelDescription
A Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), photographed at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southern Sacramento County, CA.
What
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)Observer
arnelDescription
A small flock of House Finches (Haemorrhous mexicanus), photographed at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southern Sacramento County, CA.
What
California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)Observer
arnelDescription
A California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica), photographed in one of the shopping mall parking lots along Harlan Road in Lathrop, CA
Photos / Sounds
What
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)Observer
arnelDescription
An American Robin (Turdus migratorius), photographed at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southern Sacramento County, CA.
What
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)Observer
arnelDescription
A pair of Common Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula), photographed at the largest of Delta Shores Ponds, located along Delta Shores Circle in Sacramento, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)Observer
arnelDescription
A couple of Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula), photographed along Elk Grove Creek, just opposite from Arnie and Iris Zimbelman Park in Elk Grove, CA.
What
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Observer
arnelDescription
A Great Egret (Ardea alba), photographed as it was hunting in Elk Grove Creek, just downstream from Arnie and Iris Zimbelman Park in Elk Grove, CA.
What
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)Observer
arnelDescription
A pair of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), photographed on private property along Mack Road in Sacramento, CA.
What
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)Observer
arnelDescription
A European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), photographed in a Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) near the intersection of Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Main Street in Elk Grove, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)Observer
arnelDescription
The larvae of a Lady Beetle (Coccinellidae sp.), photographed at Camden Park in Elk Grove, CA.
What
Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)Observer
arnelDescription
The pupae of some Lady Beetles (Coccinellidae sp.), photographed at Camden Park in Elk Grove, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Boxelder Bug (Boisea rubrolineata)Observer
arnelDescription
An adult Western Boxelder Bug (Boisea rubrolineata), photographed at Stone Lakes National Wildlife in southern Sacramento County, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Boxelder Bug (Boisea rubrolineata)Observer
arnelDescription
The nymph of a Western Boxelder Bug (Boisea rubrolineata), photographed at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southern Sacramento County, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common European Greenbottle Fly (Lucilia sericata)Observer
arnelDescription
A male Common European Greenbottle Fly (Lucilia sericata), photographed on private property in Sacramento, CA. Note the apical arista on the fly's antennae; the prominent white calypters; the sharp bend that the M1+2 vein makes towards the M4+5 vein; the lack of large, evenly spaced setae on the abdomen (setae there are densely crowded together); the shiny, metallic green thorax and abdomen, with long median bristles on the scutum; the separation between the eyes measuring ~10% of the full head width; and the orange basicosta at the base of each wing. Identification follows the Field/Photo ID for Flies by Even Dankowicz, available here: https://sites.google.com/view/flyguide/home.
What
Coprinellus radiansObserver
arnelDescription
Coprinellus radians (identification tentative), photographed on the stump of a non-native shrub that I found on private property in Sacramento, CA. The mica-like scales on the cap indicate that it belongs in the genus Coprinellus. iNaturalist's top suggestion is Coprinellus radians, which has confirmed observations from the Sacramento area, seems to grow exclusively on decaying wood (rather than wood chips and other woody debris), seems to be found singly or in small numbers (not large troops or clusters), and is visually similar to the mushroom in my photograph. For now, I will go with this identification; however, as I have no prior experience with C. radians, I consider this identification to be very tentative. Corrections and suggestions are welcome!
Photos / Sounds
What
Jelly Spot Fungus (Dacrymyces stillatus)Observer
arnelDescription
Some Jelly Spot Fungus (Dacrymyces stillatus), photographed on the somewhat eroded log of a Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). I found this fungus and its host log along the Bear Gulch Trail at Wunderlich County Park in Woodside, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Field Bird's Nest Fungus (Cyathus olla)Observer
arnelPlace
Lagna Creek Town Center Shopping Center, Frankling Blvd & Laguna Blvd, Elk Grove, CA (Google, OSM)Description
Some Field Bird's Nest Fungus (Cyathus olla), photographed in the bark mulch of some landscaping in the Laguna Creek Town Center shopping center at the southeastern corner of Laguna and Franklin Boulevards in Elk Grove, CA. The 'nest' structure of this fungus measured between 1 cm and 1.5 cm in diameter, while its 'egg' structures measured between 1 and 2 mm across. Identified as C. olla based on this fungus' size (which is relatively large for a bird's nest fungus), the smooth internal and external surfaces and the distinctive, flaring rim of its 'nest', and the grayish color of its 'eggs'.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum)Observer
arnelDescription
Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum), photographed along the Bear Gulch Trail at Wunderlich County Park in Woodside, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow-staining Milk Cap (Lactarius xanthogalactus)Observer
arnelDescription
A Yellow-staining Milk Cap (Lactarius xanthogalactus), photographed along the Bear Gulch Trail at Wunderlich County Park in Woodside, CA. Note the more or less zonate, orange cap; the broadly attached, creamy pinkish-yellow gills; and the white latex that turned yellow within seconds of exposure to the air.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Bay (Umbellularia californica)Observer
arnelDescription
A California Bay (Umbellularia californica) sapling, photographed along the Bear Gulch Trail at Wunderlich County Park near Woodside, CA.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Polypody (Polypodium californicum)Observer
arnelDescription
Some California Polypody Ferns (Polypodium californicum), photographed along the Madrone Trail at Wunderlich County Park near Woodside, CA. Note that there are four photographs in the set of pictures that I've submitted to document this specimen:
Shot 1 - Shows these ferns in situ along the Madrone Trail.
Shot 2 - Provides a view of some of these ferns' fronds. These fronds varied between
20 cm and 25 cm in length.
Shot 3 - Provides a close-up view of the sori on the underside of one of the fern's fronds, as well as the small hairs along the midrib there. The sori are oval in shape, measuring between 1 mm and 3 mm along their major axes, somewhat less along their minor axes,
Shot 4 - Provides an even tighter close-up of the sori in Shot 3.
Note the membranous (not fleshy) fronds, the largely oval sori that are sunken into tissue of the fronds, the irregular outline of the fronds themselves, and the irregular margin of the frond's individual leaf segments.
Photos / Sounds
What
Jointed Charlock (Raphanus raphanistrum)Observer
arnelDescription
Jointed Charlock (Raphanus raphanistrum), photographed near the start of the boardwalk trail at Cosumnes River Preserve in southern Sacramento County, CA. This plant's dimensions were as follows:
Plant height: ~2.8m
Cauline leaf length: ~6.0 cm
Flower corolla tube length: ~1.0 cm
Petal length: ~1.25 cm
Maximum petal width: ~0.75 cm
Note that it closely resembles its nearest relative, Wild Radish (Raphanus sativus). However, Wild Radish's newly emerged flowers are pink, purple, or white, whereas Jointed Charlock's newly emerged flowers are pale yellow. There are also some differences in the morphology of their seed pods, but I think the seed pods on the specimen in my photograph are too immature to be used for identification purposes.
Photos / Sounds
What
Broadleaf Mistletoe (Phoradendron macrophyllum)Observer
arnelDescription
Some Broadleaf Mistletoe (Phoradendron macrophyllum), photographed on the branches of a Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) at Baxter Park in Stockton, CA. Note that there are six photographs in the set of pictures that I have submitted to iNaturalist to document this mistletoe:
Shot 1, which shows that mistletoe growing in situ on its host plant.
Shot 2, which provides a closer shot of one of these mistletoe clumps. This clump was rather large, with stems measuring 25 cm to 30 cm or longer.
Shot 3, which provides a close-up of a branch on one of these mistletoe clumps, showing the opposite arrangement of their leaves.
Shot 4, which provides a close-up of the upper surface for one of the mistletoe's leaves. Note that the blade of the leaf is not especially fleshy. In this case, the blade measured between 2.5 cm and 3.0 cm long.
Shot 5, which provides a close-up of the lower surface for one of the mistletoe's leaves. Once again, note that the blade of this leaf is not fleshy. In this case, the blade measured ~3.0 cm long.
Shot 6, which gives a close-up view of some of the mistletoe's uniformly white berries, with each berry being around 3 or 4 mm long.
I identified this plant as being P. macrophyllum as follows (using the treatment given to the Mistletoe family in Jepson's eFlora):
1) Within the Mistletoe family (Viscaceae), there are three genera present within the state of California: Arceuthobium, Phoradendron, and Viscum. The large size of the mistletoe in my photographs (with stems > 20 cm), its non-angled stems, and the uniform color of its berries eliminate Arceuthobium from consideration.
2) Mistletoe within the genus Viscum have large fleshy leaves with blades measuring between 5 cm - 8 cm in length. As the leaves of the mistletoe in my photographs are smaller (2.5 cm to 3 cm long) and not fleshy, it cannot belong to that genus. By process of elimination, this means that the mistletoe in my photographs must belong to the genus Phoradendron.
4) Within the genus Phoradendron, we can immediately eliminate from consideration those species whose leaves are scale-like - i.e., P. californicum and P. juniperum. This leaves us with three candidate species: P. bolleanum, P. leucarpum, and P. macrophyllum.
5) P. bolleanum does not occur in the Central Valley, where the city of Stockton is located. Moreover, its leaves are narrowly elliptical (length generally > 3 X width), rather than being circular to broadly elliptical (length generally < 1.5 X width), as is the case for the mistletoe in my photograph. Therefore, the mistletoe in my photograph cannot be P. bolleanum.
6) The leaves are yellow-green in color and somewhat shiny, which is true of Phoradendron macrophyllum (= Phoradendron leucarpum macrophyllum in Jepson's). For the only other remaining alternative (Phoradendron leucarpum ssp. tomentosum), the leaves are generally grayish-green and dull, so the mistletoe in my photographs cannot belong to that species.
References:
[1] Job Kuijt (2013). Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. macrophyllum, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, Revision 1, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=98417, accessed on February 26, 2024.
[2] Job Kuijt (2013). Phoradendron, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, Revision 1, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=10281, accessed on February 26, 2024.
[3] Job Kuijt (2013). Viscaceae, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, Revision 1, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=283, accessed on February 26, 2024.
[4] Bryant, Peter J. (n.d.). Big-leaf Mistletoe (Long-spiked Mistletoe, Sycamore Mistletoe). Natural History of Orange County, CA, and nearby places. Retrieved on 2/26/24 from https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Viscaceae/Phoradendron%20macrophyllum.htm
[5] Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals.[web application]. 2024. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/ (Accessed: 02/27/2024).
[6] Phoradendron macrophyllum. (2010, February 6). In Wikipedia. Retrieved on 2/27/2024 from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phoradendron_macrophyllum&action=history