Little green

Crossing Hinkle Creek a few mornings ago, I happened to glance down and find the surface of the water almost entirely hidden by something green. I crouched on the bridge for a closer look and found duckweed, also known as Lemnoideae. This tiny little water plant, all too easily overlooked, is actually a surprising mini powerhouse of problems and possibility. […]

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Common madia

I see these little golden flowers, also called Madia elegans, nearly everywhere I hike around my area, but I never knew until now that rather than an invasive species they are native plants once used as a food source by the Pomo and Miwok tribes, among others.

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A cool respite

When you’re hiking along a hot, dusty trail on a summer day, it’s always wonderful to come across a cool stream running across your path, bubbling and singing as it drops down to the lake below. The combination of welcoming shade, colorful wildflowers, and sometimes even a few nice, sweet berries makes it possible to continue on down the trail. […]

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