CNDDB News Blog

Fall is officially here! The California heat is dying down and the fall transition is starting, which means many native species are preparing for the winter months to come. This transition period can create photo and observation opportunities that aren’t available year-round. Here are our favorite photos from September!

Euphilotes enoptes smithi – Smith’s blue butterfly

Submitted by Patrick Scott – California Department of Transportation

This male Smith’s blue butterfly was spotted posing on some seaside buckwheat on the coast of Monterey County. Smith’s blue butterflies start to emerge in the late summer and early fall to mate specifically on two buckwheat species, seaside buckwheat and seacliff buckwheat. They carry out their entire lives within a couple hundred yards of these buckwheat species! This butterfly has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1976. A large reason for their decline is habitat loss due to development, invasive plants, and livestock grazing. We always enjoy seeing endangered species such as the Smith’s blue butterfly fighting against all odds and reproducing in their native habitats. Thank you, Patrick, for this beautiful photo!

Arctomecon merriamii – white bear poppy

Submited by Kristin Forgrave

This delightful perennial was found along the Tetracoccus Ridge in Death Valley National Park. It is listed as a 2B.2 (rare or endangered in California, common elsewhere) in the California Rare Plant Ranking system. Arctomecon merriamii can also be found in Nevada where it is considered vulnerable. In California, it is commonly found in rocky areas of chenopod scrub, or Mojavean desert scrub. Having missed the April to May flowering period, it is no surprise we see the fruiting bodies on this individual. Thank you, Kristin, for the hard work you do and the amazing photos you provide!

Do you have some great photos of rare plants or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!

Can you believe September is practically here? Another summer season is slowly winding down and we appreciate everybody enduring the heat to capture these awesome photos! There were a lot of great Online Field Survey Form photo submissions this month making it hard to choose just two. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Athene cunicularia – burrowing owl

Submitted by Juan Hernandez, Hernandez Environmental Services

Juan discovered this pensive burrowing owl near the shore of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. Burrowing owls are a California Species of Special Concern known to nest underground in burrows that are often created by ground squirrels. They are site faithful and will return to the same burrow to nest every year. These charismatic owls suffered declines in population due to development and habitat reduction, but have been known to adapt to agricultural areas, especially in Imperial County. Thank you, Juan, for this incredible photo!

Sidalcea malachroides – maple-leaved checkerbloom

Submitted by Veronica Yates, Mattole Restoration Council

This fascinating perennial, more commonly known as maple-leaved checkerbloom, was found along a cattle trail on the coastal bluffs in the King Range National Conservation Area. It is listed as a 4.2 (limited distribution in California) in the California Rare Plant Ranking system. Veronica's initial concern for the small population was that cattle activity along the trail may be harmful to the plants. However, S. malachroides has been shown to thrive in disturbed areas and is often found where logging has occurred. Regarding the cattle Veronica suggests, “perhaps their impact provides the plants space to exist.” The plant may sometimes be confused for others, but its flower helps it stand out. According to Veronica, “Had it not been for the elegantly unique white mallow flowers, I doubt we would have noticed it!” If you find yourself in the North or Central Coast regions from April to August, keep an eye out for this amazing flower. Thank you, Veronica, for all the hard work you do and the fantastic photos you send.

Do you have some great photos of rare plants or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!

The hot summer days have not stopped people from going out into the field and exploring the great outdoors. Here are a couple of great Online Field Survey Form photos that were submitted to us in July:

Antrozous pallidus – pallid bat

Submitted by Veronica Wunderlich

Veronica found this pallid bat in a sticky situation – clinging to branches in a pond, unable to get out. She helped relocate it to a safe and dry spot. The pallid bat is an insectivore and typically catches insects found on the ground. CNDDB currently has 420 occurrences in 49 counties across California for this Species of Special Concern. Thank you, Veronica for this submission and the cool story behind the photo!

Castilleja ambigua var. humboldtiensis – Humboldt Bay owl’s-clover

Submitted by Crystal Welch, Botany Technician with BLM office in Arcata, CA

Crystal, a Humboldt State University grad, professes her good fortune in being able to explore the diverse botanical communities that Humboldt County has to offer, and attributes her love of the natural world to the experiences she has had in Humboldt. A word straight from Crystal, “I love every minute of being outside and contributing to the greater scientific community!”

This amazing little annual was found in a salt marsh in Humboldt County. It is endemic to California and is commonly found in coastal salt marshes and swamps along the northern coast. Castilleja ambigua var. humboldtiensis more commonly goes by the name Humboldt Bay owl’s-clover. It is listed as a 1B.2 (rare throughout its range) in the California Rare Plant Ranking system and you can see these amazing little flowers from April through August, perfect for those summer hikes! Thank you, Crystal, for all the hard work you do and the love you hold for our beautiful world.

Do you have some great photos of rare plants or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!

Summer is officially here, folks! The snow is melting in the Sierras and the sun is shining throughout the valleys. Thank you to everybody who snapped and submitted photos of species taking full advantage of the California sun. Here are our favorite Online Field Survey Form photo submissions for June:

Taxidea taxus – American badger

Submitted by Matthew Grube

Matthew observed this adult badger crossing a road near San Timoteo Canyon in San Bernardino County. It stopped on its way to an open field just long enough for Matthew to catch its stoic pose. American badgers are a Species of Special Concern. Being one of the most popular mammal submissions we receive, there are currently 590 American badger occurrences across the entire state in the database. Thank you, Matthew for this wonderful submission!

Ceanothus gloriosus var. exaltatus – glory brush
Submitted by Heather Morrison

Heather found this exciting shrub in Mendocino County in an opening of a mixed forest consisting of redwood, Douglas fir, and tanoak trees. It is endemic to California and is commonly found along the northern coast in chaparral. Ceanothus gloriosus var. exaltatus more commonly goes by the name glory brush. It is a California Rare Plant Rank 4.3 plant, and you can see these wonderful poofs of flowers from March to June, with the occasional late bloomers still around in August. So, there is still time to see them before they are gone! Thank you, Heather, for the hard work you do and such an awesome photo!

Do you have some great photos of rare plant or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!

During the month of May, the CNDDB got some great photos along with many Online Field Survey Form submissions. With the weather warming up, emerging plant and animal species can be seen more easily which can lead to great photo opportunities! Here are our favorites from this month.

Aquila chrysaetos – golden eagle
Submitted by Kathy Kayner

Kathy spotted male and female golden eagles with a nest near El Dorado Hills in west El Dorado County. She was able to get the female in flight and the male perched next to their impressively built nest! The golden eagle is a California Fish and Wildlife Fully Protected species. The database currently has 259 mapped golden eagle occurrences in 34 counties across California. Thank you Kathy, for your contribution!

Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus – most beautiful jewelflower
Submitted by Kristi Lazar of the California Natural Diversity Database

Kristi, CNDDB's very own botanist, found these interesting flowers in Contra Costa County along a trail she was hiking. It is more commonly known as the "most beautiful jewelflower," which it certainly lives up to. Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus has a longer blooming period that includes the spring and summer months, perfect timing for those out to enjoy a hike. It is a California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2 plant, only found in the Coast Ranges of California. Thank you Kristi, for such an amazing photo!

Do you have some great photos of rare plant or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!