Western Sword Fern
There is no better start to the day than the sense of calm and serenity one feels when walking through mature redwood groves, with large colonies of Western Sword Ferns (Polystichum munitum) growing at their feet, backlit by the early morning sun. The Western Sword...
Coast Range Newt
Yesterday’s rain brought out another salamander species here at Curbstone Valley, the Coast Range Newt (Taricha torosa torosa), also known as the California Newt. Each year, as the rains return, these newts can be seen scrabbling about the forest, and...
Broom Bashing
French broom (Genista monspessulana), a Mediterranean native similar in appearance to Scotch broom, is right at the top of my list of most loathed plants. French broom was first introduced to California in 1871, escaped cultivation, and was so successful at...
California Slender Salamander
I wasn’t intending on posting another fauna piece so soon, but a few nights ago I met someone new on the property. Well, new to me. It was just dark, and I went to lock our hens up for the night. I entered the chicken run where the hens were still milling...
Banana Slugs
It’s fall, and we’ve noticed the banana slugs are more active around the property again, no doubt due to the cool damp weather. Slugs are not usually favored in most gardens but, with a little research, we’ve come to realize these are actually...
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