I don't know what plants these are, that seem to
grow using the redwood for support. It is still
winter here so there are no leaves or berries for
identification. I'm sure an expert - who already
knows what it is cold identify the plant from this picture, but I need more to go by for looking it up. While most trails are nicely groomed and placed in especially aesthetically pleasing spots,
the forest is messy, littered with tree debris and
hard going without a well maintained trail. I know this because I've tried it - you can spend an hour just making 30 feet of progress.

What I liked about this area was the strong, straight - and large - tree trunks in contrast to their twisting, undulating vine-like friends. I haven't seen this in very many places, although I do usually stay on the beaten track.

Dusting of Snow

Here is a second photo from the day we had a light dusting of snow - which is about all we ever get in the redwoods. Nothing to slow you down or require a shovel.

Finally a walk in the woods

A rare snow in the redwoods. Of course, once you step more than 5 feet into/under the canopy, no snow can reach the ground. In closer studying of the Redwood Tree, they have uncovered & documented an amazing array of life - from fallen tree to the tippy-top of still-growing trees. The rain forests in tropical zones have been better studied than our own coastal redwoods - a temperate rain forest.

The first report I've heard on the fall salmon run (Nov '09 to Jan '10) is good - lots of them !! This report is on the Van Duzen River salmon. I have not heard yet on the Delta salmon population and their return statistics (spawning salmon). We've had lots of decent rain the last several weeks - and two noticeable earthquakes as well - and its good to see the Eel so full .... its been a few years. Glenna was also glad to get out of the house, into the car and on to the forest.