Manchester, Mendocino County: Day 1

 

Rattlesnake Grass (Briza maxima L.) is sometimes known as Big quaking grass, and is now a common non-native grass species that can be found across many California grassland habitats.  It was introduced from Europe long ago, and was planted as an ornamental grass, but has long escaped into the wild where it is mostly found in coastal grasslands and coastal woodlands,  but also inland in many counties including Mendocino. It can form dense grass stands that displace other species, but typically is mixed with other grasses and forbs.   The common name is from its resemblance to rattlesnake rattles and it makes a "quaking" sound  when blown by the wind.  It is frequently used dry bouquets.  Today, we found it in our campground, the adjacent state park, and at the Elk beach park, where I photographed it with the hints of purple.  

We started out our first day in Manchester, heading east on Mountain View Road into Boonville,  traversing this windy narrow road through lovely forested areas.  In Boonville, where we stopped at the Mosswood Market (cafe and bakery) and bought a delicious, still warm loaf of sourdough bread.

We left Anderson Valley via Greenwood Road past Hendy Woods State Park, and on to Elk where we had planned to lunch at Queenies, but it was closed even though it usually open on Mondays in the pandemic.  There, we walked out toward the beach overlook.  The cliff side of the trail had some interesting insect holes:

The overlook has spectacular views of the rocks off the Elk coastline.

We returned to the trailer and made a lovely sandwich lunch with the fresh loaf of bread.  After a lazy afternoon, we walked along the beach trail from the campground and saw many beautiful wildflowers, as well as three buzzards interested in something in the distance.

Liz had walked the trail the day before, never seeing a soul.  Today, it was the same--we had the trail to ourselves.

Tonight as I write this, we have a grey squirrel in the pine tree overhanging our camper.  He is dropping cones on the top of the trailer, and now we hear his footsteps on the trailer roof as he comes to carry them away...