Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mellifera
), hedge nettle (
Stachys bullata
), California mugwort (
Artemisia douglasi-
ana
), and yerba buena (
Satureia douglasii
). Spring welcomes colorful purple, orange,
and yellow blossoms from species such as silver and yellow bush lupine (
Lupinus
albifrons
and
arboreus
), sticky monkeyflower (
Mimulus aurantiacus
), seaside daisy
(
Erigeron glaucus
), and seaside wooly sunflower (
Eriophyllum staechadifolium
).
Trees in this community are shrub-like, and few exceed 10 feet in height. California
bay (
Umbellularia californica
) and coast live oak (
Quercus agrifolia
) nestle in rav-
ines, while dense clusters of willows (mostly
Salix coulteri
) huddle near water.
The coastal bluffs and low rolling hillsides endure the constant assault of wind
and salt spray, which sculpt and prune the plants to grow low and rounded. These
species favor areas of heavy fog, average precipitation, abundant sunlight, and mild
year-round temperatures. In Big Sur, northern plants thrive in moist locations, while
southern species are more abundant in arid locations. When fire burns mature stands
of coastal scrub, lush herbs and nutritious new growth thrive, providing prime for-
aging and nesting habitat to a greater number of animals.
Seeds, berries, roots, flowers, and young seedlings provide excellent food
sources for herbivores, while woody plants provide nesting material. Omnivores and
predators use the abundant scrub as cover from which to hunt, while prey species such
as rodents, snakes, and small birds use it to hide from the former. Resident species
include:
MAMMALS
Mule deer, coyote, bobcat, gray fox, brush rabbit, black-tailed hare,
California ground squirrel, Botta's pocket gopher, California meadow mouse, brush
mouse, pinyon mouse, Merriam's chipmunk, long-tailed weasel, striped skunk, and
dusky-footed woodrat.
BIRDS
California condor, red-tailed hawk, white-tailed kite, California quail, western
scrub jay, wrentit, California thrasher, song sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, bushtits,
rufous-sided and California towhees, Anna's hummingbird, and western meadowlark.
REPTILES
Western fence lizard, alligator lizard, western skink, gopher snake, Califor-
nia mountain king snake, western terrestrial garter snake, and western rattlesnake.
