May 31, 2022

SHARING SECRETS: Favorite Nature Walk

Edited by Cathy Tylka, for Let’s Talk Plants! June 2022.

Guy Fleming Trail in Torrey Pines State Reserve,

This month’s question:

What is your favorite nature walk? Is it in San Diego County or somewhere else in the world?

Carolyn Conway of 92625 replied…

… There are several nice natural places to walk: Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Back Bay and one quite close to home that isn't generally known is Buck Gully in Corona del Mar. These are all convenient with beautiful scenery, but each is unique. Many people visit on weekends or vacations. Locals can enjoy them during the week when it's not crowded. For people who live in other climates, these are pretty mellow in comparison.

Crystal Cove State Park in the OC.

Buck Gully Trail.

Ken of 92117 shared…

… One of my favorite nature walks (they may change with the seasons or even monthly) is the Guy Fleming Trail in Torrey Pines State Reserve, especially in April and May. Great seascape views, one of the world's rarest pines, interesting coastal sage scrub, wildflowers, and maybe even an exciting encounter with the planet's fastest animal ... the Peregrine Falcon! On calmer days, one might spot dolphins, sharks or even a whale in the water below. Take your binoculars! It is generally an easy, mostly level loop walk of less than a mile. For me, a short drive from my Bay Park location. I have a State Parks Pass, so I can drive and park next to the trailhead (avoid very busy weekends unless you go at 7 am.)

Thelma Lee of 92116 reported…

… My favorite is Yolo Bypass preserve outside of Davis, California. It is bird heaven and gorgeous.

This refuge is a cooperative effort between conservationists and rice farmers. The flooded rice field attract birds. The marshland and rice fields create a varied landscape. Thirty-five or more bird species on any given day.

And, Wikipediae states, "The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is located within the Yolo Bypass in Yolo County, California. The wildlife area is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with the intent of restoring and managing a variety of wildlife habitats in the Yolo Basin, a natural basin in the north part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The creation of the wildlife area was spearheaded by the Yolo Basin Foundation.[1] The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Yolo Basin Foundation are the core partners in the operation of this unique community resource."

Elizabeth Nash of 92014 . . .

. . . loves, Mt. Laguna in the rain and, also, loves the seasonal changes that walking the trails in Mt. Laguna offer, bright orange, autumn oak leaves, winter snow on pine needles, spring wildflowers, and golden summer grasses.

Cathy Tylka of 92026 . . .

. . . loves, Daley Ranch in Escondido. This is such a lovely riparian area. It is enjoyed by walkers, dogs on leash, horseback riders and bicyclists. There is a Docent who makes sure every third-grade class gets a visit to our wonderous area. They learn about the flora and fauna of the area as well as the animals.

Ida Rigby professes…

… Blue Sky Ecological Reserve in Poway is a favorite walk at any season. In spring there is a weeks-long succession of wildflowers, from pendulous currant blossoms to mallows. The woodpeckers, raptors and songbirds accompany you on your walks. The reserve itself shows the sad results of a combination of the 2003 wildfires and drought in the dead oaks. The reserve features areas of chaparral, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub and riparian vegetation. The two-mile round trip on the mail gravel road is level. You can also connect to Lake Poway and Mount Woodson or climb up to Ramona Dam. Unfortunately, I have no photos, the result of the usual myopic view of humans who photograph extensively in foreign terrain and neglect the wonders on their own front doorsteps.

Karen England of 92084 admits . . .

. . . my favorite nature walk is in Ireland. I’ve hiked the whole island of Inishmore, which is the largest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland, two times, several years apart (the photos below of me in Inishmore are from 2004 on the right and 2007 on the left), and I dream constantly of returning to walk it again.