September
This is Summit Park in September.
The sun has been shining for some time, so the park is quite dry.
The grass is dry, dead, and has been cut down in most places. The leaves of the Garry oak trees are turning brown.
Due to the dry weather the moss is not lush. Moss needs moisture in order to reproduce.
However, even these plants are droopy and look thirsty.
Orb weavers are everywhere.
In this photo- they were caught doing the mating dance.
Mating can be dangerous for the males because the females often attempt to cannibalize and eat the males before, during, or after.
This male was lucky and fell off before he was eaten... this time.
Nearby residents cats are often found in this park, which could be bad for the local birds and rodents.
The steps this park has are delightful.
This fern is taking advantage of a shady area, which is one of the few places to keep the morning dew.
(Identified later as Licorice ferns)
The park is full of these ferns anywhere there are rock outcrops.
There are plants growing in the dry weather. I believe to be these Greater Periwinkle plants.
Early October
The first few rains have come and gone, and grass and moss are soaking it up!
The sunsets are beautiful from up here, even if the photographer can not capture them.
The Garry oak tree leaves are falling.
These trees were used by coastal peoples as fuel and construction material. The fruit, an acorn, is bitter and toxic unless leached and was prepared this way by the Native Americans. The acorn can also be used to make a pretty silver ink.
I spy
A cutie with a big booty!
It's a little Jumping spider!
This one area has a lot of insect traffic.
Many spiders, grasshoppers and other cute crawling critters.
Mushrooms! The first week of october and already a mushroom has been spotted!
This park is quite popular.
There are people painting and people walking their puppies.
I love the view here, and but also the view of the Garry oak treetops is awesome. Brown, green and yellows seem to blanket the treetops from up on the rocky, highest point of Summit park.
There is just one spot I have found this succulent growing in the park. I like to check it every time I go for a walk now.
Another guest in the park.
The stairs lead to Smith hill reservoir, and the pavement connects to other paths, including a circle path that goes through the park.
Smith hill reservoir.
Seagulls and a few ducks today.
I did not notice the black squirrel climbing up the middle tree until I got home and checked my photos.
A Fire Cherry tree's leaves are maturing and turning red. The seeds of this tree are fire resistant. After a forest fire, these are one of the first to start growing.
I'm noticing a lot of what grows at Summit Park is like this- fire resistant or pioneer species.
Hiding from the sun,
this plant appreciates the roof we made it.
Late October
The rain, the rain, and the rain. The park is green again. If I didn't know any better I would have said the green leaves fell and made the grass grow.
This month I found a new exit after years of visiting this park.
A tall Psathyrella grows out of a crop of juniper haircap moss.
These mushrooms usually grow in a group under conifers and hardwoods or in decaying woody areas, and fruit after fall rains.
The juniper haircap moss loves this area for the acidic soil and the rocky areas.
All sorts of life is popping up absolutely everywhere due to the abundance of moisture.
Wooly Fringe moss! This stuff is super cool. Last month this patch was more of a silver color, due to being dried out. This moss can survive long periods of time with no precipitation by bringing its cells closer together. Then, when water is reintroduced the moss springs back to "life". Soaking up the water like a sponge.
Fairly new set of stairs from the reservoir to the park.
November
Newly added woodchips are on some small paths in November.
I was never sure if the path in this photo was an actual path before.
It is not raining! Rain has been very constant in the past week or so.
Tags on the tower, and a plethora of ferns growing down the rocks.
It looks like the ground plants are enjoying all the precipitation.
This plant, that was droopy in September and October, looks much more plump now that rain is so constant.
I am more sure it is Greater Periwinkle now.
There are a lot less people in the park now, at least on days like this.. this is giving me the chance to inspect all of the various paths.
I like this section best due to the twisting of the steps around the trees.
The leaves have completely fallen or more likely they were blown off from the recent wind storms.
Garry oaks are beautiful silhouettes.
November also has its sunny days. I'm not sure if it is due to the new duck sighting, the great weather, or some combination of the two that is causing the park to be very busy today.
Instead of a photo of some strangers, here is a photo of the interesting clouds!
The duck was not here today.
Morning dew or moisture from the previous night's rain is still on a lot of the underbrush.
Even when it is a sunny day the moisture does not evaporate, in part due to the shorter days.
As I walked through the park on my last day for this project I thought about how this project has changed how I experience the park.
I am fully engaged now when I go to Summit park. I look forward to seeing or hearing new species of birds, and watching new plants grow, change and die to provide nutrients for the next wave.
I have come to this park for years, but I hadn't seen half of it before this semester. While I know there is still much to explore, I do feel like I have a better understanding of the park.