You’ve Got a lot of Gall Walk – June 2013

Saturday’s Gall Walk was full of new discoveries.  As all the hikers ventured out into The Conservancy they noticed the amazing changes that summer always brings to the land.  Plants like the black sage had dropped its leaves, grasses were golden and the air was heating up.  We found some coolness in the shade of the oaks and sycamores as we discovered many interesting plant galls along the way.  There were many different sizes, colors and shapes of oak galls on the Coast Live and Engelmann Oaks.  Coyote Brush had stem and leaf galls.  Some of most interesting and unique galls were on the White Sage.  It looked like little villages were popping up all over the leaves!  We were lucky to find non-gall surprises as well – like trap door spider burrows dug up (maybe by a skunk?) with the hinged door attached.  The kids had fun opening the door and wondering how a spider could create such a functional home.   Seasonal changes make The Reserve an exciting year-round destination – come join in the fun!