Читать книгу Hiking & Backpacking Big Sur. Your complete guide to the trails of Big Sur, Ventana Wilderness, and Silver Peak Wilderness онлайн

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Though grasses are the dominant species, forbs and herbs also thrive here, weaving colorful tapestries along the open slopes of the Coast Range. Among the most recognized are the blue, purple, and orange hues of sky lupines (Lupinus nanus) and California poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Other fragile, ornate flowers include the padres shooting star (Dodecatheon clevelandii), California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus), Johnny-jump-up (Viola pedunculata), and blue dicks (Dichelostemma pulchella).

Seasonal changes are most dramatic within the grassland ecosystem, where vibrant new growth carpets the landscape.

Many animals forage and hunt in the grasslands, though few find safe refuge to nest and breed. Common species include:

MAMMALS Coyote, mule deer, bobcat, gray fox, pocket gopher, California ground squirrel, and long-tail weasel.

BIRDS Western meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, savannah sparrow, lark sparrow, burrowing owl, horned lark, white-tailed kite, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, American kestrel, golden eagle, barn owl, great horned owl, California quail, mourning dove, swallows, swifts, and finches.