Another reason to appreciate my new place: it's a short walk to this spot, one of the Campbell entrances to the Los Gatos Creek Trail, which follows (surprise!) Los Gatos Creek from Lexington Reservoir to San Jose. Wide paths along both banks in this section make a great 2-mile loop for just about anyone on feet, paws or wheels.
~click any photo to enlarge~
Today it really felt like spring on the trail, after a rainy and chilly week. Loved the remains of these wild almond blossoms...the petals were white, these are just the stamens!
Still my favorite red berries, Toyon
(Heteromeles arbutifolia) has been looking great since December.
More almond blossoms...
Doesn't this just shriek spring?
Huge native Sycamores
(Platanus racemosa) on the banks are just starting to put out their leaves, which will be the size of dinner plates by summer.
Thick stands of Fennel
(Foenicululm vulgare) are sprouting amongst last year's stalks, and will soon be waving their licorice-scented fronds high overhead.
More Sycamore leaves...
Sycamore leaves and fruit...
Willow catkins!
A lone cattail, about to implode...
Fresh new leaves on the Willows...
I love this stage of Redbud
(Cercis occidentalis) bloom, when the tiny heart-shaped leaves start to emerge as well...
Some of the bushes (perhaps the really happy ones?) have flowers along every twig.
Vigorous tufts of pleated leaves launch this year's Buckeyes
(Aesculus californica).
The new growth on the live oaks looks like flowers. See how these things can grow several feet in a season?
Lots of water in the creek, and our loop is complete! I think this will serve as a good surrogate garden for me. (Next month...poppies!)
