Everlasting Pea / Velvet Grass (Abbotts Lagoon)

Everlasting Pea - Point Reyes  2026

Velvet Grass - Point Reyes  2026

So, "Everlasting Pea?" Mike has always identified this plant as vetch. But it's not vetch.

"Unlike the related annual sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, with which it may be confused, it has no scent. While grown as a garden plant it may be pervasive and difficult to remove. Because of this, this species is often considered to be a weed despite its attractive appearance."

Velvet Grass is an invasive species, no question.

"In North America, Holcus lanatus is an invasive species in native grasslands and other ecosystems. In Yosemite National Park it is one of nine priority noxious weeds to control for habitat restoration and regenerating native plant balances. It forms dense stands that can exclude other plants."

Monday River Otter Blogging

River Otter - Point Reyes  2026

River Otter - Point Reyes  2026

Seen first while swimming underneath the trail bridge between the upper and lower lagoons. Then he - or she - got up on land, thought for a while, then went back into the water.

Lupin, Lagoon (Abbotts Lagoon)

Lupin, Lagoon - Point Reyes  2026

Photo taken using the wide-angle option on an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Yes, Mike's spelling of "lupin" (vs "lupine") is idiosyncratic. Although to be honest, Wikipedia shows "lupin" as one of the options:

"Lupinus, commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet, is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae."

Driftwood / Ocean (Abbotts Lagoon)

Driftwood - Point Reyes  2026

Ocean - Point Reyes  2026

There's no established trail to the ocean, just walk through the dunes towards the sound of the waves.

Lupin, Fence / Trail (Abbotts Lagoon)

Lupin, Fence - Point Reyes  2026

Trail - Point Reyes  2026

Top: view from the trailhead parking lot.

Next: Abbotts Lagoon trail. Overgrown in some spots . . . my pants got soaked walking through wet grass.

Hills, Clouds / Lagoons, Bridge, Ocean (Abbotts Lagoon)

Hills, Clouds - Point Reyes  2026

Lagoons, Bridge, Ocean - Point Reyes  2026

Changeable weather that day . . . warm sun giving way to foggy mist. At times I wished I had brought a parka.

Top photo taken with a Nikon Z7II. Bottom one with an Olympus E-M1II using a 75-300mm zoom lens.

The bottom photo show both upper and lower lagoons as well as the bridge over them.

Ranch Buildings, Lagoon, Mist (Abbotts Lagoon)

Lagoon, Ranch Buildings - Point Reyes  2026

Hemlock, Lagoon, Mist - Point Reyes  2026

Photos taken during a June hike. I was using a Nikon Z7II with a 24-200mm zoom lens.

Hemlock, Lupin / Hills (Abbotts Lagoon)

Hemlock, Lupin - Point Reyes  2026

Fence, Hills, Lupin - Point Reyes  2026

Hiking out to the ocean on the Abbotts Lagoon trail.

Monday Caspian Tern Blogging

Caspian Terns - Point Reyes  2026

Caspian Terns - Point Reyes  2026

"The regal Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world, easily recognized by its brilliant red fish-knife of a bill and deep, raspy call. Found all over the world, the Caspian favors both freshwater and saltwater environments. It feeds mostly on fish, captured in nimble aerial dives."

I didn't see them diving for fish, but I was able to see them swooping around the Abbotts Lagoon area.

Caspian Terns - Point Reyes  2026

Cattails, Barn

Cattails, Barn - Point Reyes  2026

The barn has been on the blog before . . . I regularly stop for photos here before driving on to my day's hike.

Photo taken with a Nikon Z7II.

Moon, Airplane

Moon, Airplane - Marin County  2026

Interesting. Taken with a Nikon Z7II with a 24-200mm lens.

Signs

Keep Cash Alive - Marin County  2026

Enough - Marin County  2026

Enigmatic.

Berkeley Sightems

Trucks, Clouds - Berkeley 2026

Elegant Kingdom - Berkeley  2026

Photos taken while April fabric shopping in Berkeley.

Windsor

Oliver's Fruit Basket Cake (Windsor) - Sonoma County  2026

Machado Burgers Burger (Windsor) - Sonoma County  2026

After arriving on the train we disembarked and walked around the town of Windsor. We hadn't been here in a while, so most of what we saw was new to us. Highlights: Oliver's, a fancy grocery store, and Machado Burgers where we got burgers with a combo fries and onion rings.

Then the return trip home.