Open Space
Plants That Don’t use Photosynthesis in the Bay Area
Some Bay Area plants survive without photosynthesis, relying on host roots or fungi for nutrients—including rare albino redwoods and striped coralroot.
Birds in Flight: Great Egret Versus American White Pelican
Learn how to tell the difference between a great egret and an American white pelican in flight by examining their size, beaks, wings, and flight patterns.
Identifying Poison Oak Through the Seasons: A Hiker’s Guide
Learn how poison oak changes seasonally, and distinguish it from Himalayan blackberry to hike safely year-round.
How to Tell Scrub Jays from Steller’s Jays
Scrub jays or Steller’s jays? Learn how to identify these birds along Silicon Valley’s trails by sight, habitat, and calls.
Black and White Birds in Silicon Valley
Here are some common birds with black and white plumage found in the Silicon Valley area.
Western Gray: Silicon Valley’s Native Tree Squirrel
The western gray squirrel is the San Francisco Bay Area's only native tree squirrel.
Cooperative Feeding Among Birds Along the SF Bay Trail
Learn about cooperative feeding among shorebirds along the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Watching Raptors at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Spot raptors like hawks and kestrels while exploring the trails, marshlands, and hills of Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.
Birds with Curved Bills in Silicon Valley
Curved-bill birds in Silicon Valley include the California thrasher, long-billed curlew, and American avocet.
