Tag Archives: Peter Baye

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Peter Baye was at Manchester State Park when he saw this plant, Dodder, Cuscuta.

Dodder, a parasitic plant, growing on Gumplant by Peter Baye

Dodder is the orange and beige string-like plant. It is parasitic and it has attached itself to a Gumplant, the green leaves in the photo. In the next photo you can see the little pegs on its bright-orange leafless thread-like stems. Peter tells me it inserts these into its host's leaves to obtain water and nutrients.

A stem of Dodder inserting itself into Gumplant by Peter Baye

It's blooming very early this year. Dodder has vanilla-scented flowers and is in the morning glory family.

Peter also found a half-parasite plant, a rare dune variety of Purple Owl's clover, Castilleja exerta subsp. latifolia.

Rare dune variety of Purple Owl's-clover, Castilleja exserta latifolia, by Peter Baye

Peter says it taps into dune sage's roots. There was obviously enough rain in early winter for it to grow.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Peter Baye and Will Ericson were exploring the newly exposed river bed of the Gualala River when they spotted a juvenile Western Pond Turtle.

A juvenile Western Pond Turtle by Peter Baye Western Pond turtle in Gualala River by Peter Baye

This is the first juvenile that Peter has seen in quite some time, good news as these turtle are on the endangered species list.

Western Pond Turtles favor a habitat with boulders and logs where they can sun themselves. They are very wary of people. Peter tells me he is usually made aware of one of these turtles' presence by hearing the sound of the turtle disappearing into the water. This little guy must have wondered what happened to the water. It was walking across the newly exposed stream bed when Peter and Will noticed it.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here. May there be many more juvenile Pond Turtles in the Gualala River!

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Peter Baye has several large tubs that he uses for a wetland nursery. Sierran Treefrogs moved right in.  During the wild storms several weeks ago, the males became agitated and started vocalizing, sending out their mating call.

Sierran Treefrogs vocalizing by Peter Baye

You can see the males' vocal sacs are fully extended.

Sierran Treefrogs mating calls by Peter Baye

The next morning there were eggs at the bottom of these tubs. Love was definitely in the air!

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with  you here.

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Peter Baye found this wildflower growing near a tributary of the Gualala River. It's never been documented to be growing in our area, so it's rare here but not in other locations.

Close-up of Wild Clematis by Peter Baye Wild Clematis, Clematis ligusticifolia, by Peter Baye

It's scientific name is Clematis ligusticifolia. Peter found it climbing ten feet high in willow trees, blooming brightly in sun and shade.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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It is rare to see a Western Pond Turtle. They are very shy and usually found near or in a river. Peter Baye came across one crossing a road on a very warm day.

Western Pond Turtle crossing the road by Peter Baye

Peter was concerned that the turtle would get harmed by a passing car. He picked it up, planning to take it to the riverbank...and the turtle peed, probably in fright.

Western Pond turtle peeing by Peter Baye

Peter returned the turtle to one of the forks of the Gualala River. This is what it looks like in its usual habit, photo also taken by Peter.

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Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here.