As expected, things are slowly picking up in the park. There is new growth everywhere and it is not even spring yet! Thanks to gentle rains and a moderate climate, plants are already pushing their way up through the ash from our recent fire. Park staff is hoping this growth continues to help secure the ground before harder rains arrive. There is also evidence that burrowing animals are returning.Scroll down to view more photos all taken during the second week of December 2003.

The ghost of a fallen oak tree. Ash is all that remains of this tree whose purpose now is to fertilize new growth.

Wendy Slijk 

Young Lupine catching water droplets.

Wendy Slijk 

Laurel Sumac pushing up through the ashes.

Wendy Slijk 

This distressed barrel cactus is sending out new growth.

Wendy Slijk 

Do oak trees bleed? One would think after viewing this sap extruded by a distressed surviving oak. It is believed this sap is part of a self healing mechanism.

Wendy Slijk 

Oak “blood” caught by a fallen leaf.

Clark Rasmussen 

Fresh gopher hole.

Dorothy Leonard 

The re-greening of the grasslands area of the park.