Wildflowers bloom early at Black Diamond Mines
One of the East Bay Regional Park District's best venues for wildflowers is Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. And although it may seem a bit soon in the year to be talking about wildflowers, several varieties are early bloomers.
At this time of year, manzanita puts out its small, delicate white or pink blossoms at Black Diamond Mines and other open space throughout the East Bay. And under the manzanita, you will often find Indian warrior, a magenta-colored flower that looks a bit like the pompom on a band uniform cap.
Indian warrior is an interesting plant. It is semiparasitic — it relies on the roots of manzanita and other shrubs to provide supplemental nutrients, although it can also flourish independently. To see both Indian warrior and manzanita in bloom at Black Diamond Mines, climb up the Chaparral Loop Trail to the Ridge Trail and turn left toward the ridge top.
Besides Black Diamond Mines, another great place to see both manzanita and Indian warrior is the aptly named Manzanita Loop trail at Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve in El Sobrante. Sobrante Ridge and Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in Oakland are home to the rare and endangered Alameda or pallid manzanita.
Naturalist Kevin Dixon will lead an “Early Bloomers” hike from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Black Diamond Mines. The hike is for ages 8 and older; parent participation is required. The path may be steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes.
This is a free, drop-in program; registration is not necessary. Meet Dixon in the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4 in Antioch and about a mile past Black Diamond Mines' entrance kiosk. There's a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended. For information, call 510-5442768.
OAKLEY >> Drop by Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley for a Deltathemed story time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday with naturalist Miriam Klingler. Bring a blanket and a snack. This is a free program and registration is not required. It's for all ages; parents must accompany children.
Or you can become a volunteer community scientist by joining in a project tracking the health of the delta by testing Big Break water samples. Testing is from 9 to 10 a.m. every Sunday morning. No registration is necessary; parent participation is required. Staff is on hand to help out.
Meet at the visitor center for either program. Big Break Regional Shoreline is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley's Main Street. For information, call 510-5443050.
MARTINEZ >> Many water birds spend the winter on East Bay shorelines. You can see some of them during an easy walk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 19 at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez with naturalist Jessica Kauzer.
It's free and no registration is necessary. Meet Kauzer in the first parking lot off North Court Street, across the railroad tracks from downtown Martinez. Bring binoculars if you have them; a few will be available for loan. For information, call the Black Diamond Mines visitor center at 510-544-2750. OAKLAND >> Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland will be the venue of a naturalist-led “Hikes for Tykes” activity from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Feb. 21.
This is an easy half-mile walk for parents and their small children at Arrowhead Marsh to see squirrels and watch for shorebirds. Bring a snack. Tools for exploration will be provided. Rain cancels the program.
No registration is needed. Meet at Arrowhead Marsh, whose entrance road is on Swan Way off Doolittle Drive near the Oakland airport. For information, call 510544-3187.
FREMONT >> Vintage technology will be put to work during a rope making and hay hoisting program from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at Ardenwood Historic
Farm in Fremont.
Find out how rope is made from natural fibers, using a machine that is more than 100 years old. Then work as a team to lift and swing a 75-pound bale of hay into the Ardenwood barn.
Programs at Ardenwood recreate life on a 19th century farming estate. The farm is located at 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., just north of Highway 84. Admission fees apply; parking is free. For information, call 510-544-2797.
These are just some of the many programs scheduled in coming days in the East Bay Regional Parks. For a complete list, go to ebparks. org/things-to-do.