Coyote Ridge and Wildflowers

I think of Santa Clara County as mostly urban/suburban. After all, it’s home to one of the 10 largest cities in the country (San Jose) and one of the world’s largest and most vibrant economies (the Silicon Valley). However, it’s also a place of amazing beauty and unexpected wilderness areas

As part of my continuing birthday celebration, yesterday I went on an organized hike to Coyote Ridge, operated by the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy. Coyote Ridge is hardly untouched wilderness; it’s adjacent to a garbage dump and the 101 freeway, and it’s been thoroughly invaded by exogenous plants and animals. Even so, just 20 miles from downtown San Jose, it provides habitat for all kinds of fauna, including badgers, coyote. elk and eagles, and many rare flowers that grow in its serpentine soil.

Fortunately for me, today the wildflowers were at their peak. It’s hard to capture the beauty of California ablaze with wildflowers, but take a look at these Flickr photos nonetheless. As you will see, I love California poppies!