Little apples and the mountain

This shrub is a manzanita, a very interesting plant that lives in dry coastal scrub communities. The name means "little apple" in Spanish; you can see the little fruits towards the upper right hand area. The Miwok and Ohlone people make a cider from them; it is quite yummy. The leaves are tough to hold onto water during our summer droughts. Notice that they grow at a right angle to the sun. THis means that their whole surface does not get direct sunlight, and, again, lose less water.

We will actually be gone for an extended time starting next THursday. We will be in Central America for about 5 weeks, then visiting friends and family in Pennsylvania. I will try to occasionally post and comment, more when we get back. Have a great summer.