2/5/09

In which I continue to roam...

I kept going yesterday after I found the camas.

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If you ever want a book for off-the-beaten-track tourism in San Francisco, Stairway Walks in San Francisco is the book for you. I used it yesterday and it took me to places in my neighborhood that I've never seen before.

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This jubata grass (Cortadereia jubata) is a real nuisance.

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What's wrong with this picture?

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Arctotis

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145 Faith is for sale. (Warning: New Age music at the link.)

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Does pink knotweed (Persicaria capitata) colonize cracks in the sidewalk where you are too?

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I was happy to almost get this picture of five shrubs blooming today at the same time: Tecomaria capensis (red), Ceanothus sp. (blue), Salvia leucantha (purple), Euryops pectinatus (yellow), Rosmarinus officinalis (bleached out, up front):

Five blooms

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Tecomaria capensis

Sunflowers!

Helianthus annuus

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I walked right by the Cala lily and then decided to take a picture. "It's not a weed everywhere", I thought.

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That big shrub up there is one abutilon, having spread over many years.

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It's full of noisy birds!



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In this picture, I was trying to get the red-flowering Leptospermum scoparium in front of the red Liquidambar styraciflua, but the very white sky spoiled the effect:

Leptospermum and Liquidambar

giant aeonium

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I like buildings with names. Isn't a corroboree like an alibi?

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Sigh. More stairs.

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20 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, awesome photos, although it's a good thing I'm not on dialup. The red daisies in the fifth photo made me smile; I love Venidium but find it very underused here (they're only annual here, of course.) It was fun roaming your neighbourhood with you, a perfect feast for my winter-weary eyes.

Unknown said...

This is just a wonderful tour and the photography is amazing!

Les said...

I have always known that faith could be sold, but I was not prepared for the price.

chuck b. said...

"I love Venidium..."

Actually, I believe that was Arctotis, which is similar. Alas, Venidium is underused here too!

Thanks, Darla.

Yes, Les, noone really knows what actual prices are right now during this distressed period.

Michelle said...

What a great walk, and you know that all those stairs are sooo good for you! Better remember which side the knob should be on when you've had a few too many LOL! And I love the terraced veggie garden. And the Angels Trumpet and Aeonium (a couple of my favorites). Is it the fog that makes all the bright colors work on houses in SF? Thanks for another wonderful trek through The City!

Anonymous said...

SF is so exotic looking, esp at this time of year.

Delphine said...

I have looked everywhere on the ground, no Persicaria capitata found in Paris, commandant !

Christopher C. NC said...

"What is wrong with this picture?"

The rain gutters really messed up the look of that house. The other odd house was one with what appeared to be an actual front yard, the one looking through the white gate.

Anonymous said...

Hi Chuck, I don't know how hard these types of posts are for you to put together, but I can't get enough of walking around Bernal Heights with you. Don't stop please. I would think climbing all those steps has you in some great physical condition too. A real specimen. :-)
Frances

Bonnie Story said...

Wow, another awesome memory journey for me. Your pictures are fantastic! I scrolled through several times. The Princess Flower and Ceanothus are just heartstring-pluckers for me. I don't miss the Acacia though, aaah-choooo! Thank you so much for the fantastic post. Bet you have some firm calves from the stair climbing :~} Bonnie

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Great photos. I'll have to remember that book. Great for sight seeing and exercise!

chuck b. said...

Christopher, are you really saying the rain gutter is messing up that picture? You're kidding, right?

Christopher C. NC said...

Chuck, surely you don't think the extra door is a problem? That's just a decorative touch. I can live with that. The rain gutters bug me more. Maybe if they had painted them brown.

lisa said...

The rain gutter is distressing, but I want real windows! Ick. But the tour was hella fun regardless, if only I could get in shape vicariously through your walks. *sigh* BTW, considering usual prices of real estate out there, I doubt that even the building next to that hot rod is in MY price range! :)

Jon said...

Chuck,
Thanks for the cool and beautifully "illustrated" tour. You must have gotten worn out from all that stair climbing but thanks for taking your camera along and sharing your shots and observations with your readers.

Jon at Mississippi Garden

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Oh what a fun tour today(-: I loved it!!! Thanks for walking all those stairs/hills for us(-: Is that wild lilac blooming? I love that color!!!! I need one in my yard too(-: Have a great weekend!!!

Town Mouse said...

Wow, do you really already have ceanothus blooming? That's pretty freaky... Nice trip, though '=>

tangobaby said...

You've inspired me... I have that book and have YET to use it. It's always on my "I'll Get to that Later" list.

Thanks for the tour and the incentive. Great photos.

Anonymous said...

I have done this walk too, though in a dry period. The park is also nice on top, and the hills really are steep. The folks in Bernal Heights are lucky to live there.

By contrast, I live in the Oakland Hills with trees and flowers. Not to mention the visitors including skunks, raccoons, deer and even some turkeys!

Cheers,
Debby
Today in Montclair, 94611

Anonymous said...

corroboree
Noun
Austral
1. an Aboriginal gathering or dance of festive or warlike character
2. Informal any noisy gathering [Aboriginal]

love your pics

Carole

NSW Australia