On the 19th April 2025, my parents and I went for a day trip to Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA and Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA. I went to Mt. Diablo to see flowers. While there weren't too many flowers blooming, I did see some. We dropped by Old Borges Ranch on before heading home, and I saw a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae). I took photos with my cellphone. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!
Message from the Photographer: I went on a few day trips during this previous long weekend (Easter Weekend). My energy has been much less affected recently, however I think Long COVID has shifted into attacking something else. Recently, my brain has been having some issues with forming speech, along with some other weirdness.
Our first destination (our main destination) is Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA. We drove up to the peak via South Gate Road.
A photo of flowers, trees, and mountains. The photo was shot on South Gate Road in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
The flower species in this photo include: Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus).
A photo of flowers, cars (right), Mt. Diablo Peak (top right), South Gate Road (right), trees, and mountains. The photo was shot in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
The flower species in this photo include: Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus).
A photo of flowers, pinecones, South Gate Road (left), trees, and mountains. The photo was shot in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
The flower species in this photo include: Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus) & Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus).
A photo of flowers, trees, mountains, South Gate Road (right), and Mt. Diablo Peak (behind the trees). The photo was shot in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
The flower species in this photo include: Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus) & Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus).
A photo of flowers, trees, South Gate Road, mountains, cars (right), Mt. Diablo Peak (top right). The photo was shot in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
The flower species in this photo include: Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus).
It was very smoggy that day so the view from the peak wasn't all that good. I didn't end up taking photos at the peak. We exited the park via North Gate Road in hopes of finding more flowers than we did on South Gate Road.
A scenery of a hill, flowers, trees (top left), and rocks (top right). The photo was shot on North Gate Road in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
The flower species in this photo include: Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus), California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica), Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus).
A photo of California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and rocks. The photo was shot on North Gate Road in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
A photo of California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and rocks. The photo was shot on North Gate Road in Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, CA.
Flower species also in this photo: Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) (top left).
Before we went home, we dropped by Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA to see the farm animals. I saw a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae).
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
A photo of a Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek, CA.
This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.
