Ecology
Elevations in Austin Creek SRA range from 150 to 1,500 feet (46 to 460 m), giving rise to a variety of habitats, including riparian area, chaparral, and woodlands of conifers and oaks. The area's 5,927 acres (2,399 ha) include open woodlands, rolling hills, and meadows which contrast sharply with dense redwood forests below.
Wildflowers of the area include Douglas Irises, Indian Paintbrushes, buttercups, lupins, brodiaes, California poppies and Shooting Stars. Trout, salmon, newts and salamanders inhabit the area's streams, and Bullfrog Pond hosts sunfish, Black Bass, and bullfrogs. Birds such as Wild Turkeys, Wood Ducks, Spotted Owls, great blue herons, ravens, Black-shouldered Kites, California Quail, woodpeckers, hawks, and tyrant-flycatchers are seen there. Native animals include squirrels, deer, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks, bobcats, Black Bears, and Mountain Lions. Feral pigs have also been reported.
Read more about this topic: Austin Creek State Recreation Area
Famous quotes containing the word ecology:
“... the fundamental principles of ecology govern our lives wherever we live, and ... we must wake up to this fact or be lost.”
—Karin Sheldon (b. c. 1945)