New leaves and catkins of Coast Live Oak
Here are handsome new leaves and catkins on a tree of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae). It's interesting that as the new buds expand, sometimes they are mostly leaves like these, sometimes they are mostly catkins, and sometimes they are an even mix. I don't understand how this works. The new leaves are soft and vulnerable at this early stage - see this photo and this photo for a common predator that I've been looking out for. (San Marcos Pass, 10 March 2020)
New leaves and catkins of Coast Live Oak
Here are handsome new leaves and catkins on a tree of Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia, Fagaceae). It's interesting that as the new buds expand, sometimes they are mostly leaves like these, sometimes they are mostly catkins, and sometimes they are an even mix. I don't understand how this works. The new leaves are soft and vulnerable at this early stage - see this photo and this photo for a common predator that I've been looking out for. (San Marcos Pass, 10 March 2020)