The coast redwood is the tallest tree on Earth, the fastest-growing conifer and can live more than 2,000 years. A stand of redwoods, like the one at the La Salle entrance, can create its own rain by collecting fog. The redwood ecosystem supports a unique mix of mammals, birds, and plants including salamanders, owls and ferns.

One of the largest owls, these birds are so well camouflaged that they’re rarely seen, but their “hoot” calls can often be heard echoing up and down the trail after dark. Generally nocturnal, their large yellow eyes can pinpoint prey in extremely low light. They can also hear sounds as far away as 10 miles.

“Lesser” refers to its size — not its value or importance — and this species is the smallest of the American goldfinches. Breeding males carry flashy yellow plumage and sing a medley of trills, wheezes and stutters to attract mates. Finches are among the dozens of native and migrating bird species to see and hear on the trail.

As they pop up out of the soil and leaf litter during the rainy season, these mushrooms resemble rabbit’s paws. Once it unfurls, the fungus is delicate and short-lived, lasting only a few hours before dissolving into a black inky liquid — a process called deliquescence.

Often toxic to us (best to not touch it), the cow parsnip is an important food source for deer, birds and small mammals and a habitat for larval butterflies and bees. Though a member of the carrot family, cow parsnips like those along the trail can produce 16” leaves and grow to a height of 10 feet.

Luckily we have native milkweed plants growing along the trail, which are key to the butterfly’s survival. Milkweed is poisonous to almost every animal. But monarchs have evolved an ability to tolerate the poison. The caterpillars munching on the leaves actually store it in their bodies so that, even through metamorphosis, adult butterflies keep their toxicity to predators. The areas around milkweed plants need protection as a caterpillar can venture up to 30 feet away to form its chrysalis.

The distinctive markings of an adult red shouldered hawk include a banded rufous chest, a reddish shoulder and neck area and a pronounced checkerboard/barred pattern on the wings and tail. A juvenile looks very different. The chest area is mostly white with a banding pattern that runs in the opposite direction from an adult’s. Like most raptors, females are larger than the males. Frequently seen along the trail, and high above it, is a red shoulder hawk that nests here year after year.

Native to this area and found throughout the trail, these oaks support biodiversity by providing shelter, nesting opportunities and food. Dozens of mammal and bird species rely on their fat- and protein-rich acorns. The shape of their leaves capture dew and mist, helping the trees survive through droughts. Though the coast live oak always maintains some leaves, those it sheds create habitats for insects, amphibians and soil microorganisms. One species of moth would vanish entirely without the oak’s leaves.