Anderson Marshs State Historic Park - Lower Lake, CA - California State Parks

The Park at this time of year is beautiful.  The colors of autumn at the Park are wonderful shades of cream, yellow, brown and green – interspersed with the startling color of small yellow sunflowers, periwinkle chicory, white ground “morning glories” or the fluffy white airiness of California Milkweed seeds and many California Wild Rose “hips” – most are still a lovely red and a very attractive food for many birds and mammals.   Most of the blackberries are drying and shriveling up but they are still interesting to birds and wildlife.  The wild grapes that grow are ripening, and bunches are hanging from vines in trees.  Mistletoe berries are ripening too.  The fall bird migration is underway.  Birds that we may see include a belted kingfisher looking for breakfast in the creek, acorn woodpeckers getting ready to store acorns in their “granary” trees, the first cedar waxwings arriving to dine on berries and grapes and perhaps a pair or two of phainopepla. (Love that name! These are usually birds of arid-mesquite land, but are found in this Park because of the abundance of mistletoe berries).  Also on hand may be red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk and white-tailed kite.  Often seen in Cache Creek are great egret, great blue heron and black-crowned night heron. Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.