Purple Needle Grass: Nassella pulchra

Nassella pulchra is a perennial bunch grass producing tufts of erect, unbranched stems up to 3 feet  tall. The extensive root system can reach 20 feet deep into the soil, making the grass more tolerant of drought.
California designated purple needlegrass as the official state grass in 2004. 

Picture from: http://clminternship.org/blog/?attachment_id=16295

California Condors in central California

 http://www.condorspotter.com/
This tool will help you identify California Condors you see in central California.

Currently, around 60 California condors are free-flying in the central California region. All have colored and numbered tags that allow biologists to track and monitor them in the wild.

Ventana Wildlife Society began condor releases in Big Sur in 1997 and in 2003 initiated a second release site at Pinnacles National Monument in collaboration with the National Parks Service (NPS).