Christman 1959 8 March Pinnacles National Monument, San Benito Co., cal. always in view. Also saw one Prairie Falcon briefly - few dickay birds - one or two jays & crowens. Violet-Green Swallows at the small lake. From Hallister on in: from sandy few buckeyes; much wild tobacco-stegum a number of very large valley oaks. A few fences of the 'redwood-Maines' style (photo) but not redwood - any sheep fences - ? The admixture of coastal elements - very little Baschais, anywhere, with Chamise - now seems strange to me - this area is entirely different from areas further S. A great difference in species composition between the various slope exposures is evident. This area has some rich stands of chaparral - a little Carcalinia reticulata on the low elevation oaks. An area for comparative study lies to the north west of the monument within the chalone drainage and further W & N where the veg. varies greatly in degree of openness. Fire history would be important. There are access roads via Saledad. I was particularly interested in the trees about ranch houses - particularly the Alderanes - with Cypress, nearer ones with Eucalyptus.