December 16

Wednesday, Remi, my wife and I hiked at the White Point Nature Preserve located 30 miles south of Los Angeles near San Pedro, California on 102 acres of restored coastal sage scrub habitat overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. The mid-morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 58 degrees and a gentle ocean breeze from the west. Exiting the car, we followed a trail onto this Palos Verdes Land Conservancy property that still appears to be in the early stages of restoration. Since this habitat is characterized by low, aromatic, drought-deciduous shrub land, it was not surprising to find both Black Sage and White Sage. Further along, I spotted some colorful blossoms including the state flower, California poppy, Baja Fairy Duster and Bladderpod. Next, I paused to watch a honeybee feeding on a Bush Sunflower. After stopping by the nature center, I headed toward the car where I observed a Yarrow plant that is also a familiar site in summer at Forest Hill Nature Area. Before returning to the car, I crossed the road and noticed a few lavender blossoms of a ground-cover plant called, Blue Chalk Fingers. Next, I paused at an overlook to take in the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean including Catalina Island against the western horizon. Finally, we found the car and headed back to Redondo Beach.

December month

Halfway through

Edge of autumn

Ocean blue

Hail to Neptune

God of the sea

Vista so vast

Water so free

From rolling surf

To gulls above

Mother of nature

This place I love

D. DeGraaf