January 10

Tuesday, Remi, my wife and I returned to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, south of Los Angles to hike the Bluff Cove trail. The early morning weather was overcast with a temperature of 54 degrees and a moderate breeze from the Pacific Ocean. Shortly after leaving the car, we followed a muddy trail north as it descended gradually along the bluff where I gazed down on the rocky shore and spotted some perching, adult Double-crested Cormorants along with a few lighter-colored juveniles. The population of this fish-eating species has grown rapidly in the past 20 years, invading the Great Lakes and consuming lots of their game fish. Also, I noticed a solitary California Gull on nearby rocks. Continuing our descent, I spotted the yellow blossoms of a Bladderpod Bush with its pungent smelling leaves. After flowering, this bush will produce bladder-like fruit resembling paper lanterns. As the path continued down toward Bluff Cove, I looked up at the eroded bluff wall that revealed a distinct interface between two different rock formations. Approaching sea level, I paused to look at and listen to waves crashing onto the rocky shore. Turning around, we began our ascent where I could barely make out a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a rock ledge high above us. Continuing our ascent, I took notice of a small-scale rockslide on the path facilitated by heavy winter rains. Next, we returned to the top of the bluff and paused to scan the scenic shoreline to the north. Finally, we returned to the car and headed back to Redondo Beach.

Filling the senses

More than enough

Shorebirds and surf

Sounds from the bluff

Rocks are resistant

Waves are rough

Battle wages

Scenes from the bluff

Land versus sea

Competition tough

Forces of nature

Thoughts from the bluff

D. DeGraaf