February 26

A week ago Sunday, my wife, Caroline, my daughter, Allison and I hiked in Griffith Park in downtown Los Angeles. With 4,300 acres of natural chaparral-covered terrain, landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is the largest urban park in the United States. The mid-morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 62 degrees and no wind. From the parking lot, we started a gradual ascent on the Observatory Trail where I spotted the pink blossoms of a Dog Rosebush. The name is attributed to a belief many years ago that its roots could be used to cure the bite of a mad (rabid) dog. As we continued our climb, I paused to look at and listen to a perching California Thrasher. Still climbing toward the Griffith Observatory, I noticed the colorful blossoms of Velvet Leaf and Fuchsia-Flowered Gooseberry. Nearby, I could barely make out a tiny bird called American Bushtit, well camouflaged in the dense underbrush. During a brief pause on our ascent, I gazed far off to the west at the iconic Hollywood sign and far off to the east at the Los Angeles megalopolis, shrouded in hazy smog. We finally made it up to the Observatory where I observed a patch of Spanish Lavender blossoms being pollinated by several honeybees. Starting our descent, I spotted an Acorn Woodpecker pecking away on a conifer tree. These birds form intergenerational groups that spend large amounts of time gathering acorns that typically are stored in holes drilled into a single tree, called a granary tree. One granary tree may have up to 50,000 holes in it, each of which is filled with a single acorn. Further down, I noticed a patch of Western Jimsonweed and a vine called Coast Manroot. Near the bottom, I came upon a Castor Bean plant. The toxin in castor seeds called ricin is estimated to be 12X more poisonous than rattlesnake venom. Finally, we found Allison’s car and headed back to Redondo Beach.

To appreciate forest solitude

You must mingle in a crowd

To treasure nature’s silence

You must hear traffic loud

To value a verdant meadow

You must walk a parking lot

To enjoy a rolling prairie

You must view a garden plot

To feel a freshening breeze

You must sit in a stuffy room

To admire a brilliant sunset

You must face a sky of gloom

D. DeGraaf

February 19

Last Tuesday, Caroline and I hiked in Dominguez Gap Wetlands, 5 miles north of Long Beach, CA. This 30-acre restoration project provides a freshwater green space for wildlife in a highly urbanized landscape. The early morning weather was sunny with a temperature of 60 degrees and a gentle easterly breeze. Leaving the car parked on a nearby residential street, we made our way to the trailhead and hiked south on an earthen path where I spotted a flock of Black-necked Stilts wading in the shallow water of the Los Angeles River. Continuing south along a bayou, I noticed the water was teeming with waterfowl including Widgeons and Blue-wing Teal. Also, we paused to observe a Northern Shoveler drake and hen performing a courtship maneuver. Nearby, I spotted a Great Blue Heron motionless in a dense patch of California Bulrush. Up on the bank, blossoms of Evening Primrose and Purple Sage caught my eye. The red blossoms of a Bottlebrush tree were noticeable as well. Following the trail as it looped back toward the north, I was pleased to see a perching Purple Finch and Allen’s Hummingbird. Also, next to the trail, I observed a flock of tiny, hyperactive Bushtits fluttering through the dense underbrush. The high bank to the west was covered with a blanket of yellow California Sunflowers. While examining an individual flower, I noticed several ants scurrying over the petals. Although difficult to see, my guess is that they are feeding on honeydew produced by a colony of aphids embedded in the flower’s central disc. These ants and aphids have a symbiotic relationship where the aphids produce food for the ants in exchange for protection from predators. Continuing north, I spotted some mud nests of Cliff Swallows under an eaves trough that were occupied by House Sparrows. One final scan of the water revealed a couple of Yellow-bellied Slider Turtles basking in the sun. Finally, we walked a few blocks to the car and headed back to Redondo Beach.

Midst of February

Where’s the snow

Where’s winter

I well do know

So many birds

Flowers bloom

Lilac and sage

Earth’s perfume

Frigid flurries

Or warm sand

Where ever I go

Nature’s at hand

D. DeGraaf

February 12

Last Friday, Caroline and I returned to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, south of Los Angeles to hike in the 51-acre, George F Canyon Nature Center. The early morning weather included a thinning marine layer, a temperature of 58 degrees and a slight ocean breeze. From the parking lot, we followed an earthen trail west along the base of a steep canyon where I spotted a beautiful orange, blossom of climbing Nasturtium. This popular garden plant is native of Peru and can become invasive if grown unchecked in the wild. Next, I was puzzled to hear a strange birdcall that sounded like an injured gull. Later, I found out it came from a wild Peacock, a common pet around here that often escapes from its owners. Continuing west, I paused at a dry creek bed to observe a large blue-green boulder called Catalina Schist. This ancient metamorphic rock forms the geological base of the Los Angeles basin. Just ahead, I looked up a steep bank and noticed a brownish, Robin-sized bird, called a California Towhee foraging on the ground. Still heading west, the breeze picked up and began blowing through a Brazilian pepper tree. Also, I stopped for a while to observe a couple of Red-Tailed Hawks souring high above the canyon. Much to my surprise, they both flew over to a tall tree and perched long enough for me to take a photo. After about a mile, the trail ended. Shortly after turning around to retrace our steps, I spotted a small patch of poison oak. While this plant is a serious health hazard around here, it is not back in mid Michigan. Continuing east, I came across a strange looking parasitic vine called California Dodder. While the vine does penetrate the host plant and extract nutrients, it usually does not kill it. Also, I paused to listen to a California Scrub Jay call from the dense brush nearby. Even though I didn’t see it, I was able to find a photo of one. Just prior to the end of our hike, we stepped aside to let a few horses pass by. Finally, we made it to the car and headed back to our winter rental in Redondo Beach.

Curious eyes wide open to see

Mother Nature here with me

Different flower, different tree

New kinds of birds flying free

Look around on land and sea

Unknown trails, hiking spree

Stoop down on bended knee

Strange lizard, stranger bee

Coastal treasures, found a key

Discovering more is my plea

D. DeGraaf

February 5

Last Thursday, Caroline and I returned to the Palos Verdes Peninsula to hike in the 84-acre, Vicente Bluffs Reserve, one of many properties within the Peninsula Land Conservancy. The early afternoon weather was sunny with a temperature of 68 degrees, a mild ocean breeze and dense fog. Leaving the parking lot, we followed an earthen trail north along the bluff where on our left was the seashore, shrouded in a marine layer of fog while on our right was a typical coastal sage scrub landscape. Continuing north, I paused to look down through the haze and listen to the surf while up ahead I could clearly see the top of the dense marine layer as it was shrinking below the bluff, exposing the houses and vegetation on top. Just ahead, I caught a glimpse of a Black Phoebe, perched on top of an evergreen shrub. Still heading north as the fog continued to burn off, I could now see a section of the cliff covered with large swaths of Bluff Buckwheat growing on the windward face, keeping the soil from sliding down. After turning around to retrace our steps, I paused to read one of the trail signs that further described the highlights of this unique natural area. Next, I paused to have a stare down with a resident creature called a Pocket Gopher. This Red Squirrel-size mammal spends most of its life in underground tunnels feeding on plants, starting from the roots. The name “pocket” refers to its large cheek pouches that extend from the side of the mouth back to the shoulders. Also, note the large, amber-colored incisor teeth that continuously grow to accommodate the constant wear and tear from chewing on hard, gritty vegetation. Continuing south, I spotted the colorful blossoms of California Lilac on one of several bushes that had been recently pruned as part of a restoration effort. Approaching the parking area, I paused to observe a Carpenter Bee pollinating a Sage blossom. Finally, we found the car and headed back to Redondo Beach.

Nature my guide

Ocean my host

Marine layer

Blankets the coast

Breaking waves

Rumble and roar

Pounding surf

Hammering shore

Enter the sun

Exit the haze

Majestic cliffs

Sight to amaze

D. DeGraaf