February 25

After an intense week of entertaining relatives and traveling congested highways, Caroline and I find respite in Hopkins Wilderness Park, a natural oasis in the heart of Redondo Beach. On a sunny, cool afternoon we follow an earthen trail to the edge of a small pond where we spot some basking Red-eared Sliders and swimming Koi. These hybrid carp are a symbol of luck, prosperity and good fortune in Japanese culture. Proceeding on a perimeter path around this 11-acre preserve, patches of Wood Sorrel brighten the winter landscape. Other colorful blossoms of note include: Wild Radish and Sow Thistle. As the trail turns and leads me along a steep bluff, I pause to look beyond the sprawling urban landscape to the snowcapped peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains, 30 miles to the east. Also, I think about how for thousands of years this land was used as a lookout by Native Americans, then as a Minuteman missile site during the 50’s and 60’s, before the city secured it as a nature park in 1977. Further ahead, while glancing up at one of several Ponderosa Pine trees, I not only observe several egg-shaped cones but also a fist-size gall caused by a rust fungus. Continuing on the trail, a sudden movement on the ground draws my eyes to a 3-inch, Western Fence Lizard barely visible on the leaf litter. These native reptiles can change color from light grey or tan to nearly jet-black, but probably use this ability for thermoregulation while basking and not to camouflage themselves. As the trail turns toward the bright sun, long shadows of leafless tree branches decorate the ground in front of me. Looping back toward the trailhead, we are pleased to see an elementary school group using the park for an outdoor education activity. Nearby, the wispy red blossoms of a Powder Puff tree and the white blossoms of a Wild Plum tree catch my eye. Coming to the end of the trail, I could not ask for a better conclusion than a close up view of the ornate wings of a resting Western Tiger Swallowtail.

Mother Earth

Nature the host

Winter wonderland

California coast

Flowers to flaunt

Birds to boast

Winter wonderland

California coast

Azure skies

I admire most

Winter wonderland

California coast

D. DeGraaf

February 18

In sharp contrast to the frigid, snowy conditions back home, Caroline and I are enjoying mild afternoon weather as we hike in southeastern California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Guided by longtime friends, Bruce and Flossie Bode, we make our way through this sublime landscape, that greened up from recent rains, and come across several piles of coyote scat containing bones and hair. Without any trails to follow, Bruce leads me through this unfamiliar habitat where I admire blossoming flora including: Brittlebrush, Poppy, Barrel cactus, Ocotillo, Agave and Bigelow’s Monkeyflower. Pausing next to a Creosote bush, I not only observe its showy flowers but also smell the musky, earthy aroma of its leaves. Just ahead, I watch a male and female California quail scurry along the sandy ground while a Black-throated sparrow gets ready to take off. Continuing to scan this desert terrain, I note the abundance of Cholla cacti. Upon a closer look at a remnant of this plant, I’m intrigued to see a skeleton-like layer exposed beneath the thorny skin. In the distance, a perching male Purple Finch catches my eye. Near my feet, I watch a foraging 1-inch Darkling or Stink Beetle. When threatened, it will raise its rear end and spray a foul smelling compound to ward off predators. Stopping briefly, Bruce points out and explains “dry wash” terrain. This wide sandy passage is formed during flash flooding as torrents of water move down slope. Next, my attention is drawn to a dozen Painted Lady Butterflies fluttering around a Lavender bush where one stops to rest. On the desert floor nearby, I stoop to watch a colony of Harvester Ants. Although benign if left alone, this insect will produce a painful bite and sting if disturbed. With gratitude for my opportunity to witness this unique ecosystem, I turn around and head for cover as rain clouds approach.

Searing heat

Miles of sand

Life displays

In barren land

Finch and quail

Colorful plumes

Succulent flowers

Cactus blooms

Drive to survive

With little rain

Nature’s wonders

Desert domain

D. DeGraaf

February 11

With bright sunlight at our backs and a rare chill in the morning air, Caroline and I find ourselves walking behind a surfer down a paved path to Malaga Cove, a coastal landscape near our rental house in southern California. As the trail levels off and hugs the shore, I see how vegetation such as Sagebrush and Buckwheat stabilizes the slope to prevent landslides, especially for that palatial home on the precipice. Turning my attention to the rocky beach, I spot both an adult and juvenile California Gull, side by side, noting the contrast in their plumage. After watching a foraging Willet, I come across the carcass of a Cormorant. Also, I observe one of several piles of Kelp with its characteristic air bladders. Speaking of Kelp, I move a pile to reveal hoards of Kelp flies that spend most of their life in this habitat. These insects are ecologically important as decomposers as well as a food source for beach-dwelling fauna. Scanning the rocks, those with a honeycomb pattern catch my eye. This phenomenon, called Tafoni, is due to both physical and chemical weathering. Another object to catch my eye is this plastic milk jug, one of many plastic items littering the beach. Needless to say, this material, an invention of modern man, has become a major environmental scourge to our planet, both on land and sea. Proceeding from a rocky to a sandy beach, I watch a Sanderling scampering near the surf and a Willet probing the sand for crabs and worms. Further ahead, I see a small flock of foraging Sanderlings. After foraging, these birds often regurgitate sand pellets studded with fragments of mollusk and crustacean shells. After glancing far up the coast to see our town of Redondo Beach, we turn around and retrace our steps where we meet a dog walker as well as a couple of surfers. Meanwhile, I stop by the mouth of a tiny freshwater stream where I spot some unusual cattails, displaying 2 flower heads per stalk. Finally, it’s back up the slope to the car for our trip home.

February focus

Coastal bluff

Trail that slopes

Terrain’s rough

February flora

Take the stage

Colorful cacti 

Fragrant sage

February fauna

Butterflies

On the path

A lizard lies

D. DeGraaf

February 4

After dropping Caroline off at the hairdresser, I make my way into southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula to revisit the George F. Canyon Nature Preserve. While a polar vortex descends on the Midwest, I enjoy pleasant afternoon weather hiking an earthen trail to discover samples of winter wildlife. With my senses fully engaged, I take in the sweet aroma of sage and the colorful sight of Bush Sunflowers (California Brittlebush). Other blossoms that catch my eye include: Blue Blossom Ceanothus and Sierra Snakeroot. Soon, a Mourning Cloak Butterfly flutters by and perches on a tree branch while a Cedar Waxwing sits still among the twigs. This time of year back in Michigan, Mourning Cloak adults disappear by seeking shelter in tree crevasses while Cedar Waxwings are seen in small flocks and on bird feeders. Just ahead, I spot some Prickly Pear cacti, displaying colorful fruit. Surprisingly, this plant can be found in Michigan, although now buried under the snow. With the trail mostly to myself, I meet a few humans with dogs and sidestep evidence of prior horseback riding. Triggered by recent rains, I notice the vines of Wild Cucumber (Manroot) are displaying lots of blossoms as well as a few spiny, tennis-ball size seed pods. These vines grow from a large, tuberous root that can extend several feet and weigh over 200 pounds. One Manroot found in Rancho Santa Ana reported to weigh 467 pounds. Even though the fruit has a mild cucumber aroma, it is inedible by man and beast. The trail I tread follows an intermittent stream that drains a large part of the peninsula, forming a ravine that cuts down to the basement rock, a 150 million year old metamorphic rock called Catalina Schist. Continuing west, I spot another Mourning Cloak resting on the ground and then gaze up at the blue sky to observe a soaring Red Tailed Hawk. Turning around and heading back, I am grateful for this time to escape the hubbub of the city and commune with nature.

All the trails are brown

Ne’er a sky of gray

I went for a walk

On a winter’s day

I’ve been safe and warm

Since I’m now in LA

California hikin’

On such a winter’s day

Flowers in bloom

Passed along the way

Nature all around

Her wonders to display

Don’t miss the cold

Guess I’m gonna stay

California hikin’

On such a winter’s day

D. DeGraaf