January 13

Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s surround Caroline and I as we take a noontime hike in the 55-acre, Alta Vincente Preserve on southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula. After admiring the colorful blossoms of a Lantana shrub at the trailhead, we proceed through a dense stand of willow and palm trees where I spot an old Raccoon latrine as well as a honeybee feeding on blossoms of Lemonade Berry. Proceeding west on a circular trail, I notice ripe dates hanging from a palm tree and dried flower heads on a Black Sage bush. Native Americans made tea from its leaves as well as a soaking solution to ease painful muscles. They also crushed them as minty seasoning on food. In addition, this type of sage is associated with psychic powers and often burned before crystal ball gazing and other forms of divination. Next, I come across a small succulent called Green Live-forever. Apparently the name comes from the fact that these plants can clone themselves for decades, or perhaps even centuries. Looking around, I see part of the 23 acres that the land conservancy is restoring to coastal sage scrub and cactus scrub habitats that will provide much needed refuge for rare species such as the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (stock photo), California Gnatcatcher (stock photo) and Cactus Wren (stock photo). Veering to the south, I come across colorful blossoms of California Brittlebush and Nuttall’s Milkvetch. I also see some invasive Bermuda Buttercups. Their raw leaves and flowers have a strong lemony flavor and are often used in salads. Gazing west, I first see the place along the bluff where we go weekly to count migrating Grey Whales for the American Cetacean Society. Next to that, I see Point Vincente Lighthouse and Catalina Island beyond. Further ahead, I look up the slope to see the red fruit of Prickly Pear Cactus and look skyward to observe some noisy Ravens in flight. Turning eastward to begin our ascent up a steep slope, I notice a Red-tailed Hawk fly to a perch high up on a telephone pole. Back on level terrain, we head toward the car where I spot a solitary pink blossom in a patch of Ice Plants. Ending the hike, we begin our 14-mile drive back to our rental in Redondo Beach.

Ocean breezes

Away from the lee

Vistas so vast

Land meets sea

Flowery nectar

Food for the bee

Sage scrub brush

Land meets sea

Mother Nature

Here with me

Far from home

Land meets sea

D. DeGraaf