January 20

Once again, Caroline and I are hiking in Madrona Marsh Preserve, a 43-acre wildlife oasis in the heart of bustling Torrance, California. The midday weather is sunny with temperatures in the low 60’s, as we make our way southeast on a perimeter trail where I notice the yellow blossoms of Telegraph Weed as well as several mounds and holes made by Pocket Gophers. These rarely seen, 6-inch rodents (stock photo) spend most of their lives in underground tunnels feeding on plant roots. The “pocket” in their name refers to fur-lined cheek pouches used for carrying food and nest materials. Veering southwest on the loop trail, I stop to admire the artistic design on trunks of Eucalyptus trees and then come upon a log being decomposed by some Bitter Oyster fungi. Just ahead, with traffic noise ringing in my ears, we pass a field where I spot a few yellow blossoms of Common Deerweed as well as a perching Black Phoebe. Next, my attention is drawn to a family of foraging geese. Approaching the flooded wetlands, I stop to watch a Coot and a colorful male Northern Shoveler. Shovelers spend the winter here before migrating to their summer breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. As the trail turns to the north, I pause for several minutes to watch a small, unidentified bird flit through the underbrush. Coincidentally, after the bird, a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher finally rests for a photo; I recall that, a year ago, I took one of the same kind of bird in this very section of the preserve. Stepping off the trail toward the water, I spot several 1/8-inch Argentine Ants moving over a patch of dried mud. Accidently brought in from South America, these ants have formed a 500-mile super colony along the California coast, out competing native species and creating a nuisance in thousands of kitchens. After passing by a pair of Mallards, we have a close encounter with an immature Great Blue Heron that seems oblivious to our presence and the noisy traffic nearby. Close to the completion of our hike, I take a final look at the marsh and notice a few American Wigeons. Back to the car, we brace ourselves to join the steady stream of vehicles that hopefully takes us safely back to our rental house, 3 miles north.

Morning hike

Start my search

Monarchs flutter

Phoebes perch

Tranquil marsh

Mallards and coots

Fringe of color

Flowers and fruits

A wildlife refuge

Here in the west

A bustling city

A place to rest

D. DeGraaf