On a sunny, cool morning in the southern California town of Manhattan Beach, Caroline, Riley and I are enjoying a leisurely hike in 18-acre, Polliwog Park. First, I gaze skyward at a leafless California Sycamore tree displaying spiky, 1-inch diameter seed balls. These balls contain tufts of fluffy tiny, winged seeds that disperse easily in spring when they fall to the ground. Then, the colorful blossoms of a Baja Fairy duster shrub catches my eye. Nearby, we pause under a Coast Live Oak tree to listen to a chorus of Song Sparrows. Up ahead, we walk by a pond where I watch a few Coots swim close to shore. During the summer, these birds are found around the freshwater lakes and ponds of the northern United States and southern Canada. During the winter they head to the southern portion of the United States from California to Florida. Proceeding along a meandering brick path, I spot a single orange blossom of a California poppy plant. As the state flower of California, people use the parts that grow above ground for medicine. Alone or in combination with other herbs, it’s used to treat anxiety, insomnia and many other conditions. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Next, I spot a single pink blossom of a Pink Melaleuca plant. Overhead, I observe a male Goldfinch and a female House finch perching in a leafless tree. On the ground, a Song Sparrow and a Fox squirrel catch my attention. While enjoying the sound of a small babbling brook, I spot a Honeybee feeding on yellow blossoms of a Gum plant. Other colorful blossoms I see include, Salvia Bon Bon and Rosemary. Other birds I see include a Gold Crown Sparrow and California Dove. Surprisingly, these doves are legally hunted in California, mostly for sport and not for food since any edible portion of meat, once all bird shot is removed, is likely smaller than a chicken nugget. On our way back to the car, I come upon a Fern-leaf Ironwood tree. Fossil evidence shows that this tree was more widely distributed throughout mainland California up until around 6 million years ago. Currently it only grows naturally on Santa Cruz Island off the coast.
Nature in winter
No vista of snow
Another climate
For me to know
No leafless forest
Or frozen pond
Coastal strolls
The sea beyond
No tracks or scat
Of whitetail deer
Birdsongs aplenty
To fill the ear
D. DeGraaf
Wonderful post. Thank you.
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