February 7

It’s mostly cloudy, in the mid 50’s as we hike through Southern California’s, 35-acre Dominquez Gap Wetlands. Water from the LA River and local urban runoff are routed through these wetlands to naturally reduce pollutants such as fecal coliform and heavy metals while sustaining a year-round habitat for plants and native wildlife. The open space provides opportunities for public recreational amenities such as equestrian trails, bike paths and walkways. Following an earthen trail lined with Coastal Sunflowers, we pass by a Eucalyptus tree displaying pink blossoms and a Cherry tree displaying white blossoms. Nearby, a Fetid Passionflower catches my eye. Beyond its beautiful flower, this species is easy to recognize in the field by its disagreeable odor when disturbed. Also, the plant can trap insects on its bracts, which excrete a sticky substance that contains digestive enzymes, minimizing predation on the young flowers and fruits. It’s unclear whether the plant receives nutrients from these insects, so it’s considered “protocarnivorous.” Scanning the open water, I watch a mating pair of Mallards swimming by and a Song Sparrow perching among 8-ft tall Sawgrass. Moving past colorful blossoms of Black Sage and Evening Primrose, I pause to enjoy the long melodious song of a House Finch.  Continuing down the path, I spot a male Allen’s Hummingbird. On their territory, these birds have a spectacular display, starting with a pendulous, shuttling flight followed by a high-speed, J-shaped dive from about 100 feet. As if the display alone weren't enough, the dive is accompanied by a loud buzz and metallic shriek. These birds are also extremely aggressive, routing any other male Allen's, other hummingbird species—and even birds several times larger than themselves, such as kestrels and hawks. Next, I pause to look at and listen to a Northern Mockingbird. The vocalizations of these birds copy other songbirds, dogs barking and even machinery. Some mockingbirds learn as many as 200 songs as part of their vocal repertoire. Turning around and making our way back to the car, I notice the bright red “flowers” of the ubiquitous Bougainvillea vine. Each “flower” consists of papery-looking bracts surrounding three tiny flowers (stock photo). Although the bracts are leaves, they don't photosynthesize. Instead, their main function is to protect the tiny flowers and help attract pollinating insects and hummingbirds to the plant with their bright colors.

 

Bird of the wild

How can it be?

Acres of concrete

Rarely a tree

Tainted air

Smoggy sky

Sprawling buildings

Nowhere to fly

Urban racket

Drowns your song

What have we done?

It seems so wrong

 

D. DeGraaf