March 14

Sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50’s accompany us on an early morning hike at Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Abalone Cove Reserve, named after the edible, but endangered mollusk with a colorful calcareous shell (stock photo). Abalone once were to California what lobster is to Maine and blue crab to Maryland, so plentiful they were harvested by the thousands (stock photo). Californians held abalone bakes, spun abalone folk tales and sang abalone songs. Abalone were integral to coastal Californian culture, until suddenly they weren’t. In the later part of the 20th century, these once-abundant animals were nearly wiped out by overfishing, disease, and climate change. Of California’s seven abalone species, two are federally listed as endangered and none are currently open to fishing. On a steep descent to beach, we pass yellow blossoms of Wild Mustard as well as a trail sign not likely seen back home. Approaching the shoreline, I get a closeup view of a Rock Wren. Their nest is often marked by "paving" of small stones, sometimes with bones and other debris, laid out on ground in front of the entrance (stock photo). Nearby, I spot a California Ground squirrel. These rodents reside on the ground and in burrow systems. The burrows can house many generations, forming a small colony, while each squirrel has a unique entrance. They use a variety of sounds, tail signals and scent production as means of communication. When threatened, they can belt out a high-pitched alarm call that can last for several minutes. Moving down to the beach. I notice clusters of Mussels sticking to a large rock as well as a Spotted Sandpiper hunting for food. Approaching a pile of washed-up Kelp, I’m not surprised to see tiny flies swarming over it. Upon closer look, I spot one of these tiny 5mm Kelp flies. Adult flies and their larvae play an important role in the beach food web by decomposing piles of Kelp while also being a food source for shorebirds and passerines. Thus, I’m not surprised to see a Song Sparrow foraging on a nearby pile. Moving down the beach, I first look down at Seagull tracks in the sand and then look skyward as a pair of Brown Pelicans fly by. Nearby, uplifted layers of sedimentary rock catch my eye. Heading back up the steep slope, I pass by blossoms of Coastal Bush Lupine and pause to look out at Catalina Island, 20 miles to the west. Nearing the car, my last observation includes pink blossoms of a Wishbone bush.

Winter winds

Prevailing east

Nature surrounds

Greatest to least

Steep cliffs

Rocky beaches

Pelican dives

Whale breaches

Falcon soars

Higher than most

Pounding surf

Carves the coast

 

D. DeGraaf