Under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s, we explore the 500 ft.-high hilltop park, called the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, 10 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. This landmark is one of several dome-shaped hills running northwest to southeast along the coast (stock photo). Soon, I come upon a 1-inch, Desert Stink Beetle as it walks with its head down and then raises its rear end as a defense against my approach, thus its other name, “Headstand Beetle”. This posture happens as it discharges a foul-smelling secretion from the tip of the abdomen toward a would-be attacker. Also seen in skunks, this insect is also known as a Skunk Beetle. However, there is a field mouse predator that has learned to counter such attacks by holding the beetle's butt down to the ground while biting its head off. This beetle may burrow under the sand when intense sunlight overheats the ground and come out at night to look for food such as fungi, animal detritus, and plant matter. After pausing to watch a Red-tailed Hawk soar high above, I come upon a Mourning Dove gathering nesting material. While most birds spend several days, to as much as two weeks building a nest, a mating pair of doves can quickly throw together a loose platform of sticks in just a few hours. Their flimsy nests are made of pine needles, twigs and grass (stock photo). From this scenic overlook, I gaze through the haze at the Los Angeles skyline, 10 miles to the east. With a population of 4 million people, it’s the 2nd largest city in the U.S. Further ahead, I spot lovely blossoms of Geranium and Bush Monkeyflower. The monkeyflower has an unusual adaptation to aid pollination. Before fertilization, the stigma is open, appearing like a white, lobed platter. When brushed by an insect the lobes fold together (stock photo). If pollen has been deposited, the stigma remains closed, securing the pollen, and initiating fertilization and seed development. Otherwise, it opens again. Other blossoms that catch my eye include, Beach Sun-cup and Mule Fat. The common name, mule fat, comes from the gold mining days when prospectors and cowboys would tie their mules to the shrub to browse. Native Americans had many uses for mule fat, including using the leaves as eyewash and to stop baldness. Some California tribes would use the stems as hand fire drill. Nearing the car, I notice a perching California Towhee and Anna’s Hummingbird.
Was it flowery fields?
Or a craggy coast
Was it azure skies?
I remember most
Was it gullies green?
Or hills I climbed
Was it bird songs?
That stirred my mind
California memories
Loud and clear
Images of nature
I’m holding dear
D. DeGraaf
I enjoy reading your California wanderings.
ReplyDelete