Caroline, Riley and I are hiking a paved path in southern California’s Harbor Park under partly sunny skies, morning temperatures in the mid 50’s and a stiff west wind. Soon, I notice a Prickly Pear Cactus displaying some red ripe “prickly pears” that can be eaten raw, right off the plant. Depending on the level of ripeness, they can range from slightly sweet to syrupy sweet. Curving around the south shore of an over-flowing Machado Lake, I spot a wading Great Blue Heron and a perching, juvenile, Black-crowned Night Heron. The oldest Night Heron on record was a female who was at least 21 years, 5 months old when she was found in California in 2012. She was banded there in 1992. Nearby, a few standing Snowy Egrets catch my eye. During breeding season these birds grow curving plumes that once fetched astronomical prices in the fashion industry, endangering the species. By the early 20th century, conservationists rallied to protect them so they are once again a common sight in shallow coastal wetlands. Just ahead, I notice a much larger Great Egret. This bird hunts in classic heron fashion, standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture fish with a deadly jab of its yellow bill. Like the Snowy Egret, Great Egrets were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes in the late nineteenth century, sparking conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds. Scanning the surrounding wetlands, I see lots of Canada Geese along with a few Mallards swimming and feeding. Turning around, I retrace my steps and then follow a path along the west side of the lake where I spot the red berries of a Toyon tree. These berries provide food for birds and mammals; however, they are poisonous to humans unless properly prepared. Nearby, I come upon the red berries of a California Pepper Tree. Humans do consume these berries; however, they are usually roasted or dried first. Continuing around the lakeshore, I come upon piles of fronds blown off the park’s tall King Palm Trees, after last night’s storm. The fronds turn into small, wiry strands as they break down and can take up to 50 years to decompose. Green-waste facilities cannot handle them because the strands get tangled in shredding equipment, causing damage to machinery. Finally, I take one last look out on the lake spotting a few California Gulls milling around and a few resting Brandt’s Cormorants with their heads tucked into their bodies.
Nature in winter
No path of snow
Another realm
For me to know
No leafless forest
Ponds with ice
Ocean breezes
More than suffice
No stark landscapes
Whitetail deer
Snakes that rattle
Lurking near
D. DeGraaf
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