February 27

Under sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60’s, we’re hiking along the edge of a pond in Pollywog Park where Coots, Mallards and Geese swim about while several Western Painted turtles collectively face the morning sun. After ascending a grassy slope, we follow a paved path into a botanical garden where yellow blossoms of Goldenbush and Suncup are on display. Soon, I come upon a Monarch butterfly feeding on a blossom of Purple Sage. On the same plant, I watch a honeybee feeding while on a nearby blossom of Mountain Lilac, a bumblebee feeds. Honeybees make lots of honey—enough for beekeepers to take the excess from the hive for human consumption. Bumblebees make little honey but are known for their loud buzzing and the way they “bumble” around, slowly pollinating flower after flower. Honeybees are more cooperative, communicating with one another. Bumblebees are independent. They usually create their nests in burrows underground, while honeybees nest above ground, often elevated to help keep out predators. Moving along, I first pause by some dense shrubbery to look at and listen to a family of White-crowned Sparrows and then I come upon a Hutton’s Vireo, a bird that I’ve only heard but have never seen until now, as it bathes in a small creek. Suddenly, a 4-inch Western Fence Lizard runs along and stops to warm itself on a rock. These diurnal reptiles lead a solitary life. They protect themselves by employing their fast reflexes, including biting and defecating on the predator. For thermoregulation they can change color from grey to tan to black. Up ahead, I pause to notice an adult Harlequin bug (black and orange checkered) and a mostly-black instar resting on a Pitcher Sage plant. The adult is named for its unique coloration and pattern like the masked and costumed jester of old (stock photo). As a member of the stink bug family, it produce odors as a defense mechanism against predators. Considered an invasive species, it migrated from Mexico and Central America after the Civil War. As an agricultural pest, it consumes cabbage, kale, broccoli and mustard greens. If left unchecked, this pest can cause entire field crops to wilt and die. After taking a short break, we turn around where I spot orange blossoms of California Poppy and red blossoms of Hummingbird Sage. Heading back toward the car, I stop at a bird feeder to see an English Sparrow eating seeds while a House Finch looks on. 

Fly o’er the surf

Seagull soar

Walk the sand

Prance the shore

Sing with the Sandpiper

Ride the ocean breeze

Dive for a Herring

Swim the rolling seas

Creature of the coast

Worthy of praise

Bird of the beach

I admire your ways

 

D. DeGraaf

February 20

This morning we are hiking in Dominguez Gap Wetlands- a narrow, 30-acre parcel of land surrounded by a densely populated urban jungle of houses, factories and traffic noise. Water from the LA River and local 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. Under overcast skies and temperatures in the mid 50’s, I immediately spot a perching Northern Mockingbird and an immature, Red-shouldered Hawk with its yellow cere above the beak. Over much of eastern North America, these hawks have become uncommon, sticking closely to the remaining forests. Populations in Florida and California are often more visible, perhaps adapting better to open habitats. These hawks return to the same nesting territory year after year. One Red-shouldered Hawk occupied a territory in southern California for 16 consecutive years. Next to the trail ahead, I notice the yellow blossoms of Bladderpod and the white blossoms of Greenspot Nightshade. Like most nightshades, the leaves are poisonous, but the small, spherical fruits (stock photo) are edible. Native Americans used the juice of the berries medicinally and as dye for tattooing. Also referred to as Douglas Nightshade, it is named in honor of David Douglas, a Scottish botanist who collected many plants on the West Coast in the early 19th century. Looking out on the open water, I spot a single American Coot and a mating pair of Northern Shovelers. Other blossoms that catch my eye are from Black Sage and White Sage. While Black Sage is often used in cooking, White Sage is more commonly used in incense rituals and as a fragrant plant. This is because it exudes a much more intense, tart and resinous scent. At the southernmost end of the wetlands, we cross an earthen dam and begin walking back on the opposite side where I spot a male Anna’s Hummingbird perched in the underbrush. Up ahead, I observe the red blossoms of Bottle Brush swaying in the breeze. Next, I pause to admire two hunting Great Blue Herons, one standing on some rocks and the other standing among the reeds. Suddenly, a familiar sound is heard as a pair of Canada Geese fly overhead. Continuing north toward the car, I catch a quick glimpse of a swimming Pied-billed Grebe just before it dives under water. Finally, near the car, I spot one of a half-dozen encampments occupied by homeless people.

 

Mother Earth

Nature the host

Winter wonderland

Pacific coast

Flowers to flaunt.

Birds to boast.

Winter wonderland

Pacific coast

Azure skies

Cover most

Winter wonderland

Pacific coast

 

D. DeGraaf

February 13

The mid-afternoon temperatures are in the low 80’s, under sunny skies as we hike along the edge of Peck Park Canyon, about 10 miles south of our Lomita, CA rental. Near the trailhead, I come upon a sign that spells out the cautions necessary when humans and wildlife vie for the same habitat. With a steep, wooded ravine on my right, I proceed eastward on an earthen path and pause to listen to the bird call of a Northern Flicker, a familiar sound heard back in Michigan. While Michigan Northern Flickers migrate south for the winter, these are year-around residents. Continuing eastward and overlooking the massive seaport of Los Angeles, I stop and peer through the haze at the snow-covered peak of Mt. Baldy, some 50 miles away. Turning around, I come upon a huge Banyan Fig tree with its sprawling, above-ground root system. Following another trail as it descends into the canyon, I spot bright yellow blossoms of Rush Rose and tiny pale-blue blossoms of Plumbago. Up ahead, my ears perk up to the sound of a Hutton’s Vireo, a bird yet to be seen in the wild (stock photo). These small, well-camouflaged birds move slowly and deliberately through foliage in search of food. They take prey from branches and leaves, picking them quickly as they move along, or hovering or hanging upside-down to glean them from the tips of leaves or needle clusters. They chase and fly after flying insects as well. Their known prey include stinkbugs, leafhoppers, lady beetles and caterpillars. Hutton’s Vireos are unusual among North American vireos in that they don’t migrate. The species name was given in 1851 by John Cassin, Philadelphia ornithologist, for William Hutton, a field collector of birds, about whom little is known. Continuing westward, I glance down to the base of the canyon to see a narrow stream of clear water, remaining runoff from soaking rains of a few weeks ago. Starting in 2005, natural vegetation was planted on these slopes to curb erosion and filter runoff so cleaner water would drain into the nearby harbor. Further along, I notice clusters of white flowers from a Japanese Lilac tree. This is one of many examples of a cultivated plant that has escaped someone’s yard and has the potential to out-compete native species. Approaching the car, I come to a clearing in time to enjoy watching a few fluttering butterflies. After waiting in vain for at least one to land for a photo op, I do my best to track them in flight. The first one is a dipping and dodging Morning Cloak (stock photo). The second and third ones are Monarchs that meet each other and head off.  

Curious eyes open to see

Mother Nature here with me

Different flower, different tree

Different bird flying free

Look around on land and sea

Different topography

Down low on bended knee

Welcome sound, bumblebee

Coastal treasures, found a key

California discovery

 

D. DeGraaf

February 6

The mid-morning weather in southern California is clear and cool as Caroline, Riley and I start our hike in Abalone Cove Park with the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in front of us. After looking at the morning sun reflecting off the coastline water, I spot a single, Red-throated Loon swimming offshore. These duck-like seabirds breed in rugged tundra and taiga wetlands of northern Canada and Alaska.  Wintering birds, like this one, are found only in shallower marine waters near land and in major estuaries and sounds. Like other loons, they dive for fish from the surface but may also hunt from the air. They fly swiftly and can stall, pivot, and drop with almost falcon-like precision. Working our way down steep terrain, I spot pink blossoms of Ice plants and yellow blossoms of Coast Sunflowers. Birds I observe along the way include a standing California Towhee and a singing House Finch. Reaching the water’s edge, I pause to look at and listen to the wave action. In the distance, I see a large gathering of Brown Pelicans resting on a rocky islet. This is the only pelican species that dives from height as the main method of obtaining food. Exploring the rocky beach, I notice a Mussel, finding shelter inside one of several holes in a large boulder. These holes were made by a rock-burrowing mollusk called a Piddock Clam (stock photo) The bottom portion of their shells have rough ridges with teeth-like serrations that twist and grind back and forth into the rock. Away from the water, I scan stratified rock layers on the cliff face. Nearby, I catch a glimpse of a scampering California Ground squirrel. This mammal is also called a Beechey Ground Squirrel, named after Frederick William Beechey, who explored much of Northern California in 1826-28 as captain of His Majesty's Ship, Blossom. After making our way back up the steep slope toward the car, I stop to watch a perching Peregrine Falcon. These birds-of-prey catch medium-sized birds in the air with swift, spectacular dives, called stoops. They often sit on high perches, waiting for the right opportunity to make their aerial assault. They have been observed killing birds as large as a Sandhill Crane and as small as a hummingbird. Typical prey include shorebirds, ducks, grebes, gulls, and songbirds including jays, waxwings, and starlings. In cities they are masterful at catching pigeons. Peregrine Falcons also eat substantial numbers of bats. 

 

Filling the senses

More than enough

Shorebirds and surf

Sounds from the bluff

Rocks are resistant

Waves are rough

Forces of nature

Scenes from the bluff

Land versus sea

Competition tough

Stretching the mind 

Thoughts from the bluff

 

D. DeGraaf