February 26

The afternoon sky is sunny with temperatures in the upper 70’s as Caroline, Riley and I explore the botanical garden in the 18-acre, Polliwog Park in the city of Manhattan Beach, California. Just off the trail, I watch several honeybees feeding on blossoms of Rosemary. Nearby, I spot a never-before-seen Sonoran Bumble Bee, gathering pollen from a Purple Sage blossom. Right away, I notice its yellow fur, very large size (about 1 ½ inches long) and hairy legs that are used to collect and carry pollen to the hive. Although these bees sting, the symptoms are similar to others. Like other pollinators, this species has been in decline since the 1990’s, similar to their honeybee relatives. After pausing by a gently flowing creek, I proceed past colorful blossoms of Rosy Mallow and California Lilac. Unlike Michigan Lilacs, this shrub is evergreen. Like Michigan Lilacs, the blossoms have a lovely fragrance. Leaving the botanical garden, we proceed downhill to a large, man-made lake where I spot a few American Wigeon ducks, with both males and females displaying similar plumage. During the breeding season, males’ contrasting colors (stock photo) are used in courtship displays to attract females and discourage competing males. Wigeons are the most vegetarian of dabbling ducks, eating the stems and leafy parts of aquatic plants, leafy parts of grasses, and leaves and seeds of some marsh and crop plants. They were formerly known as "Baldpate" because the white stripe on the male’s crown resembled a bald man's head. Near the water’s edge, I spot a California Gull standing next to one of many basking, Red-eared Slider turtles with its distinctive colorful ear. These reptiles feed mainly on plants and small animals, such as crickets, fish, crayfish, snails, tadpoles, worms, aquatic insects and aquatic plants. Because of their popularity as pets, these non-native turtles have invaded freshwater habitats like this one, competing with native western pond turtles for food, egg-laying sites, and basking sites. Nearby, I observe a pair of these turtles swimming along, partially submerged. While they can hold their breath up to 30 minutes, they are able to sleep underwater for hours. Up ahead, I notice a few swimming Mallards and American Coots. On the far shore, I see the wispy seed heads of Pampas Grass. Introduced to California in 1848 by nursery operators, this grass has spread all over the state, threatening native plants and the animals that rely on them. Turning back toward the car, I look overhead to see the colorful blossoms of a Red-flowering Gum tree. 

High in a Sycamore 

Or on a field below

Honk of a Canada goose

Caw of a common Crow

Noisy jay of blue

Quiet Cardinal of red

White breast of a Phoebe

Black cap on its head

Some perch or swim

Other ones in flight

Nature’s winged wonders

Afternoon delight

 

D. DeGraaf

February 19

In highly urbanized parts of Southern California, nature preserves come in all shapes and sizes. This morning, under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60’s, Caroline, Riley and I are hiking an earthen trail in Dominguez Gap Wetlands, near Long Beach. In 2008, a 37-acre, linear drainage basin was converted to a wetlands where flows from the LA River and local urban runoff were routed through to naturally clean up pollutants such as fecal coliform and heavy metals, while also providing a year-round habitat for native plants and wildlife. Soon, I spot a male House Finch and a Mourning Dove perching in a mostly-leafless deciduous trees. On both sides of the trail, I notice blossoms of Coastal Sunflower and White Sage. High above the water, perched on a powerline, I observe a Belted Kingfisher. This bird can see fish almost 100 yards away. It darts out and dives down to snatch one up and then returns to the perch. Further ahead, I come upon a perching Black-crown Night Heron. These social birds breed in colonies of stick nests usually built over water (stock photo). Scientists find it easy, if a bit smelly and messy, to study the diet of young Black-crowned Night Herons—the nestlings often disgorge their stomach contents when approached. On the water, I spot a mating pair of Northern Shovelers. Northern Shovelers are monogamous and remain together longer than most pairs of other dabbling ducks. They form bonds on their wintering grounds and stay together until just before fall migration. Swimming along the far shore, I watch an American Coot and a group of male Mallards. Arriving at the far end of the wetlands, I pause to take in this unique preserve. Heading back on the other side, I notice the red blossoms of a Bottle Brush tree and a swimming Pied-billed Grebe, before it dives under the water. Next, I can barely make out a juvenile Black-crown Night Heron, well-camouflaged as it perches in a patch of dead reeds on the far shore. Young Black-crowned Night Herons, like this one, leave the nest at the age of one month but cannot fly until they are six weeks old. They move through the vegetation on foot, joining up in foraging flocks at night. On the water’s edge, I come upon a perching Great Blue Heron and a pair of Western Pond turtles. These turtles are omnivorous. They eat a variety of insects, tadpoles, frog eggs, snails, leeches, aquatic beetles, dragonfly larvae and fish. Plant foods include filamentous algae, lily pads and cattail roots. Approaching the car, I’m reminded that places like this not only provide refuge for wildlife but also for a few homeless humans.

 

Dynamics of nature may seem cruel 
Kill or be killed is a general rule 
A life must be taken to help another 
One will make it, but not the other 
Creature lies dead on the ground 
Food for the living has been found 
I mourn the end of its beautiful life 
Hope it was quick, no pain or strife

Whether it be near or yon
Cycle of life and death goes on 

 

D. DeGraaf

February 12

Under mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50’s, Caroline and I begin hiking along an oceanside beach in Torrance, California. Soon, I come upon a pile of beach wrack inhabited by a swarm of Kelp flies. These 1/3-inch flies and their larvae feed on stranded and rotting seaweed, particularly Kelp. They are ecologically important in the turnover of organic material on the coast. In this role they also are important item in the diet of beach-dwelling animals and birds. Glancing seaward, I watch a group of Least Sandpipers scurrying and feeding along the swash zone. These small shorebirds eat small invertebrates such as amphipods, isopods, gastropods, horseshoe crab eggs, water fleas, midges and flies. They peck at prey on the surface and probe damp sand for buried prey, using the surface tension of the water to transport the item quickly from their bill tips to their mouths. After seeing a half-dozen Brown Pelicans flying low above the surf zone, I continue down the sandy beach where I notice a 2-inch piece of a West Coast Venus Clam shell and an 8-inch rotting coconut. Since coconut palm trees are rare in California, this one likely floated many miles over many days to get here. Looking again toward the water, I see a Eurasian Whimbrel. These large shorebirds are the most widespread of the curlews, nesting in the Arctic across North America and Eurasia while wintering on the coasts of six continents. The name 'Whimbrel,' originating in England, apparently began as a loose interpretation of the bird's call. Further down the beach, I pause to observe a 6-inch, porous rock of volcanic Pumice and a 6-inch rock of Red Kimberlite that gets much of its color from minerals of purplish-red garnet. This rock was named after Kimberley, South Africa where diamonds were originally found in weathered Kimberlite. Reaching a rocky beach, I come upon the carcass of a Brandt’s Cormorant and a “Swiss Cheese” rock. The holes in this rock are the work of piddock clams or, more commonly, boring clams. This clam uses the sharp, rough-textured end of its wing-shaped shell to drill perfectly round holes through stone. Turning around, I focus on the steep cliffs next to the beach. As a result of recent heavy rain, I’m not surprised to notice a significant mudslide. Among the debris, I spot one of several Yellow-rumped Warblers. While these birds are year round residents out here, they are migrants in mid-Michigan where they breed in the upper Peninsula and Canada. Nearing the car, I notice blossoms of Sea Rocket and Ice Plant.

Much about nature

Yet to behold

Her many secrets

Yet to unfold

New places to hike

Trails to walk

New plants to find

Creatures to stalk

Season after season

Year after year

No matter where

Her call I hear

 

D. DeGraaf

February 5

The afternoon sky is sunny and the air temperature is in the upper 70’s as Caroline and I begin our hike at Hopkins Wilderness Park, an 11-acre wildlife preserve in a dense, residential section of Redondo Beach. After passing a man-made pond where some Red-eared slider turtles bask on a rock, we proceed on a perimeter path where yellow blossoms of Bermuda Buttercup and Crowndaisy catch my eye. Heading down slope, I stop by a pile of large limestone boulders where one of several 3-5 inch Western Fence lizards warm up and move about. These reptiles eat mostly insects and spiders. Their predators include snakes, coyotes, bobcats, and hawks. The lizard’s tail can be detached as a mechanism to escape and is eventually regrown. Heading upslope, I come upon dainty yellow blossoms of Willow Wattle and pause to take in their sweet aroma. Nearby, I spot clusters of blue berries of Japanese Privet. This shrub was introduced to the U.S. from Japan in 1845 as an ornamental plant. As is the case with many introduced species, the intentional plantings for landscaping around homes and buildings led to its escape into more natural surroundings. After passing by the trunk of Red Gum Eucalyptus tree, I turn toward the trailhead when suddenly, we come upon a sunny glade to watch, in amazement, as a dozen butterflies of different species flutter about, land and take off. Before mating, butterflies often seem to dance together, whirling around each other. The male releases pheromones from scent glands in an effort to entice the female. While I’ve seen this butterfly behavior by members of the same species, I’ve never seen it happen among a mixture of species. As a watch some of the individuals land briefly, I’m able to determine their identity. The first species I spot is the Monarch. There are two subpopulations of these butterflies in North America, with the eastern population overwintering in Mexico and the western population overwintering in coastal California. The next species is the Mourning Cloak. This butterfly apparently gets its name from its resemblance to an archaic, traditional cloak worn when someone was in mourning. The third species is a Western Tiger Swallowtail. Similar in apperance to the Eastern Swallowtail, this butterfly ranges through much of western North America from British Columbia, Canada to Baja, Mexico. The last one I observe is the Painted Lady. Their annual migration usually peaks in mid-March when they leave their winter residence in western Mexico and head to the Pacific Northwest for the summer to breed.

Satisfaction

All life seeks

Trout thrive

In healthy creeks

Plants enjoy

Sunlight of day

Hungry predator

Savors its prey

Human beings

Every race

Follow their dreams

Age with grace

 

D. DeGraaf