February 17

It’s late morning on another beautiful day as Caroline and I begin our weekly nature hike in Willow Wetland Preserve. This 14-acre natural habitat is located in Gardena, California, 14 miles south of Los Angeles. The last remnant of a 400-acre watershed, this protected land is completely surrounded by residential housing and retail establishments. Following an earthen trail east around the perimeter, I spot a patch of Bermuda Buttercups that, upon closer look, reveals a Honey Bee feeding on one of the blossoms. Further ahead, Caroline directs my attention to a perching Monarch Butterfly gathering nectar from a Coyote Brush blossom. Stepping off the trail to closely examine the water’s edge, I am pleased to discover a perching Spot-winged Glider dragonfly and an Umber Skipper butterfly, well camouflaged among the dead leaves. High up in a leafless tree nearby, I watch patiently as a Nuttall’s Woodpecker hops from branch to branch and then, amid the noise surrounding this preserve, we proceed beside a vernal marsh surrounded by a dense stand of willows. Speaking of noise, I pause by some lush ground cover to listen to a Pacific Tree frog (stock photo) before venturing onto a wooden overlook where I notice some California Cardinal flowers and a Castor Bean plant with its huge, star-shaped leaves. Continuing east, I spot a Live Oak tree displaying some flowers while last year’s fallen leaves litter the ground at my feet. After walking south along a busy street, we turn west where I glance up in a Black Willow tree to observe a House Finch feeding on some of its seeds. Continuing west, I watch a Western Gray Squirrel scamper up another willow tree. While crossing a footbridge near the end of our hike, I can easily see an orange object in the distance. A closer examination reveals it’s a Flittery Butterfly resting on dead vegetation. After exiting this oasis of natural green space, we reflect on its importance for both humans and wildlife as we drive through several miles of densely populated, concrete-covered suburbs in dense traffic to our densely populated neighborhood.

February hike

Seems like May

Wetland wonders

Winter display

Placid pond

Drake and hen

Dragonflies

Frequent the fen

Amid the bustle

Humans give

Wildlife a home

A place to live

D. DeGraaf

February 10

The noontime temperature is in the upper 50’s under sunny skies as Caroline and I work our way down the steep bluff to the beach along Abalone Cove on California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula. Here, we begin to explore the intertidal shoreline that includes exposed rocks and shallow pools of seawater left behind when the tide recedes. Immediately, I come upon dense aggregations of Mussels clinging to rocks. These edible mollusks look lifeless when exposed to air, but under water they come alive. Their shells open slightly and tiny hairs beat rhythmically to draw in water carrying tiny particles of food. To collect enough food to survive, a mussel filters two to three quarts of water an hour. Scanning my first tide pool, I spot several Sunburst Anemones with their turquoise tentacles as well as pinkish Corraline Algae. This type of seaweed plays an important role in marine ecology as a food source for Sea Urchins, Limpets and Chitons. Some encrusting and rock-like species are the main builders of coral reefs throughout the world. Among the rocks nearby, I notice a foraging Willet and a perching Gull. At the next tide pool, I pause to observe some Turban snails when suddenly one begins to crawl over the sand. As suspected, this shell is occupied by a Hermit Crab. As these tiny Crustaceans grow in size, they must find larger shells and abandon the previous ones. These crabs have been known to fight or kill a competitor to gain access to the shell they favor. Glancing toward the shining sea, I watch a single Brown Pelican fly above the surf. At another tide pool, I come upon a formation of tightly packed tubes of hardened sand made by Honeycomb Tubeworms (stock photo). A close examination of a nearby rock surface reveals Periwinkle snail shells and Barnacles. As the tide continues to recede, I make my way down the beach where I come upon tracks of a seagull and a Hermit Crab as well as a large exposed sedimentary rock with a weathering pattern similar to a topographic map. Finally, we trudge up the bluff back to our car and head for home.

Treasure hunt

Ebb the tide

Basins of brine

Jewels reside

Puddles of riches

Appear ashore

Filled with gems

Prime to explore

Nature’s assets

Found the key

Chest is open

Wealth of the sea

D. DeGraaf

February 3

Amid sunny skies, mild temperatures and a steady sea breeze, Caroline and I take a midday stroll along a favorite stretch of beach around Malaga Cove. Close to the urban sprawl of Torrance and Redondo Beach, this narrow corridor of sand has towering Palos Verdes cliffs on one side and the vast Pacific Ocean on the other. While Caroline searches for seashells, I approach a gathering of California gulls, including white-headed adults and grey-headed juveniles. After seeing tracks of gulls and humans on the moist sand, I spot a formation of Brown Pelicans flying low above the surf. Like Bald Eagles, these birds nearly disappeared from North America because of pesticides entering their food chain. In 1970, Brown Pelicans were listed as endangered. The plight of these birds led to a ban on DDT in 1972 allowing their numbers to rise enough to be delisted by 2009. However, since then, a drastic decline in their main food source (sardines) is threatening the species again. Further down the shoreline, I watch a group of Willets probing the sand for crabs, worms and insects as well as large clumps of Kelp washing up. Moving away from the water, I investigate a pile of sun-dried Kelp teeming with Kelp flies. The entire life cycle of these tiny dipterans is only 30 days while living exclusively on Kelp. Further ahead, I come upon a moderately fresh Pelican carcass. Proceeding from a sandy to a rocky beach, I pause to watch a Spotted Sandpiper searching for food. Among the various rocks are those with holes produced by boring clams that use a set of ridges or “teeth” on the outer surfaces of their shells to grind into the hard surface (stock photo). Turning around, I begin to explore the steep coastal cliffs where, not one but two Red Tailed Hawks perch against the rock face. Nearby, I watch ravens soar above the rock wall against the azure blue sky and a single Says Phoebe perch on a dead stalk. Approaching the car, I notice, among the lush ground vegetation, a stand of Pampas grass as well as blossoms of Beach Suncup, Sea Rocket and California poppy.

Beach concert

Ocean quartet

Stage is ready

Maestro is set

Sand Piper solo

Along the shore

Gulls serenade

As they soar

Lapping waves

Melodic winds

Percussive surf

Encore begins

D. DeGraaf

January 27

The midday temperature is 62 degrees as Caroline and I reach the trailhead of the Filiorum Reserve, 191 acres of protected scrub grassland on the west side of California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula. From here, we pause to view the stunning coastal landscape before beginning our steep descent on an earthen trail where I spot a Desert Cottontail rabbit hiding in the underbrush. Walking gingerly down the slope, I begin to see several ¾ inch White Garden Snails clinging to the vegetation. These invasive gastropods came from Europe to California in shipping containers around 100 years ago and rapidly reproduced to become a major environmental pest. Scanning the nearby terrain, I notice we are surrounded by acres of tall, dried up stalks of Black Mustard. Stimulated by above average rainfall the past few winters, this invasive plant has spread rapidly along the coast. While, in the spring, they cover the hillside with an attractive blanket of yellow blossoms (stock photo), this time of year their dead stalks are prime tinder for wildfires. Continuing our steep descent, I spot the yellow blossoms of Tree Tobacco along with a female Lesser Goldfinch. Further downgrade, I recognize some white blossoms of Wild Cucumber vine as well as a whitish sedimentary rock common on the peninsula, called Diatomite. About ten million years ago, this place was submerged under the ocean where countless microscopic marine plants call diatoms lived, died and left behind their siliceous skeletons, eventually forming this rock. Ahead on the earthen path, I come across a ¾ inch black insect called a Stink Beetle. As its name implies, this insect’s defense against predators is to spray a noxious chemical from its hind end. Near the bottom of the hill, we take in the sweet aroma from Lemonade Berry blossoms. Finally, reaching the base of a ravine, I pause to observe piles of Diatomite rock that, over time were washed down the steep slope and deposited here. Turning around, we begin the arduous hike back up the slope. Reaching the trailhead, we catch our breath before taking one last look at the ocean and heading to the car.

Michigan melody

Usually airs in May

Solos from a palm

Not very far away

California winter

Sweet sound is heard

From a barren branch

Sits the whistling bird

Beak to the heavens

Fragile folded wings

Music to my ears

Song Sparrow sings

D. DeGraaf

January 20

Once again, Caroline and I are hiking in Madrona Marsh Preserve, a 43-acre wildlife oasis in the heart of bustling Torrance, California. The midday weather is sunny with temperatures in the low 60’s, as we make our way southeast on a perimeter trail where I notice the yellow blossoms of Telegraph Weed as well as several mounds and holes made by Pocket Gophers. These rarely seen, 6-inch rodents (stock photo) spend most of their lives in underground tunnels feeding on plant roots. The “pocket” in their name refers to fur-lined cheek pouches used for carrying food and nest materials. Veering southwest on the loop trail, I stop to admire the artistic design on trunks of Eucalyptus trees and then come upon a log being decomposed by some Bitter Oyster fungi. Just ahead, with traffic noise ringing in my ears, we pass a field where I spot a few yellow blossoms of Common Deerweed as well as a perching Black Phoebe. Next, my attention is drawn to a family of foraging geese. Approaching the flooded wetlands, I stop to watch a Coot and a colorful male Northern Shoveler. Shovelers spend the winter here before migrating to their summer breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. As the trail turns to the north, I pause for several minutes to watch a small, unidentified bird flit through the underbrush. Coincidentally, after the bird, a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher finally rests for a photo; I recall that, a year ago, I took one of the same kind of bird in this very section of the preserve. Stepping off the trail toward the water, I spot several 1/8-inch Argentine Ants moving over a patch of dried mud. Accidently brought in from South America, these ants have formed a 500-mile super colony along the California coast, out competing native species and creating a nuisance in thousands of kitchens. After passing by a pair of Mallards, we have a close encounter with an immature Great Blue Heron that seems oblivious to our presence and the noisy traffic nearby. Close to the completion of our hike, I take a final look at the marsh and notice a few American Wigeons. Back to the car, we brace ourselves to join the steady stream of vehicles that hopefully takes us safely back to our rental house, 3 miles north.

Morning hike

Start my search

Monarchs flutter

Phoebes perch

Tranquil marsh

Mallards and coots

Fringe of color

Flowers and fruits

A wildlife refuge

Here in the west

A bustling city

A place to rest

D. DeGraaf

January 13

Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s surround Caroline and I as we take a noontime hike in the 55-acre, Alta Vincente Preserve on southern California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula. After admiring the colorful blossoms of a Lantana shrub at the trailhead, we proceed through a dense stand of willow and palm trees where I spot an old Raccoon latrine as well as a honeybee feeding on blossoms of Lemonade Berry. Proceeding west on a circular trail, I notice ripe dates hanging from a palm tree and dried flower heads on a Black Sage bush. Native Americans made tea from its leaves as well as a soaking solution to ease painful muscles. They also crushed them as minty seasoning on food. In addition, this type of sage is associated with psychic powers and often burned before crystal ball gazing and other forms of divination. Next, I come across a small succulent called Green Live-forever. Apparently the name comes from the fact that these plants can clone themselves for decades, or perhaps even centuries. Looking around, I see part of the 23 acres that the land conservancy is restoring to coastal sage scrub and cactus scrub habitats that will provide much needed refuge for rare species such as the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (stock photo), California Gnatcatcher (stock photo) and Cactus Wren (stock photo). Veering to the south, I come across colorful blossoms of California Brittlebush and Nuttall’s Milkvetch. I also see some invasive Bermuda Buttercups. Their raw leaves and flowers have a strong lemony flavor and are often used in salads. Gazing west, I first see the place along the bluff where we go weekly to count migrating Grey Whales for the American Cetacean Society. Next to that, I see Point Vincente Lighthouse and Catalina Island beyond. Further ahead, I look up the slope to see the red fruit of Prickly Pear Cactus and look skyward to observe some noisy Ravens in flight. Turning eastward to begin our ascent up a steep slope, I notice a Red-tailed Hawk fly to a perch high up on a telephone pole. Back on level terrain, we head toward the car where I spot a solitary pink blossom in a patch of Ice Plants. Ending the hike, we begin our 14-mile drive back to our rental in Redondo Beach.

Ocean breezes

Away from the lee

Vistas so vast

Land meets sea

Flowery nectar

Food for the bee

Sage scrub brush

Land meets sea

Mother Nature

Here with me

Far from home

Land meets sea

D. DeGraaf

January 6

Caroline and I are enjoying the afternoon sunshine and 70 degree temperature as we explore the 290-acre Harbor Regional Park, 20 miles south of Los Angeles California. The paved trail we hike on follows the shoreline of 45-acre, Machado Lake where I spot a perching White Pelican out in the middle. Near shore, I notice a foraging Coot and the large seed heads of Pampas Grass. Continuing clockwise around the lake, we pass by colorful blossoms of California Fuchsia and Tree Tobacco. Fruit that catches my eye include red Toyon Bush berries and orange Lemonade berries. Far out on the water, I see a group of basking Slider turtles sharing a log with a couple of resting Cormorants. In addition to dog walkers, a common site along the walkway is Coyote Brush displaying their cottony seeds. Pausing on one of many lakeside decks, I scan the open water to notice a Western Grebe, a Canada goose, a pair of Mallards, a few Coots and a large gathering of California Gulls. Just ahead, I watch a Cormorant repeatedly surface for a few seconds before diving under to catch fish. From a dense stand of reeds near shore, I hear the familiar sounds of Redwing Blackbirds. Turning around to retrace our steps, I hear a sound that reminds us that we’re not in a remote part of Michigan but in the heart of a California megalopolis. On the edge of the pathway, I spot familiar blossoms of Sow Thistle and not so familiar blossoms of Wild Radish. Further along, I come upon a Desert Cottontail Rabbit as well as a White Bottlebrush tree displaying a mish-mash of drooping seeds, seedpods and blossoms. Before reaching the car, we veer off on another trail where we enjoy the fragrance of sagebrush while spotting a Prickly Pear Cactus. Also, a perching Egret catches my eye. Taking one last look at the lake, I can barely make out a wading Blue Heron on the far shore. Turning around again, we make our way toward the car when I glance high up a leafless tree to see and hear a male Great-tailed Grackle. Back in the car, we are pleased to realize there are urban places like this where humans preserve natural habitats for wildlife to not only survive but also thrive.

Cars and trucks

Planes in air

Concrete jungle

Horns that blare

Motors and strollers 

Groups of teens

Pedestrians scurry

Eying their screens

Amid the din

A song is heard

A cattail patch

A Redwing bird

D. DeGraaf