March 16

On a warm, cloudy morning, I accompany Caroline and my daughter, Allison on a hike in Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a 50-acre tropical landscape on the southeastern shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. On a steep descent, I pause to hear a familiar Michigan sound of a Mourning Dove mixed with a sound of ocean surf below. Exploring a strip of vegetation away from the beach, I watch some active Asian Mongooses. These invasive mammals are native to India and were originally introduced to Hawai’i in 1883 by the sugar industry to control rats in sugarcane fields. While rodents make up a portion of the mongooses’ diet, they also prey heavily on native birds, insects, and other fauna. They have been blamed for the extinction of ground-nesting birds including 8 federally endangered Hawaiian species. Walking parallel to the beach, I spot a few colorful perching birds including: a Common Myna, a Red-crested Cardinal and a pair of Red-vented Bulbuls. Flowering trees that catch my eye include Plumeria and Hibiscus while on the ground I notice a Beach Morning Glory blossom. Also, on the ground, I watch a Zebra Dove probing the pine needles and a Golden Plover prancing toward the surf. Up ahead, I’m surprised to see several friendly feral cats roaming around, being managed and fed by park personnel. Next, an odd looking tree, called a Screwpine draws my attention. The edible leaves have a floral-like aroma and are used for making sandwich wraps and teas. About the size of a football, the fruit is studded with about 100 protruding segments called cones that start out with a green highlight on the bud that then turns to orange (stock photo). The cones are sweet and yield a juice that tastes like thick mango nectar. Investigating the sandy beach, I come upon a washed-up chunk of coral, a snail shell and a coconut husk. Given the geologic history of Hawaii, I’m not surprised to see outcrops of volcanic rock. After coming upon some tide pools, I pause to see clusters of pea-size Periwinkles clinging to the rock face. Turning around, I make my way back up the slope toward the car where I take one final look at this unique cove that was once a volcanic crater that flooded so now snorkelers and swimmers can explore its coral reef.

Mid March day

Find my way

A scenic lane

Hawaiian domain

Late winter season

Have a reason

To hike these trails

Where nature prevails

The waves appear

My ears to hear

Flowering trees

Eyes to please

D. DeGraaf

March 9

With sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s, Caroline and I begin a midday hike in Hopkins Wilderness Park, an 11-acre natural oasis near our rental in the heart of densely populated Redondo Beach, California. This elevated landscape was used as a radar site during the early years of the cold war with Russia to detect incoming missiles. Subsequently, the federal government donated it to the city that developed it into a nature park. After passing a man-made pond, stocked with turtles and Koi, we follow a stone-covered trail along the perimeter where the vegetation reveals a solitary Poppy blossom as well as a 3-inch grasshopper of unknown species. Just ahead, a newly established restoration area displays blossoms of California Lilac, Mallow as well as a perching Cabbage White butterfly. As the trail slopes downward, we pass a Mountain Ash tree with clusters of orange berries. Turning southward, I come upon a Mourning Cloak butterfly perching on a tree branch. Since these butterflies feed primarily on sap and ripen fruit, they are rarely seen pollinating flowers. Looking more closely at this Lepidopteron, I note its wings are frayed from age. Not surprisingly, their life cycle, that includes a brief caterpillar phase (stock photo), also includes an adult phase that spans 10-11 months, the longest of any butterfly species. As I continue to watch, it repeatedly flies around and returns to the same tree branch. This male behavior, called “territoriality” is found as well in other butterfly species. Continuing southward, I pass a Hawthorn bush loaded with pink blossoms. Often seen in residential lawns, this one is likely an offspring of a parent shrub from the local neighborhood. A little further up the trail. I pause to gaze through the haze at the snow-capped peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains, 30 miles to the northeast. Looping back toward the trailhead, I notice the leaves of a young Sycamore tree with their unusual leaf-like stipules. Near the finish, I catch a glimpse of a Bushtit perching high in a leafless tree. Throughout the hike, I’ve watched several of these small birds flutter through the canopy making their short “chipping” calls. Finally, we reach the car for a short drive home.

Azure skies 

Miles from drear

March memories

There and here

Barren earth

Blossoms all year

March memories

There and here

Frozen lakes

Ocean near

March memories

There and here

D. DeGraaf

March 2

Shortly after daybreak, Caroline and I meet a small group of fellow whale watchers on an observation deck at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, situated on a sheer cliff, 125 feet above the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. As part of the Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, we join other volunteers of the American Cetacean Society weekly to identify and count marine mammals, with a focus on Eastern Pacific Gray whales (stock photo) that swim by here on their lengthy migration route. During the first 2 hours, we only manage to see two “porpoising” dolphins off shore while near the deck, a perching Allen’s Hummingbird and on the deck, a few friendly White Crowned Sparrows. While waiting for whales to show up, I exit the deck and approach a nearby Palm tree to observe a singing Savannah Sparrow as well as a Northern Mocking Bird. Following an earthen trail along the bluff, I first spot a foraging Desert Cottontail rabbit and then a Honeybee feeding on blossoms of California Lilac. Looking down at the rugged coastline, I notice a rock formation near shore occupied by some perching Cormorants. Close to the trails edge, I come upon several webs of funnel-weaver spiders, made visible by morning dewdrops condensing on their silken strands. Returning to the observation deck, I notice more spotters have joined Caroline and the rest of our group. Also, I check the white board that is updated daily for the many visitors who stop by to inquire about our sightings. Despite difficult viewing conditions due to an incoming marine layer of fog, we finally spot the “blows” and “backs” of a pair of gray whales heading north. As we continue to track them, one flukes. These amazing creatures have the longest known migration of any mammal. They travel 10,000-12,000 miles round trip every year between their winter calving lagoons in the warm waters of Mexico and their summer feeding grounds in the cold Arctic seas (Stock photo). Around noon as the sky clears and the temperature reaches 70 degrees, we bid farewell to the Tuesday morning team and head back to our winter home.

Eying the ocean

Scanning for clues

Spouts of air

Not many views

Whale of gray

Instinct your guide

Miles to swim

Calf along side

Gentle behemoth

Much to admire

Safely get home

My one desire

D. DeGraaf

February 24

By midday, the marine layer had evaporated to reveal mostly sunny skies as Caroline and I begin hiking in the 123-acre, Dana Natural Area in San Pedro, California, 26 miles south of Los Angeles. Shortly after leaving the trailhead, I’m not surprised to spot a Honeybee feeding on a Japanese Cheesewood blossom, a favorite attraction because of its sweet orange-like fragrance. Next, despite not seeing the Song Sparrow, I stop to enjoy its solo from a leafless Alder tree. During our time here, I’ve heard this pleasing song many times in many settings throughout this densely populated landscape and am amazed how well this bird adapts to such conditions. Just ahead, Caroline points out a 3-inch Fence Lizard, warming itself in the sun. Speaking of reptiles, we come upon a warning sign often seen on our hikes. After many years hiking in suitable habitat, I’m still longing for my first encounter with one of these creatures, likely a Western Diamondback (stock photo). After passing a Lodgepole Pine tree displaying both male and female cones and a Brazilian pepper tree displaying its red fruit, I pause to watch a flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding on cones high in an Alder tree. A common winter migrant here in Southern California, these birds will later travel to their summer breeding grounds in northern US and Canada. Beginning our steep ascent on a paved road, I come upon a field of dead Black Mustard stalks as well as an invasive Leafy Spurge plant. Near the hilltop, a plant restoration effort by the nature center reveals Lavender, Purple Sage and Creeping Thyme. Looping around and beginning our descent on an earthen trail, I spot a White Garden Snail clinging to a thistle leaf as well as small pink blossoms of Wild Radish and Stork’s Bill. Further down the hill, I first gaze afar to see a perching Says Phoebe and then crouch down to notice a tiny Ladybug feeding on mustard greens. After rejoining the paved road, we continue our descent against the backdrop of metropolitan San Pedro with a population of 57,000. Back in the car, we head to our Redondo Beach rental for afternoon quiet time.

Competition

Vying for space

Habitats for nature

Human case

Cooperation

Vying for space

Unity with nature

Human race

Conservation

Vying for space

Protection of nature

Human grace

D. DeGraaf

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