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

January 30

The mid-morning sky is sunny with temperatures in the upper 60’s and an easterly breeze as Caroline & I begin hiking in Torrance California’s Madrona Marsh Preserve. Following an earthen path around the rain-swollen wetlands, I spot a swimming American Coot and a swimming family of Northern Shovelers. Proceeding along a busy road, I pause to observe a resting Red-rock Skimmer dragonfly and a Monarch butterfly, feeding on a willow blossom. Up ahead, I come upon a never-before-seen Leucitic blackbird, perched in the underbrush. White feathers on this bird’s head is the result of a genetic condition called leucism that prevents pigments (Melanin) from reaching some of a bird's feathers while the skin and eyes keep their normal pigment and color. Leucism can lead to limitations of flight. Melanin is a component in the makeup of feathers, and without it, feathers are weak and brittle and often fray easily. Continuing around a large pond, I notice a mating pair of swimming American Wigeons while high above, a perching Cooper’s Hawk scans the water for prey. Nearby, a sight and sound expected in Mid-Michigan in a couple of months-a vocal male Redwing Blackbird perched on a cattail. Overhead, I spot a pair of never-before-seen Cassin’s Kingbirds. In 1826, naturalist William Swainson was the first to describe this bird to science, from a specimen collected in Mexico. Twenty-four years later, George Lawrence gave the bird its current English name, in honor of his friend John Cassin, a prominent Philadelphia ornithologist. An assertive bird of open country, the gray and lemon-yellow species hunts flying insects from high perches. The bird’s scientific name translates to “vociferous tyrant,” and it fits this loud, aggressive songbird well. Males may attack large hawks that pass too close to the nest or battle rival kingbirds that enter the nesting territory. Continuing counter-clockwise around the marshy land, a perching Black Phoebe and a perching hummingbird catch my eye. Because of poor lighting, I could not tell if the hummingbird was an Allen’s or Anna’s variety. Blossoms that catch my eye include white Milk Vetch and yellow Telegraph Weed. Next, I walk under a Blue Gum Eucalyptus tree with its colorful flowers and seed pods. On the ground, I come upon some mole-like mounds of soil created by a Valley Pocket Gopher (stock photo). Pausing at a bird-feeder near the car, I see several Lesser Goldfinches fluttering about.  

Litter on concrete

Oasis of green

Acres of asphalt

Wetlands between

Megalopolis

Wildlife retreat

Amid the havoc

Waterfowl meet

Human encroachment

Habitat repair

Endangered species

Humans that care

 

D. DeGraaf

January 23

Under sunny skies and chilly morning temperatures in the low 50’s, Caroline, Riley and I start hiking an earthen trail in the 50-acre, George F. Canyon Nature Preserve, one of a dozen parcels on the Palos Verdes Peninsula operated by the local land conservancy.  Soon, I spot white flowers of Wild Cucumber vines and green catkin flowers of an Arroyo Willow tree. Just ahead, I pause and listen to the unusual call of a Peacock. The original Peacock colony on the Peninsula was established in the 1920’s when 16 birds from an aviary on Catalina Island were given as a gift to a local resident. More colonies were introduced in the mid 1960’s. Meant to be contained as yard pets, many birds escaped and established wild colonies that exist to the present.  Continuing west, I’m not surprised to hear the soothing sound of running water, since the hillsides are still draining after a week of steady rain. Likewise, I’m not surprised to hear distant sirens as I observe a Red-tailed hawk soaring high in the azure blue sky. Up the trail, after noticing the red fruit of a Toyon tree, I come across a 1-inch, Scallop shell lying on the ground. Realizing these mollusks live exclusively in salt water and we are miles from the ocean, I conclude it was moved and dropped here by a fellow human being.  Just ahead, I pause to read a sign that describes in detail this unique ecosystem. Turning around to retrace my steps, I spot a Honeybee, with a yellow sac attached, feeding on blossoms of Lemonade Berry. Resembling tiny saddlebags (stock photo), these bright spots of cargo are pollen baskets or corbiculae. Each time a bee visits a flower, pollen sticks to its antennae, legs, faces, and bodies. A bee's legs have an array of combs and brushes. As she becomes laden with pollen, a female bee uses those tools as grooming devices, running them through her body and hair to pull away the pollen. As she brushes herself, she draws the pollen toward her hind legs into those little pockets. As a bee gathers a batch of pollen, she pushes it into the bottom of the basket, pressing it tightly into what's already there. A full basket can carry as many as a million grains of pollen. She mixes a little nectar with the pollen to make it sticky and to help it hold together. Approaching the car, greenery to catch my eye include, a patch of Nasturtium and a slope-side patch of rye grass, planted for erosion control. Near the car, I come upon a 1-inch, edible Sweetbread mushroom that smells like cucumber. 

Once there were acres

For creatures to roam

For trees and shrubs

To make their home

Once there were acres 

Of water and sky

For fish to swim

For flocks to fly

Now there are acres

Where humans thrive

Pushing boundaries

Can nature survive?

 

D. DeGraaf

January 16

The morning temperature is 60 degrees, under partly sunny skies as Caroline, Riley and I walk an earthen path on Pt. Vincente, a favorite place on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, 10 miles west of our Lomita, CA. rental. Hiking south, I take in coastal sounds and sights, including ocean waves, palm trees and distant Catalina Island. Nearby, I spot a single Black Phoebe while far ahead, I see several Brandt’s cormorants perched on a steep rock face. Blossoms that catch my eye, include Sea Lavender and Baja Fairy Duster. After glancing skyward to see a Gibbous moon, I look down and notice some webs made overnight by ½- inch Grass Spiders (Funnel Weavers) (stock photo). This spider waits patiently within the funnel portion of its web until an insect gets tangled in the upper, sheet-like area, then it scurries out to bite and paralyze it. Once the insect is immobilized, the spider pulls its prey down into the funnel where she can feed at leisure – It’s the female that makes the funnel web. Next, I come to an overlook where fellow whale watchers are tracking and counting migrating Gray whales. While the white board shows none had yet been seen, I find out later that 9 whales were counted, including 2 calves. Continuing down the path past an often-seen sign, I observe a Dessert Cottontail rabbit and a never-before-seen Orange-crowned warbler whose namesake orange crown patch is rarely seen but may become visible when the bird raises its head feathers in excitement or agitation (stock photo). Looking away from the ocean, I spot a foraging, White-crowned sparrow and a couple of perching Common Ravens. Nearby, I see a familiar creature, an Eastern Fox Squirrel resting on a tree trunk. These squirrels were brought from the eastern United States in the early 1900’s and have been increasing their range and population ever since, both on their own and from humans deliberately spreading them through the state. Heading back to the car, I notice a European Starling perched near the top of a Palm tree. Scanning the tree, I see clusters of dates hanging from some branches. Date Palm trees are one of the oldest known crops, cultivated in western Asia and northern Africa more than 5,000 years ago for their sugary fruit—and still commercially grown in Iraq, North Africa, and the United States. This tree has long been considered the tree of life in desert cultures and is associated with fertility. Finally at the car, I take one last look at the Pacific coastline before heading home.

 

Overwhelming ocean 

Cliff-side perch

Binoculars poised

Morning search

Steamy blows

Whales of gray

Soaring high

Birds of prey

Sea lions swim

Dolphins dive

Senses alert

Nature’s alive!

 

D. DeGraaf

January 9

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 20^th 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