March 18

The afternoon sky is sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s and a cool sea breeze as Caroline, Riley and I explore rocky, White Point Beach on the Southern California coast. As the waves spill over the rocky shoreline, I pause to notice a perching Western Gull and a perching Whimbrel. Near my feet, Ground Squirrels scurry among the large boulders where they’ve built a network of tunnels. Away from the water, I look up the cliff at the rock face, outlined against an azure blue sky. Nearby, I notice both a large patch of Prickly Pear cacti and Ice Plant are blanketing the slope to stabilize it against future landslides. Gazing skyward, I watch three Brown Pelicans soar overhead. On the ground, I pass by a large boulder of volcanic Pumice and some shells of Blue Mussels before I pause to observe an invasive White Snail feeding on Wild Mustard leaves. Sometimes known as the Italian white snail, this gastropod can be a serious pest of landscape ornamentals, including trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and herbaceous plants. Although it has been established in California for at least 100 years, it has been mostly inactive until recently. Next, I pause to listen to a peeping sound from the ground. Eliminating the source as a bird song, it can be from a tiny frog called a Spring Peeper. However, while this amphibian is common in Michigan, it has never been officially reported in California. The only other possibility is it’s one of the many sounds made by an insect called a Katydid (stock photo). Just ahead, a ½ inch resting Flesh Fly catches my eye. The life cycle of their larvae has been well researched and is very predictable. Different species prefer human bodies in different states of decomposition, and the specific preferences and predictable life cycle timings allows forensic entomologists to understand the progress of decomposition and enables the calculation of the time of death. Turning around to retrace my steps, I spot a Rock Wren, perched on a rock. This bird usually builds a pavement or walkway of small, flat stones that leads to the nest cavity (stock photo). The nest is usually located in a rock crevice out of sight, but the pavement may give away the nest's location. In some cases, both foundations and walkways become elaborate, incorporating hundreds of objects, many human-made. The function of this pavement is unknown. Focusing once again on the surf zone, I notice several Cormorants perching on a black, rocky islet. Making my way back to the car, I catch a brief glimpse of a few dolphins surfacing in the glistening water. 

Month of March

Halfway through

Edge of spring

Ocean blue

Hail to Neptune

God of the sea

Vista so vast

Waves so free

From rolling surf

To pelicans high

Nature’s artist

Paints the sky

 

D. DeGraaf

March 11

The early afternoon skies are sunny with temperatures in the mid 60’s as Caroline, Riley and I begin our hike in Harter Park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This property, located in a residential area, is a steep canyon that has been preserved for both storm drainage and a wildlife sanctuary. Soon, I come upon blossoms of Bermuda Buttercup. Also known as sour grass, this plant originated in the Cape region of South Africa and is now found all over California. Considered a weed, the edible flowers and leaves of this plant add a lemony flavor to salad greens. Further down the trail, I pass an outcrop of a rock called Altamira Shale, a thin-bedded sedimentary bedrock formed by successive layers of clay and volcanic tuff. Nearby, up on the grassy bank, I spot a blossom of Sulfur Cosmos and one of Wild Lupine. Lupines are legumes and like most of that family, their roots have nodules (stock photo) that contain a very special bacterium, Rhizobium. These bacteria are able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrate, a form that can be absorbed and used by the plant.  For that reason, legumes are commonly planted as a “green manure” crop in order to renew the nitrogen content of the soil. Glancing toward the other side of the trail, I notice white blossoms of a native Wild Cucumber vine along with a single hanging fruit. Unlike the domesticated cucumber, this green, spiky, golf-ball size fruit is inedible by humans and wildlife. Following the trail as it loops back to the other side of the canyon, I pause to listen to the song of a seldom-seen, but often heard, Orange-crown Warbler. The 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 down slope into the canyon, I spot the branches of a Blue Coast Redwood tree with its flat needles. As one of the most iconic plants and a keystone native species of the coastal ranges of Oregon and California, some of these trees are known to be the tallest and oldest on earth. Approaching the car, the red fruit of a Toyon tree catches my eye. These berries were eaten by native Americans who would usually roast or boil them to remove the bitter taste; sometimes drying them for future cooking. Early settlers cooked these berries into pies and custards and fermented them into a cider. Members of the Kumeyaay tribe made a pulp of the leaves and used this as a wash for sores. Because the wood of Toyon is very hard, the Chumash Indians used it extensively for tools and weapons. 

Let me reach as a willow

To touch the sky

Let me flutter and float

As a butterfly

Let me sing as a wren

From the branch above

Harmonize

With a Mourning Dove

Let me soar as a hawk

O’er the sunny lea

If only an hour

I wish I could be

 

D. DeGraaf

March 4

Under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60’s, Caroline and I are on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at Pt. Vincente scanning the ocean for whales. As volunteers for the Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, we spend four hours each week counting these magnificent marine mammals (stock photo) as they migrate up and down the California coast. From my perch on the deck, I gaze southwest at the rugged coastline, the open water and a barely-visible, Catalina Island on the horizon. Looking more closely, I notice a few Cormorants resting on a rock below. In dense vegetation next to the deck, I spot a few perching White-crowned Sparrows while overhead a flock of soaring Brown Pelicans catch my attention. Suddenly, one of the spotters yells, “blow” as we focus our binoculars on the open ocean. Soon, a couple of Gray whales surface and are photographed by a fellow observer with a high-powered, telephoto lens. During one of the lulls, I leave the deck and follow a path north along more of the rugged coastline before I pause to observe a perching California Towhee. Poison oak is one of the hazards of outdoor recreation in California. It lines trails and covers hillsides, seemingly lying in wait to inflict its itchy, weeping rash on the unwary. But it’s also an integral part of the landscape and part of the daily life of California Towhees. Many towhees build their nests in poison oak and feast on the plant’s copious crops of pale white berries. Along the way, I notice blossoms of Sea-lavender swaying in the breeze and a Bumble Bee feeding on blossoms of Milkvetch. Turning around, I observe the tiny blossoms of Cranesbill Geranium and the variable-colored blossoms of Garland Daisy. Back on the deck, Caroline & I are pleased to observe and count several more Gray whales, for a count total of 11, 10 northbound and 1 southbound. Unfortunately, the overall numbers for the season are following a dramatic downward trend. Flash back to 2016. At that time, about 27,000 gray whales swam along 5,000 miles of Pacific coastline. They spent their winters in the warm waters off Mexico raising their young and their summers up north in the Arctic, feeding on crustaceans and other bottom dwellers. Today, the population is around 15,000, continuing the rapid decline. Researchers blame most of this on climate change, especially in the Arctic, where Gray whales spend their summers bulking for the arduous journey. Warmer water means less sea-ice cover, nutrients and access to high quality food sources resulting in emaciated whales that die along the way.

 

Start of March

Noon of the day

Land meets sea

Nature’s array

Breaking waves

Rumble and roar

Pounding surf

Hammering shore

Silent seconds

Momentary lull

Concert continues

Shrieking gull

 

D. DeGraaf

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