Flora and fauna musings from the Pacific Flyway and beyond
Dum spiro spero.
There’s much to observe in our environment. Learning about the ecosystems we inhabit is a lifelong curiosity.
As a new Californian, I am curious to know the names of the plants and animals which grow and live in this part of the world. Malibu’s marine layer climate provides a razor-thin margin of moisture which supports an array of life. This will capture some of my learnings. Feedback is always welcome.
Lesser Goldfinches
California sycamore trees are frequently seen in gardens and on public property around Southern California. The seed pods of the trees that dangle in winter are brown orbs, about one inch in diameter. But to lesser goldfinches, these seeds are lunch! Malibu Lagoon has sycamores growing between the Pacific Coast Highway and the estuary. OnContinue reading “Lesser Goldfinches”
Sea Stars
King Tides arrived this weekend in Southern California, and with them, a rare opportunity to see marine life that’s typically underwater. On Broad Beach, in western LA County, this constellation of five sea stars was spotted at low tide on a large boulder. Considered a keystone species in intertidal zones, sea stars keep mussels inContinue reading “Sea Stars”
Red-Tailed Hawk
A noticeable decline in birdseed consumption in our back yard has us wondering: what’s changed? There’s a new cat prowling the neighborhood, and we’ve had a couple of Santa Ana wind events. The birdseed didn’t smell rancid. Why the downturn in our feeder traffic? This juvenile red-tailed hawk might be a key. Notice that itContinue reading “Red-Tailed Hawk”
- Birds (19)
- Raptors (3)
- Family (1)
- Flora (3)
- Insects (3)
- Butterflies (1)
- Mammals (4)
- Marine Mammals (1)
- Mollusks (2)
- Ocean Life (3)
- Oceans (2)
- Sea Shore Species (3)
- Uncategorized (3)
- Word origins (2)
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Mashabu 