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.
Winter in the Canyon
On a recent morning in the Santa Ynez Canyon, as I was looking toward Topanga State Park, two native trees stood out. A ribbon-like stand of California Sycamores in the creek bed contrasted with the lush greenery of the upland Coast Live Oaks. The sycamores, like some oaks of the savannah in the Midwest, keep…
Late Autumn in Birdland
Checking in with the Southern California bird scene, two locales yielded an assortment of species. First up, an estuary on the coast. During a recent visit to the Malibu Lagoon with the Santa Monica Bay chapter of the National Audubon Society, several familiar bird species caught my attention for their plumage and bill displays. These…
Baja California Treefrog
This agile amphibian climbed onto the glass of our patio door overnight. It’s a Baja California Treefrog, and thanks to the rainstorm yesterday, came out of estivation for a walkabout and some snacks. This treefrog is distinctive for its black eye stripe. In springtime, these native frogs’ calls are easily heard in the Santa Ynez…
- Birds (22)
- Raptors (3)
- Earthquakes (1)
- Family (1)
- Fauna (2)
- Flora (6)
- frogs (1)
- Good books (1)
- Insects (5)
- Butterflies (2)
- Mantid (1)
- Mammals (4)
- Marine Mammals (1)
- Mollusks (3)
- Ocean Life (4)
- Oceans (2)
- Sea Shore Species (4)
- Tropical storms (1)
- Uncategorized (8)
- Word origins (2)
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Mashabu 