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, keepContinue reading “Winter in the Canyon”
Category Archives: Flora
Notes from the Canyon – August 6, 2023
~ This year’s juvenile Common Ravens have moved from newly hatched to branchlings to fully fledged birds. This group, occasionally harassed by Red Shouldered Hawks and heard outside our windows, continued to beg earnestly for food whenever the parents flew back with snacks. Starting this week, we heard no begging calls whatsoever. It’s time toContinue reading “Notes from the Canyon – August 6, 2023”
Oddments
~ The American robins have found the seeps in Santa Ynez Canyon and are flocking to drink, en route north. Larger than their European counterparts which are house sparrow-sized, they are reliable visitors to birdbaths and often found around hackberry trees in winter. In spring and summer, they’re easily spotted with earthworms and insects in theirContinue reading “Oddments”
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”
Fox Tail Agave
What appears at first glance to be a sad, droopy plant is actually a thriving life source for insects and birds. Sending up an arching, flower-covered stem after growing for ten years, the fox tail agave blooms starting in late summer through early spring. It is a magnet for bees and birds including hummingbirds, commonContinue reading “Fox Tail Agave”
American Crows Eat Prickly Pears
To our astonishment, spines of the prickly pear do not deter our neighborhood American Crows from eating the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. Who knew this was a source of sustenance for them? Moreover, might the crows’ digestion of the fruit disperse the seeds to start new plantings? We marveled at how they couldContinue reading “American Crows Eat Prickly Pears”
Mashabu 