A new-to-me bird … they are not rare, but I apparently haven’t been observant enough to notice one before today.
Spizella passerina
Author: Hashi
red berries
It’s red berry season in this part of the world, and our yard boasts three different shrubs bearing this cheerful fruit. None of them are native; in fact both cotoneaster and firethorn are considered invasive in California. I’d like to replace them both with our lovely endemic toyon.
Apis mellifera
exoskeleton
Just in time for Halloween, a discarded (exo)skeleton.
stick figure
One way to loosen up: use a very crude tool.
archery lesson
Quercus lobata
The squirrels are happy. But the acorn woodpeckers are going to have drill bigger storage holes!
Chrysanthemoides incana
Ventura Botanic Garden is free on Fridays. And you can take your dog on Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s a very steep site with ocean views all the way up. Definitely a place to return to in spring.
Andricus quercuscalifornicus
A little something I’m working on for school walks at the state park.
Callipepla californica
What fun, a covey of California quails in the backyard this morning. First time I have seen the state bird of California in our yard. I hope they return!
