Poking around the tide pools with Suzanne was a perfect way to spend the first morning of summer.
malibu tide pools
Blog
cafe sketch
Thank you, random customer with magenta hair, for being my unwitting model.
lilies and phacelia
I don’t know how long the Humboldt lilies are going to last in Santa Ynez Canyon, but for now they’re still going strong, and we’re loving them.
r.i.p. p-54
One night four years ago, a young mountain lion paid us a visit. She and I locked eyes through the living room window, before she stalked off into the night. We contacted the wildlife people next day, who checked the tracking and let us know it was P-54, an 18 month old female. We felt extremely honoured by her visit.
Last Friday morning, P-54 was struck and killed near Malibu Creek State Park. She was the 29th mountain lion to be killed by a vehicle in the NPS study area since 2002.
I know there are a lot of tragic things happening in the world right now, but this one particularly hurts.
cute newt
I was sooo excited to see this little guy down in Cold Creek; first time I’ve seen one in the wild. All credit goes to Annette for spotting it first.
scorpionfly
Thursday night is bug night 🪳🪲🪰🐞🦟🐜🐝🦋
grapes
I don’t think I’m over-watering the grapes. If anything, I’m under-watering. Why are some splitting?
arthritic carrots
Our carrots are growing all twisted like arthritic fingers. I assume it’s because I planted them from nursery seedlings rather than direct from seed, and they didn’t get a chance to put down a long straight tap root until it was too late. Back to seed next year!
had an ace(r) day
Maples are scarce in the Santa Monica Mountains. They need cool, damp, protected shelter, which is in pretty short supply. But we do have two Acer species nearby (one native, one introduced), and today I visited both of them. Gotta love a tree with hairy balls, right?
ammannia coccinea
Don’t overlook the teensy ones!
Guided by some online resources, I went looking for this flower by the pond at Rocky Oaks. I was expecting a plant between ankle and knee high (my wildflower book says it’s up to 16″/40cm tall). I scanned about but couldn’t see any likely candidates. Then I had the urge to just sit awhile right there on the bank.
You guessed it! I soon realized I was surrounded by the plant I’d come seeking — tiny (1.25″ high) scarlet toothcup plants with miniscule magenta flowers. Such a delight!
