sad bee tale
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Sostomo->Deer Valley
Annette and I have hiked to Tropical Terrace in Solstice Canyon many (many) times. But today was our first foray up the Sostomo Trail and around the Deer Valley Loop. We have declared it our new favourite hike. The creek crossings are delightful and the views from the top make the climb worthwhile.
We saw a hedge nettle (Stachys bullata) blooming out of season. What’s up with the common name? This member of the mint family neither grows in a hedge nor stings like a nettle. 🤷🏻♀️
The hungry caterpillar(s)
Teensy little leaves being eaten by teensy little caterpillars.
across the canyon
Our neighbour’s garden is not alight, but the Fire Sticks succulent (Euphorbia tirucalli) sure is aptly named.
gum flower
Seen on my walk, the prettiest white eucalyptus flowers (or gum flowers, as we call them Downunder.)
morning quiet
location scout
Annette and I circumnavigated the Santa Monica Mountains today, scouting possible locations for future Nature Journal Club meetups. We found several strong contenders, a couple of maybes, and we crossed a few off our list. A productive and fun day! (Sketched from a photo taken while hiking the day before.)
scarborough
My dear friend Georgia and her mum are spending the week at Scarborough (UK). She sent me a photo of their “windswept joyfulness”, and I just had to capture it in a loose sketch.
Rhus ovata
This week in the PerpJo. Rhus ovata, commonly known as sugar bush or sugar sumac, is a shrub or small tree found growing in the canyons and slopes of the chaparral and related ecosystems in Southern California, Arizona, Baja California and Baja California Sur. It is a long lived-plant, up to 100 years, and has dense evergreen foliage. It is closely related to and hybridizes with lemonadeberry, which grows at our place. It’s in the cashew family!
illuminatin’
Where am I, Narnia? I wish! For some reason my mother-in-law’s house includes a lamp post in the middle of the back lawn. I guess it’s a good place to look for your car keys.
hashiworks 