A dying tree supports so much life—insects, lichen, fungi, bacteria, reptiles, plants, small mammals. I sat by this log and recorded a few of the organisms I could easily see.
on a log
Tag: nature journaling
at the beach
I went to Ormond Beach in Oxnard with the Channel Islands Nature Journalers. It’s an interesting place, a little hard to get to, bounded by a port, a Naval Air Station, a power plant, and a superfund* site—a former metal smelter—that is high in aluminum, magnesium, and other metals. Some of the waste contains radioactive thorium and radium.
Sounds yucky, but because of its lack of appeal to the beach-going public, it’s a great birding site! There’s a protected lagoon and wetlands, and more shorebird species are known to use Ormond Beach than any other site in Ventura County. Two endangered species, the Western Snowy Plover and the California Least Tern, nest there. We went with a guide from Audubon, so it was primarily a bird-watching event, but as usual, the plants called my name.
*I learned why highly polluted locations are called superfund sites. It’s because that’s the amount of money that is needed to clean them up. Check here to see if you have one near you (US only).
goat buttes
Marley Peifer and I hung out at Malibu Creek State Park for the day, geeking out on plants, rocks, reptiles, bryophytes, fungi, birds, insects and water. We also talked a little eco-philosophy and discussed different definitions of biodiversity.
Calochortus catalinae
The Santa Catalina mariposa lily is endemic to Southern California. It is native along the coastline in grasslands and open chaparral and woodlands habitats, especially on the Channel Islands and in the Santa Monica Mountains. It is considered rare due to habitat loss, so I am always happy to encounter it in the wild.
Stachys bullata
Hedge nettle is a native mint endemic to these parts. Even though it has ‘nettle’ in the name, it doesn’t sting. It has a strong and interesting smell.
riparian flora
After sketching the ducks, I turned my attention to the riparian flora.
preen and proper
Channel Islands Nature Journalers met at the botanic garden today, but it was unexpectedly closed. Not to be deterred, we spent a few hours observing the nature in the adjacent park. I was entertained by the contortions of a fastidious drake.
Vinca major
bryophytes
And then there were the bryophytes.
i’m lichen it
I went for a hike and got completely distracted by dual organisms consisting of a fungus and an alga or a cyanobacterium. Look! So many pretty colours!
hashiworks 