Tag: santa monica mountains

red-winged blackbird

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Red-winged Blackbirds are apparently “one of the most abundant birds across North America” but Saturday was the first time I’ve observed any. They hang out in wet places, and we don’t have very many of them around here! The males are so handsome and showy, with their bright orange epaulettes which they puff up as they call.

Sketched from a photo by Ashok Khosla.

nicholas flat

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While painting this, I could hear a group of young kids delightedly catching lizards. I was torn between ‘free range parent’ and ‘state park docent’ as I wondered if I should fondly recall the joys of childhood or admonish them not to hurt or take the animals. I said nothing, but I had all the feels.

figwort/bee plant

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So many wildflowers on today’s hike! I counted 32 different species, including several that were new to me. This one’s figwort or bee plant. The flowers are small, but look like cute little faces.

(Oops, just saw a typo on my sketch. It’s Scrophularia. Sounds like a disease, doesn’t it?)

newton canyon

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I’ve been driving past the Newton Canyon trailhead on Kanan for, oh, 25 years. Today I finally hiked it. It’s very pretty! The canyon sunflowers are out in full force, with lupins about to bust out all over.

When I stopped to sketch the view, I discovered that I didn’t have my usual brushes with me. All I had was a skinny little water brush, which is not my favourite tool. I tried to make the best of it …