What motivates some people to take spray paint to a site of awesome natural beauty? I will never understand how that can feel good. I thought this part of the cave looked like a sad or angry face frowning down on the graffiti.
vanalden cave
Tag: santa monica mountains
friday hike
Today I returned to an old favourite, dog-friendly, fossil-laden canyon for a lovely winter hike. The landscapito at the top was sketched from the turnaround point, looking east.
notonectidae
The lower parts of Solstice Creek are well-visited, but not many people climb Sostomo Trail to enjoy the gorgeous crossing on the upper creek. The three of us settled into a bed of fallen sycamore leaves and enjoyed the quiet shade. I liked seeing the little backswimmers (Notonectidae family) — I’d also observed these aquatic insects in Australia.
Backswimmers, as the name implies, swim inverted, using their long hind legs to paddle vigorously. They prey on organisms as large as tadpoles and small fish and can deliver a painful “bite” to humans—actually a stab from their sharp proboscis. These insects inhabit still freshwater in lakes, ponds, and marshes, and can also be found in garden ponds and occasionally in swimming pools. Despite being primarily aquatic, backswimmers are effective fliers, allowing them to easily disperse to new habitats.
calabasas peak
Secret Trail has been on my to-hike list for a while. It’s got some really pretty parts, wending as it does through chaparral, oak woodland, grassland and riparian habitats before arriving at the dramatic rock formations in the upper reaches. I’d like to go back in spring to see all the purple sage in flower.
Eucalyptus
There are about 800 species in the Eucalyptus genus; correct identification can be tricky, as features may vary with genetics, environment and tree age. I’m making an educated guess* that the ones at Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills are manna/ribbon/white gums, native to south-eastern Australia.
One thing I find intriguing is the huge variation in gumnut (fruit) size from species to species, from 3mm to 60 or more mm wide. There’s no correspondence with the tree’s height; I wonder what factors determine this feature. These ones are definitely at the small end of the spectrum.
*Ref: Taller Eucalypts for Planting in Australia by Dean Nicolle
Rhus integrifolia
Lemonadeberry is native to these parts; we have a LOT growing on our block. It occurs in both chaparral and coastal sage scrub communities, enduring heat and windy conditions well.
The fruit are eaten by many birds, and the nectar feeds both birds and butterflies. The berries make a pleasingly tart snack if popped in the mouth right off the bush, and sucked for their juice. They can also be dried, then soaked in water and heated to make a kind of hot pink lemonade.
Delphinium cardinale
One of our three native larkspurs, this perennial member of the buttercup family blooms from May to July in chaparral and coastal sage scrub. I don’t see a lot of it, so it’s always a treat to find one of the tall displays of bright red flowers.
Lilium humboldtii
This week in the PerpJo: Humboldt’s Lily. We SMM hikers look forward to these all year, and exchange notes on where they are blooming. So nice to see some today!
BB13
A & I returned to the Backbone Trail after more than a month’s break, and hiked the penultimate and longest section. It was so pretty, especially between Tri-Peaks and Sycamore Canyon. We had Chamberlain Trail to ourselves; it seems that only thru-hikers go there, as it isn‘t a convenient loop or out-and-back hike. I’d like to return with my birding binoculars; I *think* I saw my first Phainopeplas.
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Quick sketch after a loooong hike.
hashiworks 