Saw my first blue birdie at Encino Park. Was very blue and cool. It was flying around us. There was also some dark eyed juncos. Yay!!!!!
guys... i went to the beach to take grad pictures of my sister, and i saw some dolphins !!!!!!!! at first, i thought it was just my imagination, but then my brother saw some too 0:> AND THEN AFTERWARDS i saw some seals with the dolphins. i'm one that doesn't like the beach, and yet, i got to see something super super crazy !!! O__O i never thought i would enjoy my time like that
The call (screech) of a jay is unmistakable. I have one that visits me often to stop by for remnant bird seed and peanuts! Here it is sitting in my apricot tree.
I hadn't seen a grass hopper in a while. I was surprised when it jumped on my hip while watering my Crepe Myrtle and Avocado tree. Then it jumped back into the Crepe Myrtle in a single jump so swiftly. I'm slowly growing more plants and seeing more small creatures and birds hanging out in the greenery.
I've lived at my house for more than a decade but saw an American Kestrel, a small falcon, in the vacant lot behind our house for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It was perched in a tree calling. Now when I'm sitting in my backyard I can sometimes hear it calling as it flies overhead, and I know that it is still in the neighborhood, helping to keep our rodent population under control!
I've become quite the avid birder over the last year, and every day brings a new list of identifications. One of the ways I find calm and destress during a time where I can be glued to a computer screen is to get up and get out for a little while - walking around and looking at all the nature around me (and there's a LOT to observe.) It had recently come to my attention that a wild Great-Horned Owl had taken up residence in one of the large trees near Australia and Campo Gorilla Reserve areas of the L.A. Zoo. I would go every few days to scout and see if I could catch a glimpse of the nocturnal creature as it hid from the publics' eye in a remote tree. Each day, I would grow with anticipation as I could slowly see a silhouette or outline of the owl. Finally, the day came - I was able to peek through the foliage and brush in the trees to get a glimpse of one of North America's largest owl species, and how beautiful it was. Words never can encapsulate the feeling of identifying and observing a new bird no matter how ubiquitous or rare the bird is. It is pure elation. I work at a zoo where there are thousands of animals from all walks (and slithers) of life, and I still get excited knowing that the park houses such a wide array of native wildlife. I encourage all of you to take a moment from your busy schedules and step outside. Look around. If you're in the hustle and bustle of a large city or in a more remote part of a suburb, I guarantee that nature is alive around you in one way or another...
This is the first time that I saw a black bunny! I've only spotted grey or brown ones in the past. This one is so cute :D
The other day, after a series of long, draining virtual meetings I decided I needed to go outside and get some nature. I sat on a bench outside of our office building with my camera, not expecting to see much or caring if I did, really. Suddenly, a mockingbird flew by, landing on a shrub just a few feet away. I typically think of mockingbirds as sly, somewhat shy birds that avoid getting too close, but this one seemed as interested as me as I was in it. She or he hopped on the shrub, leaning its head back and forth, inspecting me and my camera. In just a few minutes, I got lost watching this beautiful bird, and by the time it flew off I felt calm and recharged for my next Zoom meeting.
I noticed a pair of Mallard ducks in the elephant yard near the wading pool. It reminds me that the elephant yard has many kinds of habitats that can also support local wildlife. I wonder if they live there or if they are simply visiting for a nice swim.
