As the summer months speed by, I have been spending some time around our pond, cutting down weeds and observing the insects that fly in and around the habitat. Around here the prettiest insects we see is the blue damselfly; we spot them near streams and ponds. It has an oblong head with bulging eyes [...]
Red-winged blackbird— Many people in the Santa Ynez Valley notice the different birds that come during the winter months and leave in the late spring for the northern regions. One of these species of special interest to me is the Red-winged Blackbird. For years I have seen them on the Chamberlin Ranch, but for the [...]
In late March, the monarch butterflies hibernating all winter in Mexico, Southern California and the Central Coast begin to migrate north. In order to complete this treacherous migration and complete their life cycle, the monarch butterflies must locate milkweed to feed on and lay their eggs. In my observations, the monarchs seem to go back [...]
The Toyon is also known as the California holly and Christmas berry. PHOTO, Cheryl Morris: Toyon berries, top, usually ripen by Thanksgiving and can be seen all through the Christmas season. The flowers, below, are a favorite with bees. Though a tempting decoration, Toyon is protected by state law. Fall is a great time on [...]
As this is the first spring after the Zaca fire and I live on Figueroa Mountain near the fire zone, I have made a point of traveling the roads in and near the burn area along the backcountry, searching for new species of wildflowers. But it turned out something closer to home caught my attention. [...]
