Container Habitats

Cool Casitas

Some cool bungalows in Eagle Rock and a couple of Eichler homes in Thousand Oaks. See; Native California landscaping, minimal design, classic trucks.

San Rafael Hills

La Jolla Valley - Spring 2015

Some Post Springs Fire recovery. The show was intesne and vibrant, yet brief.

Scenic Route

Micro World of a Macro Park

First Ascent

First climb to the top of the mountain that would become my future backyard. Not too long after this hike I was fortunate to live at the top of that large riparian canyon that sprang from that majestic mountain for almost 3 years. Searching through all of the images from all of the various treks and explorations is very rewarding. To not only relive walks like this one, but to also be reminded of what the place looked like before the massive fire and a 3-year drought.

The images above display a vibrant Spring, and I truly don't think I've seen things this green since these were taken in the Spring of 2009. And 2009 was not even a really wet year, but certainly a wet year compared to the ones we've been having lately! However, things are starting off pretty good this early Winter. We'll see if we can get everything to green up like this once again. I would really like to see that.

To see massive florets from the Hummingbird Sage glowing all fuschia, and giant aqua leafed Dudleyas pouring out of the moist cracks in the rock, and with little orange newts crawling below, out from their high Chaparral winter homes eventually winding their way down to the little pools hundreds of feet below. And you must watch your step on the way back down, where you'll see them walking across the trail headed downhill, just before the full moon begins to rise!

Water Wise

       

Waiting on water use isn't wise
Re "Get tough on water use", Editorial Feb. 2 Los Angeles Times

       The "get tough" admonition is more than welcome. We should worry about the surprisingly complacent views expressed by Southern California water officials. We have enough water, the say. No problem yet.
This is not only complacent but irresponsible. Are we to wait until a severe crisis? We would be better served by some (perhaps painful) advance planning.
Raise water rates. Use the revenue for water recycling, rainwater capture, groundwater replenishment and conservation, among other things.
Update usage regulations to curb our wasteful habits and then enforce them.
Work with regional authorities to ensure Southern California's access to imported water.
      Above all, do something now. Don't wait until it is too late.

       -W.R. Frederick
        Tarzana

       And the hills are brown in February.

Above: O'Melveny Park in Granada Hills 2/3/2014. The native plants are hanging on despite the drought, the non-native grasses not so much, and it's time for So Cal residents and the water managers to get the message.

One Garden at a Time

Go Native

Re "Slaking SoCal's thirst," Opinion, Jan.23

       Metropolitan Water District of Southern California chief Jeffrey Kightlinger omits an important part of the demand side of the water equation: the need to use less water for residential landscape irrigation. Low-flow toilets and shower heads aren't enough.
         Half of residential water use in Southern California is for landscape purposes such as keeping our lawns green. But the nonnative green lawn is inappropriate for a region that averages just 15 inches of rain annually. Native California plants, once established, use about one-seventh as much water as a green lawn. Birds, butterflies, native bee species and many other native insects and animals depend on plants that belong in our local ecosystem. Additional benefits of native gardens include reduced runoff, no fertilizer use and reduced lawn waste to be collected.
      It's time to reclaim the California environment for native species, one garden at a time.
     
            -Daniel Fink
             Beverly Hills

The writer is a board member at the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants Inc.

from Los Angeles Times, Letters,  Sunday January 26, 2014

*Spotted my first wildflower of the season, one Blue Dick (Dichelostemma capitatum), while trekking through O'melveny Park in Granada Hills today.

New Kites on the Ranch

We have 4 new White-tailed Kites on the ranch! Notice their rusty neck and chests indicating they are juveniles. We hope that after the fire they will all find enough California Voles, their preferred food source.
Also, spotted is a Western Fence Lizard on Coyote Gourd and lots of Tarantula Hawks flying around There were 3 just on this one Milkweed plant.

Mishe Mokwa, California May 15 2013

Top. White-throated Swift (one of the fastest birds in the world)
Mid. Checlcedon Checkerspot
Bot. Yellow Mariposa Lily