Today's walk report: 013022

 A beautiful day with way too many people milling about. So, not much of a walk and virtually nothing on the picture front. Since I was on the phone with Docken I mostly talked about some stuff that had changed, died or hadn't been maintained in the local botanical garden.

A girl and a boy Calypte anna hummingbird, a mere 137 yards apart as the hummingbird flies. Will they find each other as spring approaches? Only time will tell.

I also picked up about a dozen agave pups from an area just outside of the garden that doesn't appear to have seen a gardener or maintenance person in a long time. The agave pups were falling on the concrete paths from several plants. These, however, were hand picked and will get potted in 4-7 days.

Meanwhile, Dimorphotheca sinuata (Cape marigold, Namaqualand daisy), flowers are blooming by the dozens everyday in front of and along the side of the house. This picture was taken moments ago under not ideal lighting conditions. Much of the green you see are more flower buds yet to open. The tall yellow flowers are Tecoma stans, that plant took off like a rocket after the recent rains. Other flowers--in yellow, Euryops and the tall shrub with deep orange flowers on the far right is Tecoma capensis, AKA, Cape honeysuckle. If you squint a little and notice the netting along the garage wall, that's an experiment in growing some sweet peas. It could be a bust on that one... we'll see. Hey! I'll let you know. Deal?

A Once Upon a Walk Report, previously mentioned and a week in the making, will probably get posted tomorrow.

Dear young person stumbling into this post at anytime: If there are books that adults who make decisions for you and don't want you to read them, especially books awarded for achievements in journalism, you need to make a special effort to find, read and treasure those books. You might want to pay special attention to this one.

Today's walk report: 012322

 Not much on the photo front today. It has been quite blustery all weekend with the famous Santa Ana winds rolling in and wreaking havoc. I mostly walked and talked with Docken on the phone.

However... there's always a mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos).

 Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were generally illusive and on at least one occasion, I wasn't paying attention.

It is my understanding that the only bird of prey local to me which will sometimes capture prey in flight are prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus). However, my overall impression of these seagulls flying amongst a pair of red-tailed hawks was... the seagulls seemed to scatter a bit in the hawks presence and why is the one red-tailed exposing its talons like that? There were at least 10 more seagulls than depicted here. This was the best grouping I could manage.

As I walked around the hillside I noticed smoke coming from the nearby neighborhood of Northridge. It wasn't until I saw this image that I was able to see the source location of the smoke, left side.

On a brighter note, before I left, I had some time with scrub jays, Bowie and Mr. B. No pictures of Mr. B today but here are two of Bowie.

Yesterday I dove into another Once Upon a Walk Report project. It's a folder of images from November 27, 2016 up through April 1, 2017. It's a big one starting off with 9,285 images. Here's a headline I just saw from 11/27/16... you can't make this shit up... Clinton campaign to participate in Wisconsin recount, Trump team says recount is a 'scam' run by 'sore losers,' and more. Anyway, I look forward to finishing the folder and making the post, perhaps mid-week.

Today's walk report: 011622

 Once again with Docken as my telephone companion. On the way into the campus we started discussing an area which was dedicated in 1970 (I remember this) and rededicated in 1995 as a Braille Trail, An All Access Sensory Trail. Doc and I were clued in that the general area was going to undergo some revitalization. We were told this by the curator of the botanical garden back in 2017. At that time most of this hunk of property, the school's horticulture department, was fenced off because some alleged nut-job was taking it upon himself to go in and allegedly plant trees. Quite frankly, at least to some degree, I can understand his motivation. Anyway, during our discussion I made note that it appeared to be "all clear" now and I decided to venture in. Without getting into specifics, I'll just say it doesn't seem as though a whole lot has been done to improve "Horticulture, 4900."

I took some pictures...

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

 
Low-hanging fruit.

Chrysanthemum x-morifolium

Polygala, either P. fruticosa or P. myrtifolia. (thanks Sis!)

Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

This is the same red-tailed hawk as above, on my way back out from the horticulture property.

Two turkey vultures overhead. Perhaps the two from last week?

A pair of crows too. (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Osteospermum. I have 12 Osteospermum plants growing from seed in my office closet right now. I'm just waiting to make sure there's no longer a threat of frost before they go outside. 

This northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) came in fast from near ground level. Unlike other woodpeckers they forage a lot on the ground. I had to fight the sun a bit to get a few shots off once it landed in this pine tree.

There was quite a bit more walking and while I mosied over to the botanical garden, I didn't find much else to take pictures of. I did happen to see the male Calypte anna hummingbird known as Dusty but I guess he wasn't in the mood for photos today. Here are two from the backyard at home, last day or two. First a female Calype anna and then a male Selasphorus sasin.

Today's walk report: 010922

 Turkey vulture couple. Cathartes aura.

Since turkey vultures mate for life I'm going to assume that these two are a couple. I took over 200 images and during much of that I imagined them talking to each other, once again thinking that they were thinking, Wish that dude with the camera would drop dead.

After the engagement with the turkey vultures I walked to the botanical garden. It was very quiet there so I decided to head up the hill. Along the way... There's always a mockingbird. Look familiar?

I saw a couple of hawks but no real opportunities for photographs so I headed home. Docken was on the phone with me so that was nice.

Coming back around the hill to the backside of where the turkey vultures were perched one was still hanging out. Did the other go for some take-out?

 

I thought to post something about this on Thursday, Jan. 6, when it happened but didn't get around to it so here's some filler from my early A.M. walk on January 6th.

Skunk!

Since walking early mornings once I felt comfortable again under the cloud of COVID back in May, I have had 7 skunk sightings, the well-known striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). I realized after the first one that I had never seen a live skunk before and I'm not quite sure if I've seen a dead one either. During the first encounter the skunk was running (are they always running?) directly toward me from the opposite side of the street. I thought about it for a moment or two... it's gonna keep going wherever it's going and will ignore me. If I keep on my side of the street, it'll be fine. Right? Then I turned, walking fast, then I looked behind me and broke into a short little jog. Since that experience and after a few more I read up on skunks. I actually learned more than I care to remember so I'm not even going to mention any of that here. But, did you know that skunks can spray stink from their anal grands at a distance of 15 feet and have sufficient supply for five consecutive discharges? I've decided, while I think they are a very handsome animal, I'd rather not have these rendezvous. 

This was at 7:04 A.M. I suspect this little fellow was late getting home. Find the skunk...

I imagined... what if the homeowner opened the front door right about now?

“Without you I am not worth a scent.” ~ Pepé Le Pew

Today's walk report: Happy New Year, 2022

 Docken and I walked together this morning, via telephone. She took off for the Ventura Pier while I started out in the car for about 3/4 mile and hoofed it from there. Both of us reported a really beautiful day. I thought there were a surprising number of people out walking considering a number of things. I was only close enough to a few to exclaim, happy new year! 

Here are some of the pictures I took...

Entering the botanical garden. I hardly ever see lone American bushtits (Psaltriparus minimus) but here was one. Antsy little birds, kind of tough to photograph.

Hummingbirds are generally easier to work with, especially Calypte anna hummingbirds. Although this one was competing for territory with another female and pursuits were disruptive.

 I've only noticed this particular iridescence when the females are highlighted by direct sunlight.

Same bird...

Heading out of the garden. I thought this was cute. I'm pretty sure it will remain unoccupied.

 Onward, heading up the hill in search of birds of prey in higher grounds...

 

Canada geese came flying in, heading for the lower fields. There were 3 or 4 waves, one after the other, at least 100 birds in total.

Another crow vs. red-tailed hawk adventure. The crow is always the aggressor. However, on this occasion the hawk seemed to be doing a little taunting.

The other side of the hill revealed signs of SoCal recent weather trends. Yes snow but also, more locally, clear skies.

It was a wonderful walk with great company. I just mapped it out and was a little surprised it was 2.2 miles, it seemed much shorter. 

While I have hope for a much better coming year than the last two, there isn't a whole lot I can base hopeful wishes upon. 2020 was surreal and 2021 was like diarrhea on acid. I'll make a parting request... be nice. Be kind to others. And if you can't be nice or kind, please just shut the fuck up. Thank you.