After the Fire - Calabasas, CA

Fire.
We all dread it.
There's nothing like suddenly smelling smoke from a wildfire.
 Where is it? Is it close?

This one was just a few miles away. Car accident into a power pole.

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Brushfires burn hot and fast in the bone dry chaparral in Southern California. 

Our native oaks and black walnut trees have seen it before.
 They scorch, but still stand.

white ash covers the hill

the leaves may burn but the young walnuts survive

Using the highway as a firebreak, the firefighters stopped the 500+ acre blaze from burning homes and businesses.  

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Watching Valley Carpenter Bees  (California)

Catch a View and Catch a Pike, Squanga Lake, Yukon, Canada 

and more!

Backyard Breakfast Buddies - Reptile Style!

A rescued California desert tortoise  (Gopherus agassizii) gives a little buddy a ride to breakfast.

This 2 1/2 inch long baby western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) also known as a blue-belly) is only a few weeks old, scratching out a living during Southern California's summer drought.

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The the tiny western fence lizard jumped from the

white stone to the tortioses' shell.

 Maybe the lizard mistook the tortoise for another rock?

Rideshare! It's one way to save energy!

Did you know that desert tortoises have pink tongues?

 and wide nostrils to sniff out food!

 Want to know more?

This Morning in a Habitat Yard (CA desert tortoise)

Watching Lizards in Southern California (western fence lizard & southern alligator lizard)

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TheEarthMinute.com

Arroyo Seco - Angeles National Forest - a little water for a thirsty world

Switzer Picnic Area in Angeles National Forest has a beautiful hiking path (Gabrieleno trail) along the tree lined stream bed of the Arroyo Seco. 

The Arroyo Seco or "dry stream" is an important watershed in southern California.

Although this stream can be seasonal, the plant and animal community it supports needs the moisture under the rocky bed all through the year.

Listen to the stream on the last week of spring.

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A good place to bird, too!

Fee: Adventure Pass required for vehicles.

Elevation: 3,300 feet

From the 210 Freeway exit at Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) and head north about 9.5 miles to the picnic area on the right.

"While on a trail or in and around campgrounds and picnic areas, dogs must be kept on a leash. In addition, your dog must wear a collar with current tags at all times, as state and county laws apply on National Forest System lands."

 

For more wild spots near Los Angeles, visit us here  at 

TheEarthMinute.com

 

Look at the sunset: Winter Solstice 2014 Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve

Los Angeles DOES have seasons! Subtle, but specific.

View the stunning sunset at the Winter Solstice for 2014 at the 

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.

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 Hikers can get access to the park at the Victory Trailhead at the western terminus of Victory Boulevard in West Hills, CA.

Keri and Michael from The Earth Minute have been here many times. 

 But what a sunset!

Take a walk through the Los Virgenes Open Space from earlier in 2014.

 

Visit us every week to watch more at: TheEarthMinute.com

 

Click For more on the Las Virgenes Open Space.