Walk Among The Oaks on the Autumnal Equinox

To walk among valley oaks (Quercus lobata) and coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) is to travel back in time. 

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These trees are hundreds of years old. Some of them watched the first Spanish explorers and gave limbs for the construction of Mission San Fernando.

These oak trees are not just beautiful, their shade is a cool oasis on hot days. Resident acorn woodpeckers tap on their limbs. Squirrels frolic and butterflies soar. Migrating birds seek out this ancient oak woodland for food and rest. Wilson's warblers, lark sparrows, western wood-peewees, and a Pacific wren were all visiting among the trees. 

valley oak acorn

Orcutt Ranch Park preserves this slice of ancient California. Walk among the oaks, hold an acorn in your hand, and realize experience the community of life dependent upon these trees. 

For more on Orcutt Ranch Park - one of Los Angeles' Hidden Gardens

More Earth Minutes where you can discover oak trees.
Visit Conejo Valley Botanical Garden 
Hiking Los Virgenes Open Space, CA  
Stroll Rocky Oaks Park
Oaks Involved in Calabasas Fire 2016 
Ancient Oak in Red Bluff, CA 

Plunge Into a California Tide Pool

Take minute to cool off and unwind with the creatures of a California tide pool. 

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California's kelp forests and tide pools are filled with biodiversity, color and patterns. Look for the bat star, ochre sea star, the sea star's tube-shaped relative the sea cucumber, California's state saltwater fish–the garibaldi (it's the same color as our state flower the golden poppy), a small swell shark and more.

These creatures represent the vibrant community of life found in California's tide pools and kelp forests. See them up close at the Channel Island National Park Visitor Center.

some fish hide in plain site

For more Earth Minutes on sea life:

Visit a Kelp Forest at CA Science Center
Birds and Marine Mammals of CA Channel Islands
Swim Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Sea birds of the Great Barrier Reef
Meet the Dugong

Float back each week for a new Earth Minute.

Walking the Los Angeles River Thru Atwater Village

We've left the San Fernando Valley and we're headed toward downtown Los Angeles. Even here, the Los Angeles River continues to surprise us.

Looking up the Los Angeles River from the Los Feliz Blvd. Bridge

At first glance the Los Angeles River's cement sides suggest flood canal, but no one has told the wildlife. Willows, reeds, and palms are establishing themselves and providing habitat.

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Art painted on a bridge support.

We continue to see a variety of water fowl and birds (34 species in this section). But for the first time we saw a coyote and Canada geese in the River.

The bridge at Los Feliz Blvd. offers easy viewing of the River. There is close parking at the Community Golf Course and a cute food establishment.

Closed access, due to El Nino flood control measures, caused us to cross the River several times and to reroute through adjacent neighborhoods, but we soon found the river walkway again.

We ended at the Marsh Street Nature Center–a hidden treasure with lovely walkways, native plants, a skate park, and a large mosaic rattlesnake sculpture. Just a quarter of a mile further we stopped in at the local Spoke Bicycle Cafe right off the L.A. River Bikeway at N. Coolridge Ave. More photos by Douglas Welch

This area is dog friendly (on a leash), but be sure to give right of way to bicyclists. 

Discover a section of the Los Angeles River near you.
Discover the Headwaters of the Los Angeles River (least sandpipers, American crows) 
Walking the L.A. River - West San Fernando Valley (killdeer, mallards, American crows)
Discover L.A. River at Sepulveda Basin (red-tailed hawk, Canada geese, American wigeon)
Sepulveda Basin - An Earth Minute in One Spot (American coot, double-crested cormorant, song sparrow)
Wildlife at L.A. River - Glendale Narrows (American wigeon, greater yellowlegs, black-necked stilt)
 

Where will you find your EARTHMINUTE ?

Wildlife at The Glendale Narrows of the Los Angeles River

Los Angeles River at Glendale Narrows

Walking the Los Angeles River continues to surprise us. 

The curve of the River as it leaves the San Fernando Valley and heads toward the center of Los Angeles is called the Glendale Narrows.

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A small section has a natural bottom, rather than concrete, and the sweep of the curve, slows the water's flow. Together these aspects create another wildlife oasis.

black-necked stilts feeding in the River

As we walked with friends, we met a gentleman admiring the black-necked stilts. These tall black-and-white birds with pink legs are quite graphically beautiful. Our fellow birder turned out to be wildlife and landscape artist Andrew Peters who was opening an exhibit at the Autry Museum that afternoon as part of Masters of the American West 2016. He was visiting from Iowa and was stunned to find such diversity of bird life in the center of our metropolis. He took several photos of the stilts for a possible painting.

Downtown Los Angeles is now in view

We all agreed that the Los Angeles River is a treasure. Its a shame more people don't recognize the habitat it provides. 

Come down to the River and see for yourself. 

We're headed toward downtown and eventually Long Beach and the sea.

More Earth Minutes Walking the Los Angeles River
Discover the Headwaters of the Los Angeles River (least sandpipers, American crows) 
Walking the L.A. River - West San Fernando Valley (killdeer, mallards, American crows)
Discover L.A. River at Sepulveda Basin (red-tailed hawk, Canada geese, American wigeon)
Sepulveda Basin - An Earth Minute in One Spot (American coot, double-crested cormorant, song sparrow)

Discover a new Earth Minute weekly

Find Your Earth Minute - Stop in One Place

The Earth Minute is all about taking a moment to connect with the world around you. Linger in one place for a few minutes and be amazed at the life around you.

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Looking for just a few minutes at one spot at Sepulveda Wildlife Basin we spotted:

• American coots
• song sparrow
• double-crested cormorant
• mosquito fish
• a true bug

You can find an Earth Minute anywhere, just stop and focus outside of yourself.

Green ant

More Earth Minutes with...
The tiny: Green Ants; Valley Carpenter Bee, Illinois Butterflies
The shy: Bewick’s wrens, Great Horned Owl Taking Shelter

The common: Western Fence Lizards, Los Angeles River
The unusual: Strange Art on an Australian Beach, Wind Across Mongolia, Encounter with a Lace Monitor, Trees Dreaming

Another Moment in One Place
More of Sepulveda Basin and the Los Angeles River 

Go Find Your Earth Minute

Discover The L.A. River at Sepulveda Basin

Los Angeles River west of Balboa Blvd.

As the Los Angeles River heads to the ocean, this is the first section that has a “soft” or natural bottom. Most of the concrete disappears and the River is allowed to strive for wildness.

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You can easily walk this section along a dirt road/path from Lake Balboa to the Sepulveda Dam. The flow of the river slows and vegetation provides habitat. We were surprised to find wetlands between one of the golf courses and the River. 

American wigeons and mallards

Birds abound here; we saw 42 species including the Canada geese, red-tailed hawk, American coots, American wigeons, mallards, snowy egrets, and a great blue heron highlighted in the video.

The fish in the river with flashy silver sides were counted by agency biologists on December 1, 2015 and found to be introduced tilapia. While the tilapia provide food for native birds, they are not a native species. Biologists are hoping the potential El Niño will wash these rapidly increasing non-native fishes out of the river. See the article in the L.A. Times.

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lariver-fish-el-nino-20151122-story.html

Native fish species were decimated when the River was cemented in the 1930s. Restoring the River means helping native fish reestablish populations. Wouldn’t it be a major success to have steelhead and salmon return to spawn in the Los Angeles River?

My favorite stretch of the River, just above the Sepulveda Dam

Discover more of the Los Angeles River:
L.A River Headwaters
Walking the L.A. River - San Fernando Valley

Up-close with a snowy egret
Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve

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Celebrate a positive moment with the planet.

Band-tailed Pigeons take over Feederwatch!

Band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) are some of the larger  native birds we find in our backyard. 

Flocks of over 35 at a time have come to jostle each other and eat in shifts from our feeder.

 

 
They usually eat acorns, nuts and small fruit that grows wild in the neighborhood.

 

But they LOVE the shelled peanuts in the bottom of the feeder tray!!

Visit us at TheEarthMinute.com!  

And view more in Southern California:

Honey Bees in a Lemon Tree 

This Morning In a Habitat Yard 

Backyard Breakfast Buddies - Reptile Style 

Ring-necked Snake in the Garden

This Morning in a Habitat Yard 

Walking the L.A. River - West San Fernando Valley

Bridge at Tampa, decorated with river related wildlife

Yes, there is a Los Angeles River.

I started walking the river from its Headwaters in Canoga Park and some friends became interested. 

Walk along with us from Winnetka to the bridge at Tampa and the end of the Bike Trail at the Vanalden footbridge.




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Each bridge and section has its own artistic style. Here there were decorative leaf patterns.

We saw 13 species of birds, including a pair of killdeer, American crows, white-crowned sparrows, lesser goldfinches and the group of least sandpipers that I saw further up the river.

We had a great walk. Native plants in the landscaping were blooming, including wild roses, desert morning glory, and more. For more photos of the flowers check out my friend Douglas Welch's blog.

We're almost to the area where the creeks from the Chatsworth area join the river. Hike Limekiln Canyon Park, CA (Pacific tree frog, western fence lizard)

Discover more places around Los Angeles 
to experience your own Earth Minute.

Visit TheEarthMinute.com weekly for a new 1-minute escape.

Discover the Headwaters of the Los Angeles River

Do you know the L.A. River? Really?

Discover the River walkway from the Headwaters to DeSoto Ave.

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They say the river begins where Bell Creek and the Calabasas Arroyo combine. Since the 1940s that location has been fixed just north of the intersection of Owensmouth and Vanowen in Canoga Park. (Just a skip away from the Topanga Mall.)

yarrow

The sculpted 'V' of the waters coming together forms a jut of land that is topped with the Canoga Park High School sports field. From Owensmouth east, a foot path has been added along the River. Native plants provide habitat for butterflies and birds, while thin riffles of water flow over narrow sandbars on a cement stream bed. 

It's quite beautiful really: the lines of the bridges, sweeping fins of concrete, heron-themed gateways.  

During a walk from Owensmouth to DeSoto and back, I saw a variety of bird species, including yellow-rumped warblers, a pair of white-crowned sparrows, and a black phoebe. 

small group of migrating least sandpipers

 Least sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) were stopping to feed on watery insects. While, American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) played 'catch the stone' mid-air over the water.

There were views of the Santa Susana and Santa Monica Mountains, where the water originates.

Benches built along the pathway offer respite for a thoughtful moment. Trash cans and dog waste stations are plentiful. Walk the north side of the River and the path will take you under Canoga Ave.

I'm excited to embrace the L.A. River as a place to visit, but this ideal is fragile. Neglect and trash can quickly mar the opportunity. Let's take ownership of our river. Use the plentiful trash cans and dog stations. We have a chance to recreate something soulful and living. Let's not allow apathy and ignorance to destroy this chance for a Walk by the River.

Discover more walks with wildlife around Los Angeles
Hidden Gardens of L.A.

Other Rivers and Streams:
Hike Limekiln Canyon Park, CA (Pacific tree frog, western fence lizard) 
Malibu Creek - Feel the Cool in Malibu Creek State Park, CA 
Arroyo Seco - Angeles National Forest
Discover Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA  
The Voices of a River - (Lamoille Canyon, Ruby Mountains, Nevada)
Floating the Outlet Stream - Squanga Lake, Yukon, Canada (arctic grayling)
Take a Cruise on the Yellow Water, Kakadu, Australia (birds & saltwater crocodile)

Visit weekly for a New Earth Minute.

   

Walk Mulholland Hwy, Santa Monica Mts, CA

Looking for easy hiking terrain and great views of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley? 

Mulholland Drive / Hwy is a famous road in Los Angeles. It winds its way from the Hollywood Hills overlooking downtown, along the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains and eventually to the sea near Leo Carrillo Beach. But a section has never been paved and is maintained as a fire-fighting access road. The wide dirt road is closed to vehicles and makes for easy walking with fantastic views.

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Walk the southern end of Mulholland's unpaved section with us in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. 

Take in the colors of the chaparral hillsides. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, especially birds. And be amazed by the spring wildflowers even in a drought year.

Golden stars (Boomeria crocea) are a native California chaparral wildflower, most closely related to lilies. The small amount of rain we had this spring was enough to encourage these ephemeral blooms to send up a flower stalk.

Other chaparral wildflowers: coyote mint, buckwheat, bush monkey flower, and more.

The manroot or wild cucumber (Marah fabaceus) is one of California's few native vines. It produces lemon-sized prickly seed pods that dry and burst open to spread the seed. The entire vine dies back, but the root lives on underground. Sometimes reaching the size of a person. It's a perfect adaptation for survival in a land of summer drought.

The dirt road is open to people, dogs, and horses. Rattlesnakes can be present. For the safety of dogs and wildlife, PLEASE keep dogs on a leash.

Side trails abound, be alert for mountain lions.

More Hiking in the Los Angeles Area
More California Wildlife

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Come Whale Watching off the Coast of California

We set out on a sunny February afternoon for a cruise out of Ventura, California.

Come whale watching with us! 

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Two California Gray Whales swimming together

Each whale's tail has different markings, so individual can be identified with a good pair of binoculars, or a good camera.

It was a beautiful time on the water with Island Packers Cruises!

For more travels in California or around the World, 
join us at TheEarthMinute.com

Hike Limekiln Canyon Park, CA

Take a hike into a California riparian habitat: Limekiln Canyon on the north edge of the San Fernando Valley.

My friend Kerry introduced me to this oak glen and creek-side trail. In moments you leave the traffic behind and enter a peaceful edge of wildness.

native sunflower species

Especially in spring there are wildflowers–lupine, sage, and native sunflowers–and a variety of wildlife.

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Preserved between housing tracts, Limekiln Canyon has a scattering of introduced plant species, but still there are stately sycamores and coast live oaks helping to provide homes for resident species and migratory visitors. 

western fence lizard

We spotted four species of native lizards–including scads of western fence lizards, nineteen bird species–including Bewick's wrens and a varied thrush. We watched a cottontail cross the old-road pathway and saw ten species of native butterflies.

Perhaps most exciting was the small Pacific tree frog or Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla) that we caught on video. Listen for their loud call that seems much too big for a frog about the size of the end of your thumb. Keep an eye open for the European honey bees that have taken up residence in an old oak tree. Most of all enjoy a walk through habitat shared by wildlife and humans.

• Open Dawn to Dusk.
• No drinking water or restrooms, but picnic tables available.
• Trails unimproved, but old roads provide wide walking areas.
• Dogs welcome on leash. Rattlesnakes can be present. Respect the safety of wildlife, keep dogs leashed.

Other hiking locations in the L.A. area:
Los Virgenes Open Space
Malibu Beach
Walk to The Getty
L.A. Hidden Gardens

Visit The Earth Minute.com

each week for a new one minute adventure.

Visit a Kelp Forest at California Science Center - Hidden Gardens of L.A. #5

Some gardens are underwater. In the heart of Los Angeles, the California Science Center offers an opportunity for everyone to experience the wonder of a California kelp forest. 

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Kelp forests are a vital marine ecosystem providing important resources and protection for fish species and other marine life.

male California sheepshead (Semicossyphus pulcher)

  Look For:

• Close-up tanks: Allowing you to see crustaceans, anemones, and small fish up close
• Fish Identification Charts highlighting the variety of coastal fish species
• SeaFood Watch Interactive Kiosk: Sit down at a lunch counter and discover how you can help keep oceans healthy by making wise seafood choices.
• Interactive Games: Be a barnacle and experience the challenge of a stationary creature trying to catch its food.

Special Opportunities:
A Touch Table on the outdoor observation deck offers a hands-on opportunity to experience kelp forest and tide pool creatures. The Kelp Forest is just one Ecosystem highlighted at the California Science Center. You can also explore Islands, Deserts, and more.

A food court within the Science Center.

The Specifics:

• Open: Daily 10 AM - 5 PM, FREE admission
• Parking: Ample $10 parking adjacent to the Science Center; Also accessible via the Metro Expo Line (exit at the Expo Park/USC station and walk .2 miles south of the Rose Garden).
• Restrooms: Numerous
• Kid Friendly: The California Science Center is designed for kids (of all ages)
• Accessibility: Readily accessible with elevators to the different floors
• Dogs: No dogs allowed.
• Restrictions: Weekends and school holidays can be busy. Special exhibits and the Space Shuttle Endeavor require paid or timed tickets.

More Information: http://californiasciencecenter.org/

Discover more Hidden Gardens in the Los Angeles Area

• Visit Conjeo Valley Botanical Garden
• Visit Pierce College Botanical Garden
• Visit Malibu Legacy Park
• Visit Orcutt Ranch Park
• Discover Southern California

Visit The Earth Minute weekly to experience a one minute adventure.

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.  

Watching a Snowy Egret

If you just watch an animal for a minute, you can understand so much more about it. Watch this snowy egret (Egretta thula) feeding in shallow water and you will understand why it has long legs, a long beak, and yellow feet.

The snowy egret is a common bird along California waterways. It is frequently mistaken for a great egret, a larger white wading bird with a yellow beak and black feet. The snowy egret's feet are its calling card–black legs with bright yellow feet.

Watch the video and you will understand why its yellow feet are an important adaptation.

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This snowy egret was easily observed at Malibu Legacy Park. See  more about Malibu Legacy Park one of Los Angeles' Hidden Gardens.

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Visit Malibu Legacy Park - Hidden Gardens L.A. #2

Take an opportunity to visit California habitat in an easy to access native garden. The Legacy Park Wallis Annenberg Habitats (or Malibu Legacy Park) showcases six iconic California habitats: coastal praire, woodlands, coastal bluffs, riparian corridor, wet meadow and a vernal pool.

snowy egret (Egretta thula)

While the woodlands are still far from established, the other habitats have quickly grown since the park's opening in 2010 and wildlife has been quick to move in. You can almost always see egrets and herons, as well as a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. The bridge over the Riparian Corridor offers close viewing of feeding birds if you are quiet. Watch for the snowy egret's yellow feet in the video. It uses its feet to kick up invertebrates in the water. The bright color of its feet helps the bird avoid grabbing its own toe.

If live creatures are elusive, a variety of native California animals are depicted as mosaic sculptures. You'll think better of California kingsnakes and western toads when you see them beautifully depicted in these large pieces of art.

This is a great native garden for birding and strolling. Designed to filter urban run-off water back into the environment, Legacy Park is a great example of actions benefiting people, wildlife, and the environment.

Look For:

• Mosaic sculptures of California native species & bronze sculptures of people
• Informational signage
• Native plants
• Variety of mammals and birds (Including desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) and California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi); snowy egret (Egretta thula), great egret (Ardea alba), and introduced great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus))

Special Opportunities: Migratory birds stop here in spring and fall, including small flocks of western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) in the coastal prairie area. Winter months can bring Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata) and Northern shoveler ducks (Anas clypeata).

A variety of restaurants are only a block away at the Malibu Country Mart.

The Specifics:

• Open - Daily, 8 AM to Sunset; Free to the public
• Parking - Plenty. Parking is more accessible if you approach from the north. From Pacific Coast Hwy, turn in at Webb Way and turn right (or south) on Civic Center Way. Parking will be on your right, along the park's edge
• Restrooms - No, but drinking fountains are available
• Kid Friendly - Absolutely, a wonderful place to explore
• Accessibility - All pathways are wheelchair friendly, but some are unpaved
• Dogs - Welcome on a leash, watch for coyotes and rattlesnakes
• Restrictions - Parking is more plentiful in the morning and late afternoon

For More Information: official park webpage

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

Visit another Hidden Garden of L.A. - Orcutt Ranch Park