Not that long ago, I wrote a post called “Feeding gulls is for the birds,” explaining the pointlessness of feeding gulls bread crumbs because they will eat anything. Now I have evidence! The above photo features a Western gull eating an ochre sea star. Dinner isn’t going down smoothly, but that doesn’t stop a gull.… [read more]
Feeding gulls is for the birds
During President’s Day weekend, I decided it was time to head to El Matador Beach. It’s one of my favorite beaches near Los Angeles to just sit and stare at the waves crashing against really cool rock formations. Also, since it’s 10 miles north of Malibu, El Matador is much less busy than Venice or… [read more]
Hummingbird feeder project delayed
Alas, my hummingbird feeder project has been delayed. Right after I wrote about scoring a hummingbird feeder during a white elephant gift exchange, painters showed up to “touch up” the apartment building and fix the roof. Both of these activities involve a lot of loud talking, ladder dragging, and stomping around on the roof. Basically,… [read more]
A hummingbird holiday
One of the surprise treats I received during Christmas was a hummingbird feeder! Technically, I didn’t receive the hummingbird feeder as a gift, I stole it from another person who opened it during a white elephant gift exchange. Thankfully, the person who opened the hummingbird feeder didn’t really want it anyway. (White elephant gift exchanges… [read more]
Update on Easy Reader column
It all started with the California sea lion and ended with the black crowned night heron…or did it? Many people reading this website first found me through my Wild Things column in the Easy Reader, which launched in June of 2009. Having the chance to write Wild Things was an awesome opportunity for me and… [read more]
Imagine the turkey as our national emblem
Tomorrow is turkey day, but what if everyday was turkey day in the USA? This almost became reality years ago when Congress was in the process of designing a national seal. Benjamin Franklin happened to be a strong proponent for the wild turkey to serve as the national emblem. I first came across this bit… [read more]
Bird friendly tree trimming
One of my biggest pet peeves in Los Angeles is the way trees are trimmed. I always think of a trim as a clip, clip here and clip, clip there, not a chop, chop here and a chop, chop there. But unfortunately for trees all over the Los Angeles area, the chop, chop is how… [read more]
Sequoia the bald eagle
During Cabrillo Marine Aquarium‘s Autumn Sea Fair, I had the chance to meet Sequoia the bald eagle. Sequoia is an “animal ambassador” for the San Francisco Zoo, a job she is perfect for since she is already dressed to impress in the power suit of the bird kingdom. Her demeanor in the presence of many… [read more]
Rescued barn owls released into the wild
I finally have a great reason to write about owls! Yesterday, two barn owls were released into the wild after being raised in captivity for nine months. The owls were orphaned when they were three months old and rescued by South Bay Wildlife Rehab. Barn owls are also referred to as common barn owls or… [read more]
Wildlife photographer Michael Daniel Ho is back from Alaska
Michael Daniel Ho, wildlife photographer extraordinaire, is back from Alaska. In this post, he shares Alaska traveling tips, wildlife hotspots, weather advisories, and much more. Not to mention, four amazing photos from his trip featuring: a humpback whale breaching (photographed in Juneau), killer whales (photographed in Resurrection Bay), a grizzly bear cub (photographed in Haines),… [read more]