November 9, 2020 Santa Ynez Canyon Park
It's the time of year when it takes a bit of looking to really find interesting stuff. Our lack of rain--the five or so minutes of rain we got in my area on Saturday-- was not enough to jump start much of anything. Animals are not breeding or courting, insects and reptiles are dormant or hibernating for the most part and many plants have gone to seed or look dead.
That being said, I was able to add some observations for this place where I have visited many, many times. There are always plants overlooked as well as galls and fungi. I had hoped we would get sufficient rain to bring on the mushrooms but that will have to wait for another day.
At this time of year, the canyon only receives sun for a few hours each day--and that is in the sunny areas. Some areas barely get any sun. Thus it was cool and comfortable and much less windy than the weekend when it was pretty unpleasant outdoors.
My most interesting finds of the day were a California manroot already shooting out a stalk (this has to be very early for this species), some California dodder that was still somewhat in bloom and a ruby crowned kinglet that entertained me hopping on fennel branches right in front of me--looking for insects I imagine. This little guy was very tame and I actually got a full frame photo of him with my macro lens!
Finally, I found a strange little structure on a rock. It looks like a fungus however perhaps it is something created by an insect. So for one of the few times, I've actually labeled an observation as "life". We'll see what happens. I'm continually amazed at the knowledge of the people on this site.
In other news, someone from the Nevada department of fish and wildlife contacted me about using one of my photos for a promotion they are doing for a class on owl pellets. Though I don't have this photo posted on inaturalist, he found it on Flickr. The photo shows a great horned owl expelling a pellet. Yes, not the most palatable photo but definitely one that a lot of people do not have.
Observaciones
Fotos / Sonidos
Qué
Reyezuelo Matraquita (Corthylio calendula)Observ.
naturephotosuzeDescripción
Santa Ynez Canyon
This was the tamest bird I've seen in ages. I took this almost full frame photo with a 105 mm lens. He and a couple of other kinglets were busy eating something on the fennel plants
Fotos / Sonidos
Qué
Cabellos de Ángel (Cuscuta californica)Observ.
naturephotosuzeDescripción
Santa Ynez Canyon
Fotos / Sonidos
Qué
Chilicothe (Marah macrocarpa)Observ.
naturephotosuzeDescripción
Santa Ynez Canyon
Very surprised to see this sending out shoots so early. I don't think I've usually seen these til maybe late December or January
Fotos / Sonidos
Qué
Arañas (Orden Araneae)Observ.
naturephotosuzeDescripción
Santa Ynez Canyon
I found this white structure on this rock. It was attached firmly but could be depressed with the finger. I am not sure if it is something an insect created or if it is a strange fungus...any suggestions welcome
Comentarios
Nice post. Yes, it's that time of year when most things become harder to discover- but as you've shown, life can be found any time if you look hard enough! And I find that the things I see now are things I would be less likely to see at other times :)
Yes, it requires a lot of investigation to find stuff and you’re right. When everyone is blooming and insects abound, it’s easy to overlook the less showy things.
Wonderful. Yes, there's always something! I want to see that photo of the GHO :)
Maybe I’ll add it to inaturalist. I’ll let you know when I post it.
You inspired to check this trail out since I had to be in Santa Monica this morning anyway. Maybe it's because I've never been there before, but I felt as if the area was teeming with life. Plenty of birds scavenging for bugs and seeds, still flowers clinging onto their last blooms, and even a Baja California tree frog. Thanks for the ideas, it was nice to see a new place :)
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
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