As the Gottlieb Native Garden’s naturalist, Scott Logan documents the ever-changing array of wildlife species as they vary with the garden’s blooms, seasons and migratory patterns. While bringing these observations to life for all to experience, he also coordinates scientific research projects, and monitors the overall health and biodiversity of the garden. The Naturalist’s Journal also highlights the work the Gottliebs and Scott are doing to educate and inspire people to start gardening for wildlife with native plants.
Some are dainty eaters…
…others are not! California Scrub-Jays, like so many of our native birds, love live mealworms – and they are not shy about stuffing their beaks on each and every visit. The Oak Titmouse pictured in the banner above has quite the refined manners in comparison.
Thermal Imaging
Finding nocturnal wildlife is always a challenge. One of our more high-tech devices used in the garden at night is a Thermal Imaging Scope. This device picks-up infrared light waves that are emitting from every object in our environment. These energy waves are scanned by […]
Cooper’s Hawk Takes Flight
This adult Cooper’s Hawk quickly scans the garden as light rain falls, most likely looking for a meal. Cooper’s Hawks are bird hunting raptors that try to surprise their prey with speed, but more often than not their position is given away by other animal […]
Molting Fence Lizard
Could this be a case of a lizard’s bad hair day? Fence lizards began emerging from their hiding places recently and now many are molting. This egg-laden female basked in the sun as she twisted and turned to speed along the process of shedding her […]
Hummingbird and Fuchsia-Flowering Gooseberry
Our winter rains finally arrived, and with them flowers on spring blooming plants. Here an Allen’s Hummingbirds takes advantage of the nectar provided by the blooms of Ribes speciosum.
Striped Skunk Fur Coloration
We captured an interesting image of a skunk a few weeks back. Although Striped Skunk’s coloration can vary, the amount of white in the inferred image looked greatly exaggerated. Compare the photos of skunks below: This week, another trail camera got a color shot of […]
UC Davis Tag Reader
The GNG hummingbirds have adopted Lisa Tell’s tag reader – it’s working so well that next week we’ll have two units set-up. Can’t wait for Lisa and her crew to start crunching the data – this is the COOLEST study ever!
November Moths
We were out in the garden last night; so many beautiful things can be found after the sun sets.
Sun Rises Over Downtown Los Angeles
Threatening skies didn’t bring any rain today, but did make for a beautiful backdrop to the hummingbird feeders…
Late Afternoon Black Phoebe
We have a sweet, new bird hunting insects in the garden – we couldn’t be happier!