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.
Cooper’s Hawk at Lower Tub
Cooper’s Hawks are extremely fond of GNG and the variety of birds it attracts. Cooper’s Hawks main diet almost exclusively consist of birds smaller than itself. This may frighten some native gardeners, but one must always rely on the balance already provided by nature. Cooper’s […]
Black-throated Gray Warbler Spotted
It amazes us how GNG is still attracting new species of birds we have never caught before on our cameras. At a quick glance one could over look this black-throated gray warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) as a sparrow or perhaps a Bewick’s wren. In chatting with […]
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are many people’s favorite bird, but among gardeners sometimes they receive a bad rap. Yet, woodpeckers perform many duties for the native garden including tree parasite removal, nest excavating and store caches of food other species utilize. Though some eat more insects than others, […]
Water PLEASE
This summer has been very hot for an extended period of time, so we decided to see who comes to our lower basin for a drink. As you will see…lots of animals do.
Great Horned Owl Fledlings Playing
Need we say more…..
A Single Wood Rat Tunnel
We directed the attention of our video camera on a single auxiliary tunnel of a dusky foot wood rat (Neotoma fuscipes) to see who came and went. The towhee was a given, but the show put on by the squirrel was unexpected. How could you […]
Coyote Couple Sniffing Around
At night coyotes are active on and patrol of their territory.
Daytime Coyote
Coyotes’ coats are more colorful then people would assume. This camo helps them blend into the arid hillsides of Southern California. Yet, in the bright morning light, against the green grass, we can get a rare glimpse at its detail.
Northern "Bullock’s Oriole
GNG is proud to have captured our first Northern Oriole. Bullock’s are part of the Emberizidae family which also includes blackbirds, meadowlarks and grackles. This bird likes woodlands and spaces with shade. Northern orioles can be found throughout the United States and may be in […]
Can you spot the California Quail?
Quail flow in and out of the garden in flocks ranging from 6 to 20 birds, eating seeds and scurrying around the under brush. The combination of cool/quiet morning and native flora highly increase your chances of seeing California’s state bird in our garden or […]