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.
Geometrid Moth Caterpillar
Some animals are masters of camouflage, like this geometrid moth caterpillar. Not only is their skin cryptically patterned, but while they are at rest, these caterpillars hold their bodies in such a way as to resemble a twig. It’s easy to see how predators (mostly […]
Peregrine Falcon!
What an amazing raptor experience we had in the garden today! During the past four years, I have seen a Peregrine Falcon only twice while in the GNG. Today a Peregrine decided to come to the yard for a hunt. After a successful high-speed stoop, […]
with summer comes the diversity of native bees
Along with the longer, warmer days have come a diversity of native bees. A personal favorite of mine would be the cellophane bees. From now until late summer, look for these black and gold gems in your native garden – they are absolutely beautiful. Slevin’s […]
June Nocturnal Session in the Garden
June’s nocturnal species review went well, and coincidently, June Beetles were all over the blacklight sheets. For a few weeks every summer (within the months of May, June and July in our area) June Beetles (or Junebugs as some people call them) emerge for their […]
Hank the Bobcat
We are now capturing images of our beloved Hank (NPS Bobcat B346) on a regular basis. You’ll notice clearly in this video that he is collard. The radio collar was put on the cat back in Oct. of 2016 by the National Park Service. They […]
Cobalt Milkweed Beetle
Found throughout Western North America, the Cobalt Milkweed Beetle looks as though it could be from a distant tropical jungle. With its iridescent cobalt blue exoskeleton and clubbed antennae, this gorgeous beetle is an example of the beauty that can be found in a California […]
Skunk Encounters
Striped Skunks have such a bad reputation for spraying whomever they encounter. That is the last thing they want to do. Skunks do not have an unlimited supply of the smelly stuff and must “recharge” once it sprays. If it completely depletes his scent glands […]
Migrating Western Tanagers
The Western Tanager, another one of our beautiful Neotropical birds, is usually seen in our area during spring migration. This tanager ranges farther north than any other tanager and can be found all the way into Canada, breeding in open coniferous and mixed woodlands forests. […]
Striped Racer
The most common snake in the GNG is the California Striped Racer – Coluber lateralis lateralis. Being diurnal, it is often seen foraging during the day with its head and forward part of its body held up off the ground as it searches for its […]
Western Kingbird
Two kingbird species are common to the Los Angeles area, Cassin’s and Western. Cassin’s Kingbirds can be found year-round, while Western Kingbirds are migratory and arrive here in Spring from the neotropics to breed. We have yet to have either of these species stay any […]