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.
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!
Munias Have Returned
Scaly-breasted Munia or Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch or Spotted Finch With its many names, this non-native bird (endemic to Asia) might be best called by its latin name Lonchura punctulata. It has been added to the California Bird Records Committee State List with the common […]
Turkey Vulture
Although we have never seen one in the garden itself, Turkey Vultures are seen often soaring above the GNG. Easily identified by their characteristic wobbly, unsteady flight (when they have empty stomachs), Turkey Vultures ride thermals to conserve energy, usually while in the pursuit of […]
Brown Widow Spider
Below, a Brown Widow Spider waits for prey in its seemingly haphazard tangle web, the typical design of all comb footed spider webs. A recent spider survey in the GNG found well over 100 Brown Widows, and not a single Black Widow. It is not […]
Displaying Painted Tiger Moth
This is the time of year to find tiger moths in Los Angeles – and there is no shortage of them in the GNG. If you give them a little nudge while they are trying to find a mate, you might be surprised when they […]
Teenage Great Horned Owl
A pair of Great Horned Owls raised two chicks in the GNG this past season. We were lucky enough to watch as the youngsters learned the ways of our urban jungle. Their parents drove them off about a month ago as they will tolerate chicks […]