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.
Neon Skimmers Locked in an Embrace
Dragonflies have been around for a very long time – approximately 300 million years! As they evolved, this copulatory position emerged to accommodate the placement of their sexual organs. Looks as though the GNG pond will be expecting Neon Skimmer nymphs very soon! Mating Neon Skimmer […]
Aphid Management
In the GNG, just like many other Los Angeles gardens, aphids can be quite the pest to a number of plant species. And although they are hard to combat organically, nature will sometimes lend a helping hand. Bushtit having an aphid meal. Adult ladybug […]
A Great Horned Owl’s Breakfast
This Great Horned Owl must have been active at first light to catch a California Ground Squirrel. Although Great Horned Owls will hunt into dawn, they are normally nocturnal hunters, so a diurnal ground squirrel is not usually on the menu. Unfortunately for the squirrel, that […]
Great Horned Owl Enjoys a Breezy July Afternoon
This California Walnut branch in the GNG is a favorite day-roost for the continuing Great Horned Owl family. The interesting thing about looking at footage from this trail camera is the amount of time these owls spend preening during the day. They apparently get by on […]
Black-headed Grosbeak Soaks Himself!
Black-headed Grosbeaks, another beautiful neo-tropical migrant breeder, bless us with their splendor during the spring and summer months. Here a male really gets into his bath!
Bathing Hooded Orioles
Hooded Orioles will begin leaving the Los Angeles area by mid-summer, heading down to their wintering grounds in Western Mexico. Adult males can begin leaving as early as late July, with females and juveniles beginning to depart in late August. Here two adults enjoy a […]
Providing Protein for Growing Chicks
Even late into June, many bird species are still feeding young, some on their second or third broods. The mealworm feeders are kept well stocked as appreciative parents collect food for their young. Six species visit the mealworm feeders regularly, including the elusive Wrentit. This remarkably […]
Packrat in the Garden
A California native, the nocturnal Big-eared Woodrat lives in dense vegetation, preferably in oak woodland habitat. To build their nest, they collect and accumulate sticks, leaves, bark or any available small object. Over time these nest-piles can become quite eclectic and grow very large in […]
Dragonfly takes over the Pond
Many insects take advantage of the GNG pond. Not only is this dragonfly taking advantage of the pond’s eco-system, it’s doing so by hunting the very insects that the pond attracts. Taking its size into account, nothing on earth can out-perform a dragonfly’s phenomenal aerial capabilities! Neon […]
European Honey Bee Management
Managing bees in the GNG is a constant issue. Although European Honey Bees are an important crop plant pollinator, they are as their name implies “non-native”. Our native bees (which for the most part are solitary, not social) have evolved to pollinate our native plants […]