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.
Hail hummingbirds
2023 has already thrown some wild weather at us. Rain, freezing temperatures, wind and hail. And when it hails, wildlife bolts for cover. But it didn’t take long for hummingbirds to start showing back up at the GNG feeders during this storm. Allan’s and Anna’s […]
Bobcat on fern trail
I know I posted an image from this same camera trap last month, but I was compelling to do it again. It’s an interesting image for two reasons. The obvious one is Bobcats are awesome! This is our resident female that is now in her […]
new “Fern Trail” Camera
I recently set up a camera trap on a newly formed trail leading into the Garden. I’m calling it the Fern Trail Cam. It didn’t take long to get a candid shot of these Common Raccoons. Not sure what’s going on here, but the scene […]
Now over 1800 species!
During 2022, I was able to add over 650 new animals to the GNG’s list, bringing the new total to 1835 species! The majority of these new species were arthropods, but we were able to add two new birds (Northern Harrier and Rock Wren) as […]
Mom with her spiderlings
Most wolf spiders “care” for their offspring, sometimes up until their first molt. I was able to get a good picture of this wolf spider (species unknown) carrying her spiderlings. While I was positioning her onto a white background some babies fell off, but they […]
GNG mentioned in September’s NatGeo!
The Gottlieb Native Garden is mention in September’s 2022 issue of National Geographic Magazine. The cover story In a warming climate, we need to radically rethink how we conserve nature focus on new strategies for conservation. From working on climate change, eliminating pollution and restoring ecosystems, […]
bluebirds, flycatchers and Zen
Over the years, we have installed dozens of nest boxes throughout the Garden. These boxes target secondary cavity nesters – species of birds that nest inside hollow spaces but have no means to excavate the hollow themselves (like woodpeckers can). Of the 8 species in […]
Bioluminescent Coleoptera
Tribe Mastinocerini Genus unknown Douglas Fir Glow-Worm Pterotus obscuripennis California Pink Glowworm Microphotus angustus Western Banded Glowworm Zarhipis integripennis As of today, four different species of fireflies (which are actually beetles) have been discoved in the Garden – who knew THAT was possible in Los […]
Skilton’s Skink
Skinks are relatively common in the Santa Monica Mountains, but that doesn’t mean they are commonly seen. Like Fence Lizards, Skilton’s Skinks are diurnal. But unlike Fence Lizards, they are extremely secretive. Their habit of traveling through leaf litter, underneath bark or in underground burrows […]
Thirsty Band-tailed Pigeons
In order to drink, most birds need to fill their lower beak with water and tilt their heads back in order for the liquid to enter their throats. Not true for birds in the family Columbidae (pigeons and doves). In the avian world, these birds […]