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.
Sleepy Doe
This doe has been having a morning nap in this spot for the past couple of weeks – always making her bed before lying down. We all want a comfy place to sleep, right? Apparently so does a Mule deer.
Underwing Moth
This underwing moth (Catocala piatrix is my guess) has been lucky to escape danger, evident by the piece missing from its wing. Butterflies and moths are prey for a lot of animals, so it always makes me happy to see beat-up, tattered wings on these […]
Kittens in 2021?
This female Bobcat first appeared in the garden about a year ago, joining our collard male that has now been around for over three years. She likes to use this trail to exit the garden; I haven’t been able to pin down where she enters […]
Pins Siskins are back!
Pine Siskins are uncommon in the Los Angeles Basin – when they will appear is unpredictable. Well, they arrived last week in a big way. It’s not exactly known why these mountain birds will move down-slope in such large numbers. It’s been over 4 years […]
Western Spotted Orbweaver
September has arrived and with it comes the orbweaver spiders! One of the more beautiful “orbs” in the garden is the Western spotted orbweaver. Fantastic how an animal so ornate can still camouflage itself extremely well.
Plume Moth
Plume moths are just cool.
Striped Skunks on Block Wall Trail
After doing mandatory fire clearance earlier this spring, this trail had stopped being used by nocturnal mammals. Now that some of the shrubs have grown back and provided cover, the path is starting to see some paw traffic.
Hooded Oriole season is nearly over
Sadly, Hooded Orioles will begin their departure from California any day now. The adult males will head out first, then in few weeks, mom and her kids will depart. Right now, adults and fledglings alike are fatting-up in advance of their 2000 mile southeast-ward journey […]
The Garden’s Great Horned Owls
The garden’s resident pair of Great Horned Owls has been doing their back and forth duet calls in the late afternoon for over two weeks now. I don’t ever remember them being so vocal this early in the day for such a constant period of time. […]
Western tiger swallowtail and Catalina cherry
A female Western tiger swallowtail recently laid her eggs on one of the Catalina cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii) bushes. A few weeks have passed and there is now many larvae munching away on the leaves. This plant produces some of my most favorite eatables […]