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.
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 […]
Two New Water Features
The GNG has two new water features in the back hillside garden, Installed a few months ago, they were pretty much ignored by wildlife. This was to be expected as wildlife needs to acclimate to changes in their surroundings. All it took was a little time. […]
Some are dainty eaters…
…others are not! California Scrub-Jays, like so many of our native birds, love live mealworms – and they are not shy about stuffing their beaks on each and every visit. The Oak Titmouse pictured in the banner above has quite the refined manners in comparison.