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.
Great Horned Owl at Daybreak
The Garden’s Great Horned Owls are very active, now spending most of the night hunting in the garden. They must be feeding chicks as they are starting their hunt early in the evening and can still be seen at daybreak. We have searched a few times […]
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.