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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)Observer
garyflandersDescription
What are they? Found in wooded area
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Hairy Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon trichocalyx)Observer
garyflandersDescription
For the life of me I can’t recall what this is. A little help please. This one was found on the Woodland Trail in Big Bear. They are all over.
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Onions (Genus Allium)Observer
garyflandersDescription
I know it is in the Allium family, but which one?
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Ants (Family Formicidae)Observer
garyflandersDescription
Would I be correct to call these bark beetles?
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Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)Observer
garyflandersPlace
Missing LocationDescription
Hey wait a minute...why is there a Roadrunner up here in the San Bernardino National Forest, walking around the Discovery Center?
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Something...Observer
garyflandersDescription
Being a landlubber from the San Bernardino National Forest, and vacationing in Maui - can anyone tell me what tree this is?
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Alkali Heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum)Observer
garyflandersDescription
Not sure what this is. Found on Erwin Ranch road in Big Bear City, California.
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Tribe MalveaeObserver
garyflandersDescription
Which wild geranium is this? Found in the San Bernardino National Forest. Close to the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve.
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Freckled Milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus)Observer
garyflandersDescription
Plant or insect?
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Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)Observer
garyflandersDescription
Not sure if this is correct. Any ideas?
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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Observer
garyflandersPlace
2112 3rd Lane Big Bear City CA 208 Degrees SW Big Bear City CA. 34 14"40" N 116 48' 16" W (Google, OSM)Description
While having our Thanksgiving dinner, I looked out my dinning room window and noticed this Cooper's Hawk having his Thanksgiving dinner.
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North American Jerusalem Crickets (Genus Ammopelmatus)Observer
garyflandersDescription
On a walk from the Discovery Center to the Cougar Crest trail, saw this beauty sunning himself on the path.
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Bush Chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens)Observer
garyflandersDescription
While doing a program for a school from Redlands in the National Children's Forest, we came upon many Chinquapin bushes. We spent a hour or so with the kids 'harvesting' the delicious nut found inside the imposing 'prickly' nesting pods.
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Wood, Mound, and Field Ants (Genus Formica)Observer
garyflandersDescription
On my morning constitutional I noticed a large mound between two Western Junipers. It was approximately 18 inches tall and a good 24 inches wide. Upon closer inspection, I saw what looked to me to be Fire Ants. They were working as hard as ants usually do, perhaps getting ready for cooler weather.
From the book The Forest Unseen: "Imported fire ants have invaded southern woodlands and are moving north. They thrive in disturbed areas, making them particularly common in forests that are already reeling from the effects of fragmentation. Fire ants gather elaiosome-bearing fruits but are poor dispersers, depositing seeds next to the mother plant, thus dooming seedlings to a childhood spent competing with a larger relative. These competitions usually end with the seedling’s death. Fire ants may also be predators, eating the whole fruit instead of just the elaiosome. This invasion of foreign ants has the potential to undermine the relationship between the elaiosome and all its native dispersers, making the oily gift a liability instead of the asset it has been for millennia."
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Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi)Observer
garyflandersPlace
2112 3rd Lane Big Bear City CA 208 Degrees SW Big Bear City CA. 34 14"40" N 116 48' 16" W (Google, OSM)Description
As this tree produces it's cone, it was fascinating to see it move from a small nub to a drippy closed up cone then it started to open up to finally look like a Jeffery pine cone. As I was preparing to take this shot, a Downy Woodpecker landed and grabbed the cone. He pecked away then I saw him reach into the cone and yank our a pine nut. I was not fast enough putting on my zoom lens to get the bird, but I got this.
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Fleabanes and Horseweeds (Genus Erigeron)Observer
garyflandersPlace
2112 3rd Lane Big Bear City CA 208 Degrees SW Big Bear City CA. 34 14"40" N 116 48' 16" W (Google, OSM)Description
It is interesting to me to see the Fleabanes in the early spring. They pop up and in a month or so are gone. In August, after the brutal summer sun months, they popped up again. It was great to see them again. Flowering; receding back underground and then flowering again. Plants are fascinating.
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California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas ssp. halophilus)Observer
garyflandersPlace
2112 3rd Lane Big Bear City CA 208 Degrees SW Big Bear City CA. 34 14"40" N 116 48' 16" W (Google, OSM)Description
Pulling weeds in my backyard, I noticed this little guy hiding in plain sight. This is the first toad I have seen in my yard in 2 years. I would suppose they are there, I have not seen one. I am calling it a California Toad. The red spots don't show up as much as I would like in the photo. Isn't it interesting what excites a Naturalist?
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Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola)Observer
garyflandersPlace
2112 3rd Lane Big Bear City CA 208 Degrees SW Big Bear City CA. 34 14"40" N 116 48' 16" W (Google, OSM)Description
I had a group of 4 Ring Neck Doves visit my feeders for a couple of days. They were mostly ground feeders but one day they got it in their heads that they could fit on a small bird tube feeder. I watched as they took turns trying to hold on for dear life. One did it for a little bit while it's mate watched. Finally the mate said, "Forget it Clyde," and flew away.
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Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus)Observer
garyflandersDescription
An amazing thing about living in California is that I can leave my mountain home and in two hours be at a beautiful ocean beach. Recently I found myself close to the Balboa Pier by Balboa Peninsula Park. I found an area that had been set aside as a breading and nesting area for the Snowy Plover. I have alway enjoyed watching these little guys skitter around the beach. On one of the fences of the protected areas was a sign that said a group had petitioned the city council to remove the protected area and develop it for condos. Also a part of living in California
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Eleodes acuticaudaObserver
garyflandersDescription
At around 0900 on June 12th this handsome fellow came ambling up to me in the parking lot of the Discovery Center. He asked me why Dwarf Mistletoe only attacked Western Junipers. We talked for a long time. I have always been a fan of beetles. I realize there are over 300,000 identified species of beetles. In honor of this intellectually curious insect, I posted this Jarbidge Darkling. And in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club I give you this beetle. I think my favorite Beatle was either John or George...although I really liked Ringo...didn't care much for Paul.
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Observer
garyflandersDescription
I have been following this tree as part of my Nature's Notebook species project. I noticed it was acting differently than other Jeffrey's I was familiar with. At first I thought it might be a hybrid, but it kept having Jeffrey characteristics. In researching the possible hybrid status I came across a common disease in the San Bernardino Forest called Chlorotic Molting Disease. It causes a spotwise death of needles with a molting of the bark. The crown of the tree also thins and does not grow as tall corresponding to age. I am calling this a diseased tree.
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Observer
garyflandersDescription
Lucerne Valley on BLM land, off roading trails. On crest of a hill. Large rock formations and separate rock. I think it looks like and example of Igneous rock and specifically Basalt. Any rock hounds out there that can give me some guidance?
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Life (Life)Observer
garyflandersDescription
I am not sure of this bush. Saw it on BLM property in Lucerne Valley. 34 33' 26" N 116 46' 30 W. Early spring weather in harsh conditions near off road vehicle paths. I am just not up on my desert bushes. Can you help?
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Mammals (Class Mammalia)Observer
garyflandersDescription
Femoral head from a small mammal. Hard to say how long ago death occurred. Harsh conditions on BLM land in the off road vehicle paths. Interesting what you find when you look down.
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Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)Observer
garyflandersDescription
Large tree next to a gigantic date palm in Sylvan Park in Riverside. I should know it, but need help iding it.
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Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)Observer
garyflandersPlace
2112 3rd Lane Big Bear City CA 208 Degrees SW Big Bear City CA. 34 14"40" N 116 48' 16" W (Google, OSM)Description
Hello birder Naturalists. Can you help me do a positive ID on this guy? They came to my Big Bear City CA feeders about two weeks ago and have been flooding them ever since. I am just not sure what they are.
