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What
Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
The Red Valerian is an ornamental plant that is not native to California. It is a popular plant and its blooms in red clusters. The flowers are fragrant and attract bees and butterflies. It can grow well in poor soils and may grow around rocks.
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Cellar Spiders (Family Pholcidae)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
Spiders are arthropods, an invertebrate with an exoskeleton and the most diverse group in the animal kingdom. They breathe air, have eight legs, no wings, and belong to a group called arachnids. There are about 30,000 species of spiders.
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Calyptrate Flies (Zoosubsection Calyptratae)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
True flies are part of the Order Diptera. Unlike other insects, adult flies have only one set of wings. They have a large set of eyes to help them see. Flies can range from 1 cm to 4 cm.These insects have to suck or soak their food in through their mouth parts.
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Bougainvilleas (Genus Bougainvillea)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
Bougainvilleas are thorny vines, bushes, or trees that have leaves that resemble flowers.They are not native to California but come from tropical and subtropical South America.This plant attracts birds and is low maintenance for gardeners.
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Ants (Family Formicidae)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
Ants are insects and relatives of wasps and bees. They can be found if you look closely on the pavements and on the floor outside. They can be seen marching in a line. There are actually about 10,000 known species of ants. A neat thin about them is that they can carry about 3 times their own weight.
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House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
The house sparrow is a foreign species introduced to North America and many other continents. It originated from Europe and is easily one of the most common species of animals found living near humans. It is an aggressive and adaptable species. Sporting a pair of short legs, thick beak,and stocky body, the house sparrow is brown with black streaks and while the males are marked black on their throat the females do not.
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European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
European Starlings are one of the most common birds on the continent of North America. They are have nice black and glossy coat in the summer but covered in white dots in the winter. They are medium sized and stocky. They are most often seen in lawns.
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Lantanas (Genus Lantana)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
The genus Lantana contains more than 150 plants. They are native to topical America and Africa. This genus belongs to the Verbena family.
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Topped Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
The French Lavender belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediteranean countries in Europe. They have an aromatic yet delicate scent and can be distinguished from other plants by their dented leaves.
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Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
The seven-spotted ladybug is a predator. They usually consume soft-bodied insects particularly aphids. When scared, they ooze a substance from their knees ,which is actually their blood, to stop predators from eating them.
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Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
The Fox Squirrel, also known as Bryant's fox, is an abundant tree squirrel in North America. Their fur is usually reddish-brown with a lighter shade underneath.
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Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
The mourning dove is a species of bird that is native to North America. Mourning doves, also known as turtle doves, are slender and have small heads. Their feathers are colored brown grey to light grey with black spots. Their eyes and beaks are black while their feet are orange. The mourning dove’s coos sound sad and melancholy.
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Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)Observer
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The Madagascar periwinkles are plants native to Madagascar, India, and Sri Lanka. They are a popular ornamental plant. They have been used to treat cancer.
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Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
Caterpillars are larvae of insects like moths and butterflies. Some may eat plants, insects, or even other caterpillars. This is the immature stage before they begin metamorphosis.
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Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)Observer
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Missing DateDescription
Honey Bees are makers of honey. Most bees are female and are workers. There is mainly only one queen who gives birth to the eggs of a next generation. Male Bees are called drones and are like second class citizens in the hive of honey bees.
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Roses (Genus Rosa)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
Roses are perennials that belong to the genus Rosa.There are more than a hundred different species of rose They have thorns and are a symbol of love.
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Boneseed Daisies (Genus Osteospermum)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
These flowers are unusually colored and are native to South Africa. African daisies come in all sorts of colors.
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Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)Observer
tvwatchingcatDate
Missing Date
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Grasses (Family Poaceae)Observer
tvwatchingcatDescription
Grass is found on pretty much all lawns around the world whether they are yellow from lack of water or green. Grass serves as a food source for many animals like cows and provides shelter for other organisms.
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Genus EpidendrumObserver
tvwatchingcatDescription
Orchids are a diverse group of flowering plants. Usually nice-smelling, orchids come in a range of attractive colors.These flowers carry about an air of elegance.
