joykrauthammer's Favorites
Photos / Sounds
What
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)Observer
joykrauthammerDescription
Monarch Butterfly laid eggs, Nov. 15, 2020 on a Milkweed plant in Northridge, CA 91326 garden. Caterpillar photo 12.6.2020
© Joy Krauthammer
Photos / Sounds
What
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)Observer
joykrauthammerDescription
I counted ten American White Pelicans at Lake Balboa swimming in the Lake at the same time in one area on 12.14.2016 from about noon to 4pm on a sunny day. I photographed them taking off to soar and was surprised to find black feathers hidden under their white feathers, so I'm sharing one of these images. The pelicans mostly swam quietly on the water and later in afternoon lowered their beaks to maybe preen themselves. -Joy Krauthammer
Photos / Sounds
What
Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea)Observer
joykrauthammerDescription
I found large vines of Passion flowers by the hilly side (not easily accessible) of the waterfall cascade at Lake Balboa, LA, CA on 5.4.15. (Looking up at the cascade, on the right side.) "Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants, the type genus of the family Passifloraceae. They are mostly vines, with some being shrubs, and a few species being herbaceous." Many gorgeous flowers transform into edible fruits consisting of a hard dark purple egg-shaped shell, filled with seeds and juice inside. Fruit is ripe when fairly firm yet wrinkly and falls off vine. Used as juice, baked goods, icecream, etc. (Barnacle Scale bugs can kill entire huge vines.)
