Photos / Sounds
What
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)Observer
donendicottDescription
Observed at south end of Point Loma intertidal zone at low tide. Viewed from below cliffs bordering south side of Coast Guard Station.
Photos / Sounds
What
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)Observer
donendicottDescription
An uncommon coastal encounter with this desert species. This cluster of flotsam at top of intertidal boulders also attracted a male Peregrine falcon that landed and perched at this same site an hour and a half earlier. The Peregrine was chasing smaller birds just above the sea surface just offshore. It did not appear to have any interaction with the dove, which probably arrived earlier. See third photo for the Peregrine observation that commenced at 11:15 am.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)Observer
donendicottDescription
Appeared to be injured and only moving around on the ground in and out of vegetation cover. Peckham Kernan property (Volcan Mountain Foundation)
Photos / Sounds
What
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora)Observer
donendicottDescription
Sycamore Canyon, Cardiac Hill. Single plant with two blossoms on uphill, north-facing berm of the road.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)Observer
donendicottDescription
Sycamore Canyon Preserve, Cardiac Hill. First California Poppy sighting of the year in a small cluster of seven blossoms on five plants.
Photos / Sounds
What
California-Lilacs (Genus Ceanothus)Observer
donendicottDescription
MTRP West Sycamore section. Adjacent to a white specimen. The lilac-colored variety was abundant on slopes throughout the area.
Photos / Sounds
What
California-Lilacs (Genus Ceanothus)Observer
donendicottDescription
MTRP West Sycamore section. Adjacent to a purple specimen. The lilac-colored variety was abundant on slopes throughout the area. Only two white ones noted and the other was a sparser growth about 1/4 mile distant.
Photos / Sounds
What
Two-color Rabbit Tobacco (Pseudognaphalium biolettii)Observer
donendicottDescription
MTRP West Sycamore area along one of the ridge trails
Photos / Sounds
What
California Golden Violet (Viola pedunculata)Observer
donendicottDescription
MTRP West Sycamore. Abundant in a couple of sites.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)Observer
donendicottDescription
MTRP West Sycamore. Wide spread but spaced apart along the trail.
Photos / Sounds
What
Chalk Dudleya (Dudleya pulverulenta)Observer
donendicottDescription
MTRP West Sycamore. Only one specimen noted in immediate area.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Tree Frog (Pseudacris cadaverina)Observer
donendicottDescription
Encountered swimming in creek downstream from Borrego Palm Canyon First Grove. It was a particularly large individual.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Peony (Paeonia californica)Observer
donendicottDescription
Encountered while retrieving two bat recorders from off exhibit area of San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bigelow's Monkeyflower (Diplacus bigelovii)Observer
donendicottDescription
Found growing in a small linear cluster in wash near Hayden Spring.
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii)Observer
donendicottDescription
Upon discovery I thought this partial mandible might be a Black-tailed Jackrabbit but it appears to be too small (~ 2" in length). Lepus californicus was observed in the area this same day about a mile to the south. Sylvilagus audbonii was also observed the following morning a few miiles to the north near Bow Willow Campground.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Badger (Taxidea taxus)Observer
donendicottDescription
Very fresh sign with visible horizontal scratching visible.
Photos / Sounds
What
Schott's Indigobush (Psorothamnus schottii)Observer
donendicottDescription
Growing prolifically throughout this area in vicinity of Hayden Spring. Without blossoms, it was not immediately identified. The thorn-like spines were conspicuous.
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Shaggymane (Podaxis pistillaris)Observer
donendicottDescription
Adjacent to Bow Willow-to-Mountain Palm Spring trail. A soil plug it pushed up was on the ground next to it.
Photos / Sounds
What
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora)Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trails Regional Park. This individual plant with four open blossoms and two still to bloom was the most exceptional specimen sighted so far.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trails Regional Park, west section. Located shortly before dark. Two plants discovered within one meter of each other. More may be present but search was terminated due to fading light
Photos / Sounds
What
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora)Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trails Regional Park, northwest section. Adjacent plant, also with two blossoms, is approaching end of bloom phase (see fourth inage).
Photos / Sounds
What
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora)Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trails Regional Park, northwest section. At least five different plants in this area, four proximate to within 5 meters of each other.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cleveland's Shooting Star (Primula clevelandii ssp. clevelandii)Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trails Regional Park, west side
Photos / Sounds
What
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora)Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trail Regional Park, west side
Photos / Sounds
What
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora)Observer
donendicottDescription
Mission Trails Regional Park, west side
Photos / Sounds
What
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)Observer
donendicottDescription
I was observing this pair of Buffleheads while they were diving for food just offshore from Alki Beach. It was well below freezing but clear and calm. The winter sun was still relatively low in the eastern sky. I was carrying my binoculars and camera and telephoto lens on a tripod. I was attempting to capture the moment of a dive, just before their bill enters the water. I wasn't successful although I did manage to capture a couple of instances when they arched forward with only the tip of a bill submerged. It happens in a fraction of a second. All of a sudden, the female initiated a takeoff and the male followed suit. I was able photograph a nice sequence as they splashed and flapped their way to my right and parallel to the shore. They were perfectly synchronized as can be seen here.
