R: Wall Germander.
Today I got a good amount of Naturing time in after my CAS shift. Usual visit to my owls and the AIDS Memorial Grove. But not in that order.
Didn’t have time to stop anywhere before my shift, but right after it was over I spotted a large blackish fly thing (maybe newtome?) land right at the CAS Business Entrance sign. Common Blue Mud-dauber? Wasn’t blueish to me, but maybe the light wasn’t right?
Blue Elder was also blooming along the entrance walkway. Smelled pretty nice, too.
Took my usual walk out via the CAS Botanical Garden East, and a smaller (?) group of those Western Tanagers were still there and still eating up the Pacific Yew berries. Maybe they were also eating some Twinberry Honeysuckle berries? Looked like it to me!
After inspecting the Twinberry Honeysuckle tree for evidence, I peered down and found a small Red-cage Fungus egg! Already cracked open a wee bit. Guess that recent tiny bit of drizzle rain produced an egg?
Decided to visit the AIDS Memorial Grove first. It’s been a while. MAYBE one of those White-lined Sphinx Moths would be out? NOPE. Not many flowers out. Though, a fellow CAS volunteer said she spotted one there a week ago… Ah, well.
Got to see my first Cross Orbweaver in GGPark since last year. Hanging in a nice web across Natal Lily plants at the far West end of the AMG. Tutsan berries were out along the creekbed. And Bigleaf Hydrangea were still hanging in there.
Got to the bottom of the creekbed, and I noticed some scat on the rocks. Looked up, AND THERE WAS A GREAT HORNED OWL ABOVE! Sleeping. Small. Maybe a male? WHO WAS THIS??
I unintentionally woke it up, and HOOBOY, did I get A LOOK! It soon noticed a squawking Steller’s Jay nearby then gave me AN EVEN WORSE LOOK. I apologized, though I wasn’t super certain it was my fault. And I slowly walked on.
I got a better look at it, and I thought maybe its right eye was hurt or something? But as soon as its left eye started to close shut, I knew it was fine. Just doing that one-eyed thing they do.
I didn’t think this was Pa Owl. This owl seemed younger? Also, would Pa Owl be THIS FAR away from Junior and Ma Owl? My thinking is this is a newtome GHO. Possibly a juvenile? Trying out a new spot for itself? We shall see!
There were a couple bright spots in the grove, like Redbud, Yellow-faced Bumble Bees, Purple Coneflower, Wall Germander, Redflower Buckwheat, and Menzies’ Baby Blue Eyes. But, quiet fauna-wise. As usual.
Left the AMG and strolled alongside it towards the Lily Pond, where I spotted Autumn Olive berries. How delicious they look!
All was quiet at the Lily Pond, save for some female Mallards. Those die-hards. But the pond was looking a tad less swampy! So hopefully it’ll clear up soon for the fall migrants starting to come through.
I happened to see a GHO feather on the trail and looked around for one. But, no. Hm!
Another Cross Orbweaver sighting, and I was on my way through the Secret Gardens. I thought MAYBE a White-lined Sphinx Moth might be there? But, no. Hardly any blooming flowers other than the Angel Trumpets. GGPark needs so much more native flora to keep things interesting at the end of Summer.
I did happen upon a BIZARRE group of The Prince fungi, though! Near the base of Lila’s Hill. Most had been pulled out already. How could anyone walk past this and not stop to gawk?
Made my way to find the Great Horned Owls of the East. None were on the Slime Mold Lab Trail. But Junior was in her favorite stop in the owl nursery. Couldn’t spot another owl there or nearby. Where were Ma and Pa? Are they at the point of making her come to them?
Junior is simply HUGE. She looks bigger than Ma Owl to me now. She mostly slept while I was there. Preened a little bit. One good yawn. Some dagger stares at who knows what!
Since she was mostly sleeping, I left her alone. And walked to the East end of the AMG. And discovered a new trail that was made through the tiny Redwood grove just South of that entrance. It was nicely done! And connected to that ridge trail alongside the maintenance yard fence. Which I took, just because it’s been forever since I’ve done that.
It’s not exciting. There’s no fauna there. But near the West end, the tree canopy there is quite magical.
Headed down to see if the newtome GHO might hoot. Nope. Still an hour before sunset. Just slept. So I left it alone, making my way home via the Monarch Bear Grove.
After such an epic day of finds yesterday at Rodeo Lagoon, it’d be hard to come close the very next day. But I met a new GHO today! In a spot I’ve never seen a GHO before! Exciting day!
