R: Monarchs.
Today was my day to go Naturing on my own in Santa Cruz. It was another hot day, so I stayed near the coast and visited Neary Lagoon and Natural Bridges.
Ok, I had no idea there were lagoons in SCruz. Yes, yes, yes, I hardly knew any real nature in the area back when I was at UCSC. But I also don’t remember anyone talking about LAGOONS. Not at all. Not. At. All.
And, I love lagoons! So off I went. I’d read on AllTrails that there were not a ton of notable things about it. But there’s a floating boardwalk. And while it makes annoying noise while on it, it’s neat to walk over a lagoon! And there were pretty common birds out on it, just like one of the AllTrails reviews said. Like American Coots and Mallards and Pied-billed Grebes.
As I initially walked on the boardwalk to the lagoon, I got to see Cabbage Whites and Monarchs fluttering over the meadow of Pacific Aster. None would land for me, though. Boo.
I have never seen so much Pacific Aster in one place AND growing so well before. Huh.
And I saw TWO male Wood Ducks and a female. The males unfortunately hid away as I approached, so I only got to look at the female. But one of the males was calling, and he sounded like A GOOSE. I’ve never heard them before! I think?
There were mostly Mallards in the lagoon waterways. So much so, it felt like they owned the place. When I was there it was Bath Time. And I always enjoy watching birds bathe like there’s no tomorrow.
The interp sign showing how large the lagoon was before development was very interesting. It’s like a third the size of it originally?
Oh, and as I was reading one of the interp signs, I couldn’t help but notice crazy long spider threads blowing around the edge of the sign. And a decent size Spider was right at that edge! iNat thinks it’s a Noble False Widow, but I didn’t get the best angle photos of it. We shall see…
My next stop was at Natural Bridges. Now, I’ve never been there to see the Monarchs. I didn’t even know there were trails past the lookout area. Or that there was a Visitor Center. And I always wondered where the Monarchs were that everyone talked about.
NOW I KNOW. You have to actually go into the State Beach (and pay) to get to the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve Loop. It’s a short walk down to where the Monarchs all are. And the rest of the loop isn’t terribly interesting. At least, not right now.
But those MONARCHS. Absolutely worth doing once to just stand and look up and see them dancing every which way above you. Better than going to the Ballet.
In addition to the lovely Monarchs, a Red Admiral didn’t seem to enjoy the stray Monarchs that left the center spot. And a nearby West Coast Lady soon stopped to pose for me, the dear.
Random solo Frogs would calmly croak here and there. Wish I could’ve seen them. Just one. But, alas.
Did spot Fungi, though. Two sibling-looking mushrooms, joined together at their base. Seemingly posing for me, too. Perhaps Tall Psathyrella?
The Visitor Center was worth visiting. It had Monarch caterpillars to watch (first time ever seeing one!) and some poor Monarchs that had some disease or something, so they were keeping them from the other Monarchs. Maybe they’ll eventually get released?
As of now, there are over 1000 Monarchs at the site. No idea if that’s a typical number this time of year or what.
But I’m so glad to finally know where they are in SCruz! And even to see the undramatic but still altogether serene Neary Lagoon. This weekend I had enough time in the area to stop at all my favorite haunts, but I’m equally glad to have had the time to also get to know the nature areas I never knew existed in my college town.
