Hiking Edgewood:Western Bluebird Succeeds

 Before the 1940's, Western Bluebirds were a common sight in places like Edgewood .

After WWII, large-scale building development seriously impacted the ability of these avians to reproduce. Back in the 1960's and 1970's, it was rare to spot a bluebird around here.

 In the 1970's people across the western United States, began efforts to bring bluebirds back. Edgewood is one of a number of places where nesting boxes help this effort. There are currently twenty three nesting boxes for Western Bluebirds in the area of Edgewood Preserve. Bluebirds nests are monitored by Friends of Edgewood volunteers in conjunction with the Sequoia Audobon Society. In 2013, 77 baby bluebirds were born in nests their parents built in park bluebird boxes. 

~ ~ ~

 Wikipedia: Western Bluebird - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Bluebird 

       

      

Hiking Edgewood: A Mule Deer Strolls Past

Click on the illustration above to enjoy more details

Though a common sight,

My heart stands still, when mule deer

Stroll across my path.

~ ~ ~

Web Resources

Edgewood: http://www.friendsofedgewood.org

Black Tail, Mule Deer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-tailed_deer 

Hiking Edgewood: Cottontail Brush Rabbit - If I sit really still....

Sylvilagus bachmani is the scientific name for the
Western Brush Rabbit , a species of cottontail 

If I sit really

Still, then she won't know I'm here.

You smart cottontail!

~ ~ ~

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush_rabbit

http://www.friendsofedgewood.org

Field Trip: Santa Cruz Monarch Butterflies (haiku)

This Danaus plexippus is vacationing in a valley of
Eucalyptus trees at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz

Monarch Butterfly

Just a flew months, then you fly

Off to make babies

Monarch butterflies generally leave the Rocky Mountains to visit us in the fall and stay on until February, at which time they return home to their stomping grounds in the Rockies.  You can see them at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, as well as Pacific Grove, Carmel, and a few scattered locations that people might tell you about, if you're lucky enough to be let in on the secret.

Another reason to always be nice and friendly!

~ ~ ~

Resources

Natural Bridges State Beach: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541

Monarch Butterfly Migration: http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/monarch-migration.html

Drought: Deerweed for New Years (Hiking Edgewood)

Lotus scoparius is commonly known as deer weed
(click on the illustration for more fiery detail)

Hot, dry, New Years Day

Oh! Lotus scoparius 

Keeps Edgewood aflame

Oh Baby, it's a Wild World

We all gotta come to terms with it. 

Sometimes the world is a little wilder than others.