Our huge Agave bloomed. In After 11 happy years in our yard, our Agave -- which I thought was a Mr. Ripple but is some kind of Mexican Agave hybrid with rippled edges -- started its shoot last spring. Agave flowering stalks are habitat heavens, so we watched the wildlife parade come through. It …
When to Trim Trees and Protect Nesting Wildlife
Note: Click here for a "Keep Bird Nests Safe and your Trees Healthy" brochure for Californians now available on this subject! I wasn't sure how to title this article -- as it's about best tree and shrub trimming practices. But it also stems from disturbing reports of commercial tree trimmers …
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Highlights from our Natural World – 2018
We continue to love our property and our trips for the natural world lessons they bring us. Here are 2018 highlights! Curious Bighorn Sheep. On a visit to Joshua Tree National Park, my friend Nancy and I observed these bighorn sheep observing us so curiously. It started with one and then …
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Springtime – critters, injured birds and even snakes
It’s Springtime – not only for our plants and trees, but for the animal lives around us. And that means more animal sightings, injured animals and even snake encounters. In addition to the information below, please see my article on the most commonly asked questions on wildlife rescues plus rescue …
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Habitat Gardening (Part 1) – Insects are Good!
I recently attended an all-day workshop on Habitat Gardening that covered our birds and butterflies and pollinators. It also focused on how to welcome beneficial insects to combat pests, therefore avoiding the use of pesticides. Led by Frederique Lavoipierre, Director of Education at the Santa …
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Salton Sea Tour highlights… burrowing owls, sandhill cranes, shorebirds aplenty
Last weekend my husband and I did a Salton Sea tour through the Living Desert Museum in Palm Desert, led by College of the Desert professor Kurt Leuschner. For those who don't know Kurt, he is a birding, wildlife and ecologist extraordinaire. We saw so many birds, and learned so much --including …