Here in Redlands CA, ESRI employs 2000 and is a huge presence in our town. With hundreds of sycamore trees dotting ESRI’s campus, the tree is obviously a favorite of the company's founder, Jack Dangermond. “I like this tree. It makes people feel good when they are around them," says Dangermond. He …
Favorite Natives: Salvias (Sages) for Aroma, Wildlife and Spectacular Flowers
Native California salvias (commonly called sages) make my favorite list for many reasons: their spectacular show of flowers spring through summer, their aroma that permeates the air, especially after rainfall. Also, the sages in our landscaping offer great wildlife habitat. I have photos of …
Continue Reading about Favorite Natives: Salvias (Sages) for Aroma, Wildlife and Spectacular Flowers
Saving Wildlife: Keep Cats Indoors (and Other Suggestions)
First a full disclosure: I have had both indoor cat and outdoor cats. Yesterday I came across a half-eaten bird kill caused by a cat I’ve seen stalking our bird-friendly property. It made me think of some research The Secret Life of Roaming Cats I heard on NPR in August. Working with the National …
Continue Reading about Saving Wildlife: Keep Cats Indoors (and Other Suggestions)
Get Out of Your Car on Road Trips and… What Arizona’s Monsoons Bring
Vultures taking advantage of the hundreds of sphinx moth caterpillars crossing the road, Colorado River toads, noisy grasshoppers and gorgeous sunsets.... I took a trip to Arizona last week, and happened to time it with the last days of Arizona's monsoons. When I lived in Flagstaff I relished …
Continue Reading about Get Out of Your Car on Road Trips and… What Arizona’s Monsoons Bring
Favorite Natives: Buckwheat for Bees & Butterflies
Wherever you live, if you want to attract bees to pollinate your garden or you want to add more butterfly plants to your yard, you can't find a better plant than buckwheat (Eriogonum) -- or the many varieties available today. I just returned from a favorite walk, which winds through a neighborhood …
Continue Reading about Favorite Natives: Buckwheat for Bees & Butterflies
Bird Smarts
7/1/12 Note: For Redlands area residents, adaptations of my columns will appear each Monday in the Redlands Daily Facts e-edition There are so many stories out there about bird intelligence but I thought I would share a few things I've read or experienced that illustrate the intelligence of our …