I still remember the first day I truly found the wilderness. It was a cool day in July, a rarity for the desert of Los Angeles I call home. I had woken up early that day to go running with some friends, a favorite pastime of mine; our destination was a patch of open space just outside the valley.
FROM OUR READERS: Owls Nesting in Our Yard
One evening in mid-May, two friends and I were sitting on our front porch (with masks and social distancing) after an evening hike. Their musicians’ ears heard owls! The next day I started looking for them at dawn and dusk. Then, in the middle of the following day I saw a head sticking out of the old nesting box I had built for an acorn woodpecker which my husband, Marc, and I rescued from a downed tree six years ago.
FROM OUR READERS: The Fledgling
The grayish brownish thing I discovered underneath the salvia in the backyard garden made me hold my breath for weeks.
I discovered this hidden thing about four years ago around the end of April. A jerky movement at the top terrace caught my eye. Squatting down sumo-style, I gingerly lifted the leaves. All right, what are you? I was face-to-beak with a baby bird. The bird froze and I immediately let go of the leaves.
Oh great. Just great.
Winging It: Discovering The Caribbean Birding Trail, Part II: Dominica—The Rare Parrots' Paradise
Birds of the Season – June 2020
By any standard, this spring has been an unexpected and unprecedented one. It would seem impossible to write this column without mention of the coronavirus pandemic. While birders have been fortunate to be able to continue their pursuits less affected than many others, this birding season has been overshadowed by world events.
Rare Bird Alert - June 26, 2020
PLASTIC FREE PANTRY — Salsa Ranchera
Salsa has surpassed ketchup as the number one condiment in the United States, and with good reason: it’s fresh and more complex in flavor than the old American standby. Alas, many salsas are packaged in plastic, and contain stabilizers that increase their shelf life but impinge on their flavor. By making your own with fresh tomatoes from the Farmers Market, and you are reducing your carbon footprint and creating a flavorful staple with multiple uses.
Rare Bird Alert - June 20, 2020
Plover Dads are in charge of rearing chicks
PLASTIC FREE PANTRY — Homemade Yogurt
Due to the massive amounts of packaging that is a part of our convenience driven lifestyle, we all bring loads of plastic into our homes via the food that we eat. The goal of this blog is to demonstrate ways that we can cut down on the plastic that we use in acquiring foods that are staples in most of our pantries (and refrigerators). The recipes that I will be sharing will help to reduce your own personal carbon footprint, require little to no special equipment, support local, independent businesses, and create a delicious product!