A few weeks ago, it was 103 degrees when I heard a familiar sound in the sky above my head. I looked up and saw the “V” formation of birds in flight, and I recognized the honking of Canadian geese coming home for the winter. It was a strange experience. While I knew my body was in California, my...

On July 22, I saw a slender column of black smoke to the east. Because I am one of the volunteers who are called if there is a fire evacuation at Placerita, I called the Nature Center to find out if the fire was close. Frank Hoffman, recreation services supervisor, answered the phone. He told me all...

When warmer weather arrives, many of us dare to leave our beloved Santa Clarita Valley and take trips outside its boundaries. In my case, I just returned from a trip to France to visit many members of my family. My sister, husband and I managed to carve out a short week of real vacation and free time...

Sometimes when you observe nature in action, you are not sure what is going on. That happened to me a few weeks ago, and as Hercule Poirot would say, “You have to put those little grey cells to work.” I was climbing the garden steps when I saw two alligator lizards right in front of me. The steps...

I enjoy writing about the animals you see in your backyard every day, and trying to find little details that make them more quirky and interesting. My devious plan is to tempt you outside so you can check those facts for yourself. What could be more common than house finches? Surely you see them at your...

In the complex world of wildflower identification, the sticky monkey flower is a life saver. How could you forget such an easy name? The blooming season at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center is rather long, so you will have a pretty good chance of seeing their happy little faces on many trails all the...

Do you want to add excitement to your life, open a nature observation station and do wildlife comparison on a daily basis? You do not need to move and become a ranger. You can accomplish this easily in your own backyard by installing a bird feeder and bird bath close to a window where you can observe...

I typically write about local fauna and flora, but sometimes something really incredible happens not too far away, and I just want you to be aware of it. Valentine’s Day is not only a time for chocolate and flowers; it is also mating and baby time for elephant seals. It’s one the most amazing sights...

The last Christmas tree needles have been vacuumed from the carpet, but in the back of your mind, you know you’ll still find some in August. The ladder is up to remove the last string of lights around the house, and you are deep in thought, enjoying the cool, crisp outside air. The New Year is stretching...

A few weeks ago, Leon Worden posted a photo of a bug killing a bee in his backyard and called it an assassin bug. The only problem was that he posted it on the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Facebook page. Social media can turn on you, with experts watching your every step. There were a few friendly...