Young ravens remind us to be jovial. Witness their aerial stick game. You’ll see amazing acrobatic displays as one flier drops the stick and another catches it midair.
Sign up for our eNewsletterSign up for our eNewsletterYoung ravens remind us to be jovial. Witness their aerial stick game. You’ll see amazing acrobatic displays as one flier drops the stick and another catches it midair.
By Audrey F. Baker
It’s that time of year! The Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) are back in San Diego and Lake Murray is among their wintering locales. Park visitors are afforded a wonderful opportunity to view this engaging migratory species.
By Audrey F. Baker | Trail Guide
As fall gives way, culminating in winter solstice, we enter a new season. Earth’s shallowed angle to the sun brings short days, long nights and open night-time skies. It signals the holidays are upon us, marking the end of another year.
By Audrey F. Baker
A festival of autumn color is underway at Mission Trails Regional Park. Flat-top buckwheat flaunts its maroon seed heads. Brilliant yellow goldenbush is captivating arsenals of late-season pollinators. Deciduous trees like Fremont cottonwood are exhibiting their colorful conversion into dormancy. Juxtaposed against backgrounds of the deep greens of coast live oak, these and other offerings make a rich visual contrast and present the spectrum of fall color.
By Audrey F. Baker
As October approaches, thoughts to turn to Halloween and the menagerie of nature that represents the celebration. Hoary oaks, ravens, owls, bats and more symbolize holiday fun.
Let’s face it, tarantulas have a “PR problem.” Much of the public sees them as nightmarish critters of loathsome reputation. Yes, they’re hairy and maybe scary.
By Audrey F. Baker
For many, one of Mission Trails Regional Park’s must-see sights is Snake Rock. Head north on Father Junipero Serra Trail from the Visitor Center toward Old Mission Dam.
About the time you settle into your gait, you’ll see it on the left. Wind, sun and water erosion have carved the distinctive figure of a rattlesnake, replete with heavy-body and triangular shaped head. Perhaps nature sculpted it to remind us of her mysteries and creativity. Here variety reigns, snakes included!
By Audrey F. Baker Small but spectacular, Murgantia histrionica dazzles with brilliant red, orange and yellow markings defined in black. While some call it the calico bug or fire bug, its most popular name, the harlequin bug, is an homage to the masked pantomime character of 16th-century Italian theater. Both dress in a diamond-patterned costume. […]
By Audrey F. Baker For several weeks, a highlight of the Trail Guide-led nature walk on Visitor Center Loop Trail was the opportunity for eye-level observation of the nesting activities of a Mourning Dove. The female displayed abundant patience as park guests enjoyed the hushed thrill. Memorized expression lit the faces of adults and children […]
By Audrey F. Baker Eighty percent of our region’s rainfall occurs between December and March, bringing an annual average of around 10 inches. The series of winter rains that began in mid-December and peaked with the deluge of Feb 27, has brought copious spring growth to Mission Trails Regional Park. Trail Guide Bill Edwards recently […]
By Audrey F. Baker | Trail Guide Among our most spectacular winter blooms is Mission Manzanita. Its 0.3-inch flowers appear December to February, ranging from milk white to rose-pink and blending to yellowish tones at the open end. Prodigious urn-shaped flora assemble in small clusters near branch ends. When moist, these mini-mission bells broadcast opalescent […]