Cameras

We have set out a couple of field cameras that will snap off a shot everytime something walks by. They operate day and night. We get coyotes nightly, and every few nights or so we get other critters including bobcats, skunks, and raccoons.

Nevada Buck Moth

For the past few weeks I have been helping to trap the Nevada Buck Moth. The ent0mologist studying these moths is hoping to learn more about the phermones used to attract the males to the females. The traps are baited with different phermones and then set out in different locations. Later in the day we returned to check which phermone mixture caught the most males. The moths are then released. We have been catching between 150-200 moths each day.

Coming and leaving work

Took these shots when I arrived at work (6:30) and again when I left to go home (4:30).

Red-diamond Rattlesnake

While helping with a vegetation survey last week one of the biologists let out a cry as he nearly stepped on this beautiful Red-diamond Rattlesnake. Luckily it was very early in the morning and the snake was too cold to react much. I included a pic of the actual vegetation survey.

Tick

I have always been lucky when it comes to ticks. I rarely find them on me while others will have many. Ticks have been known to prefer one person over another. Unfortunately I do find them on occassion. This guy I found in one of my socks. I always check myself carefully before coming home.

Tarantula

I guess watering is not always boring. While checking the irrigation lines I found this male tarantula wandering through our restoration site. It is common for males to wander around this time of the year looking for females. California species are hard to ID but I think its Aphonopelma iodius.

Scorpions

When we are trapping for reptiles we often catch uninvited guests. The two species of scorpions we caught this week are the Arizona Striped Scorpion, and the California Common Scorpion.

Osprey

We recently put up an Osprey platform hoping we could attract some to breed in our wetlands. We only had to wait a few months. Today we had 3 flying in the area and eventually one landed on the platform and perched on it for hours calling to the others. We think this bird is a female. Unfortunately it is VERY early for them to be thinking about breeding. We can only hope they stick around through the winter. This platform is about 20 feet high and overlooks our largest pond. They feed exclusively on fish.

Rodents

When we are trapping for reptiles we often get an assortment of rodents in the traps. Here we have a shrew (they bite), a deermouse, and a pocketmouse. The shrew is easy to spot with its long nose. We had to keep him in the bag since they can be aggressive. We place them in the bag to weigh them. After we have identified and measured them they were placed safely in a nearby bush.

Lizards

Working at our herp array at Lake Perris we caught some interesting specimens. Here is a Western Banded Gecko and a Orange-throated Whiptail.

Herbarium

I am creating a plant collection representing the plant diversity of the Santa Ana river watershed. I collect them, ID them, put them in a plant press and let them dry for a few weeks. Later I will mount them on nice sheets so that kids and adults on field trips can view the collection. I usually do my collecting on days when there is not much else planned. I got volunteered for this since I spent the past 16 years working in the horticulture industry :).

Black Skimmer

While searching for Tern nests I found two Black Skimmer nests. These chicks are so well hidden they are very hard to see from above. They shower themselves with sand so predators cannot see them. I included a picture of one of the adults.

Coachwhip-Red Racer Snake

Was surprised when I found this guy curled up under a bird bath in one our cowbird cages. I figure he was about 6ft. long. Scared the heck out of me since they can be agressive, but not poisonous. He was eventually coaxed out of the cage and went on his way. If allowed to stay in the cage he would have eaten all of the birds.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

We got a treat at work today. A rehabilitation group brought out a Yellow-billed Cuckoo to release into our woods. This is one of the most endangered birds in CA., and most biologists here never get a chance to see one. They have been absent from the Prado Basin Riparian woods for many years. We suspect that an ocassional bird must pass through the area once in awhile, and its hoped this bird returns next year and meets up with one of these migrants.....we can always hope.

Coyotes and Tree Swallow

Stumbled upon this young Coyote running along the road ahead of my truck. He/she seemed unconcerned about my presence and ran along the road for quite awhile before finally jumping into the woods. Part of my job involves me checking Tree Swallow boxes. This young guy spotted me approaching. The fact that he is at the top of the box indicates that the nestlings are about 20 days old and ready to leave the box at any moment. Its usually wise not to open the box at this stage as the young will many times get scared and jump out of the box prematurely.

Santiago Creek near Irvine Lake

The Cicadas were very loud to the point of being obnoxious. I caught this guy before he flew away. Its nerve wracking trying to pinpoint their location in the shrubs. Also found these tracks along a streambed. They were large enough to be a very large dog or......kitty.

Mule Deer and Marijuana farming

A marijuana farm was found close to my office (about 5 min.). Was a little disturbing since I am often working this part of the forest. This photo shows a Sheriffs Dept. helicopter moving cut marijuana plants out of the forest and into waiting trucks. Later in the day I found these two mule deer bucks watching us watching them in Chino Hills State Park.