Nature ID's one year anniversary

Wow. It's been a whole year since I began Nature ID. I'm very pleased with what I'm creating and how the experience has changed me.

Memory is such a shape-shifter. I set out with the goal to document the dates of my nature observations, because I couldn't remember if our local cormorants nested in February or May. Plus, I wanted to prod myself to look up answers to fleeting questions, instead of brushing them off after hikes like ticks. Pictures, even fuzzy ones, capture details I often can't recall properly... Was it five petals? Were there spots on the hindwing? Do I care? Now, I carry my camera with me on most outings and have collected more pictures of nondescript plants and blurry animal forms than is reasonably sane.

Sure there are moments when I think, "WTH am I doing?" Blogging is a time-consuming affair, just ask my husband!... Then I think about the benefits from doing this exercise. Most importantly, Nature ID has brought back my natural curiosity. I tend to get so caught up in what needs to be done, that I forget to ask simple questions or stop to appreciate it all. Now, I'm becoming more aware of what is around me and all those questions are now sticky enough to be asked out loud.

I am without a doubt the biggest visitor to Nature ID. I use my index and archive (disguised as hiking/observation dates) quite a bit as my own reference tool and am already comparing notes with last year, which I learned is called phenology. Also, I've collected a decent repertoire of reference links. I'd probably do just as well with a database or well-organized bookmarks; however, I like having a dedicated place to record my online searches attached to dated photographs and a method to easily solicit others to help with IDs. In the process, I have discovered a whole world of nature-loving bloggers with whom I feel a sense of camaraderie and awe... this is a big deal when so many people would rather squash that spider than take a picture of it.

The past couple of months I've been blogging and commenting more than usual, partly due to odd pockets of time between traveling, partly due to newly added blog lists in the sidebar which catch my attention, and now partly due to my spanking new iMac. If only I can figure out how to get iPhoto to recognize butterflies and plants. I have plans to add a map of locations and additional labels (even I have little patience to scroll through my own 57 entries of native flowers).

Since my IDentity crisis!, I reminded myself what my goals were when I set out on this journey. Eventually, I hope Nature ID from the Central Coast of California will live up to its name. I was starting to add too many extraneous posts, like this one for example, and wasn't staying true to my unique format of backdated entries and staying local. As a result, I've moved all my miscellaneous posts and comments to this 2nd blog Kt's Nature ID companion. It's random and rambling like a typical blog and will probably contain quite a few travel pics as I import and set-up iPhoto.

I created Nature ID for me... and am amazed other people seem to like it, too. Thanks for taking the time to visit. Here's to another year, cheers!

ps 09/16/10 - Once again, I'm reorganizing and so all those misc. post are now back on Nature ID.

Brandt's cormorant ~ 05/05/10 ~ Coast Guard Pier

cormorants, sea lions, and brown pelicans

It seems to be in transition as the cormorants and sea lions negotiate space for the coveted breakwater rocks.

Yep, I'm bushed and don't feel like repeating myself from previous posts. Click below in the labels for the developing story. These pics are worth posting for what they show.

CA sea lion ~ 05/05/10 ~ Coast Guard Pier

California sea lion
Zalophus californianus

The literal translation of the scientific name is "Californian big head" for the obvious feature of mature males. Haha! I kid you not. The last time I posted about sea lions, I wondered if the larger individuals might be Stellar sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Nope. I take that back after finding more information. I'm sure both small and large sea lions are Californian in the pictures above.

Large groups of young males have already arrived in Monterey. It seems kind of early. Last year we didn't see them until the end of May. I would have taken a picture of the masses, but I was close to retching from the horrid smell. There doesn't seem to be quite as many this year, but they still cover every available surface for sleeping. I wonder if the timing of their arrival has something to do with the squid in the area.

Sea lions are interesting to watch. You see them peacefully sleeping and think, awww, how cute... until one invades the space of another and a loud fight ensues. They're not my favorite animals in the world, but it's been good to learn about them.

ps 05/24/10 - During my typical early morning walk to the Coast Guard Pier, I encountered a scene that can best be described as extremely disturbing on so many levels. At the boat loading dock, I noticed a familiar photographer with a tripod, who was way too close to a newborn sea lion. WHAT?! Everything I've found online states we only have males here in Monterey and the birthing happens further south. Apparently this is not true and I've suspected this for some time. Sure enough the female was nearby with blood streaks from the birth all over the loading dock. I stopped to watch next to several temporary warning signs of how it's illegal to get within 50 feet of marine mammals, which were taped to municipal, white and orange plastic parking A-frames. Within a few minutes, a young fellow came out of the local kayak shop with a double-sided oar. He proceeded to whack the small sea lions with the oar. Again, WHAT!?! I hollered out, "What the h*ll are you doing!?!" He stated matter-of-factly that he was authorized and to ask his boss if I had any questions, who happened to promptly pull up in a Monterey City truck. I exchanged some not-so-nice-words with this boss who repeatedly told me (as if the verbatim repetition would somehow make me feel okay about what I had just witnessed) how the City of Monterey has authorization to do whatever it takes to get the sea lions off the boat loading dock... short of killing them, 'cause then that would be illegal. I pointed out that there was no one loading boats at the moment and asked why was it necessary to harass the sea lions in such a manner, especially with an exhausted mother and newborn nearby. It was after this that the young fellow dropped his oar and took up a water hose to move most of the sea lions into the water. I was left dumbfounded and started a conversation with the photographer. I asked him what he does with his photos. He said he e-mails them to researchers at Hopkins Marine Station, but it was his belief no one cared. Both the boss and the photographer had called the marine mammal hotline to report the newborn. I'm still sick over seeing this.

pss 05/25/10 - What? You thought I'd be quiet about this? I heard back from both NOAA and The Marine Mammal Center. Apparently, this is the first year they've had reports of California sea lions giving birth in the area. The pups generally die within a day. They're not sure why this is happening. I also received a link to NOAA's current policy on nuisance animals. Hmm...

pss 06/06/10 - Instead of water spray (or oars), they're now using an electrical wire on the boat ramp to keep the sea lions off. I wouldn't mind so much if the fellow doing it, previously with an oar, didn't appear so gleeful when he turns on the electricity to watch all the sea lions jump off as quickly as possible with some looking like they injure themselves falling over wooden barricades. I have pictures of a mother and her newborn here.

pss 06/27/10 - I don't know if my complaint had anything to do with it, but the fellow formerly of the oar has been replaced by some very defensive city workers who now only appear to use water from a hose to move sea lions.

sand wasp

Twin Harbors State Park, Washington
August 14, 2008

Love the beautiful yellow legs! There were several in the area and they seemed to be nesting in the sand. I have no idea what it is.

ps 08/04/10 - Maybe a sand wasp (Bembicini) in the genus Bembix? I started looking again for an ID thanks to Bug Eric's blog post.

ps 07/22/13 - I originally posted this as an unknown solitary bee.  After looking for another wasp, I'm fairly confident this is a Bembix sp. wasp.  This got me thinking, what is the difference between a bee and a wasp?  From a quick search, bees feed on pollen and nectar and wasps are predators or parasites.  Without observing their feeding behavior and just looking at the body, bees are hairier and wasps are less so.  Something for me to keep in mind next time.