Nature in L.A.

Bird's Nest Fungi, Exploding Eggs, and Mushroom Soup

Yay! Today I documented the first bird's nest fungus, Cyathus sp., in the North Campus
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bobcat backyard brick ledge
Nature in L.A.

Backyard Bobcats of L.A.

“Miguel, I found a dead bobcat!” It was 8:30 in the morning when I received a call from my friend Jessie Jennewein.
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Toyon on Los Vaqueros Watershed Miwok Trail
Nature in L.A.

California Holly: How Hollywood Didn't Get its Name
In Nancy Dale’s 1986 epic tome of Southern California native plants, Flowering Plants, she has this to say about Toyon — aka California Holly, Christmas Berry, or, if you’re a botanist, Heteromeles arbutifolia: 
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Cricket
Nature in L.A.

Niña de la Tierra: Children of the Earth
No it's not the title of a horror film, Children of the Earth bug is actually one of the many common names for Stenopelmatus fuscus.
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Brazilian Snail eating lettuce
Research and Collections

A Microscopic Look at Snail Jaws

Have you ever wondered what the inside of a snail's mouth looks like?
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lizard in palm of hand

'Tis the Season for Baby Lizards

Over the past few weeks, baby lizards have been hatching out of their eggs throughout Southern California.
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image of fig beetle
Nature in L.A.

When Fig Beetles Attack!
It’s a beautiful summer day in L.A. and I am strolling across a wide open lawn. The sky is bright blue and decorated with scattered clouds. 
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butterlfy on flower
Naturalist

A Multicolored Kaleidoscope

Watch colorful butterflies flutters in our Butterfly Pavilion.
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