Bigleaf maple, San Gabriel River Trail (11/17/19) Steve Shinn
Liturgy describes St. Gabriel (San Gabriel in Spanish) as the archangel of judgment. If so, then color spotter Steve Shinn judges the West Fork of the San Gabriel River as absolutely angelic.
Steve volunteers for the U.S. Forest Service, capturing the beauty of San Gabriel National Forest and people enjoying it. As such, he visits the area regularly and writes he would vote the West Fork of the San Gabriel River, which connects CA-39 above Azusa, as one of the most beautiful spots in the San Gabriel Mountains.
W Fork San Gabriel River (11/17/19) Steve Shinn
San Gabriel NF (11/9/19) Steve Shinn
W Fork San Gabriel River (11/17/19) Steve Shinn
W. Fork San Gabriel River – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW or YOU MISSED IT.
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Freeman’s maple, LA County Arboretum (11/8./19) Frank McDonough
Freeman’s maple, Acer fremanii, is on fire at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, reports Frank McDonough.
Known as Jeffersred (cultivar) or Autumn Blaze (trade name), this fast-growing hybrid maple was crossed between red maple, Acer rubrum (midwest), and silver maple, Acer saccharinum (Eastern).
It’s a popular choice in urban forests across California due to its dense crown, attractive shape and red-orange autumn leaves.
American elm, LA County Arboretum (11/8/19) Frank McDonough
Tupelo tree, LA County Arboretum (11/8/19) Frank McDonough
Black locust and Eastern redbud, LA County Arboretum (11/8/19) Frank McDonough
Freeman’s maple, LA County Arboretum (11/8/19) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Arcadia (482′) – Patchy (10-50%)
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2019-11-08 20:22:402019-11-08 20:28:39Freeman's Maple on Fire
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2019-11-03 22:42:372019-11-05 09:45:53At Last, LA
Newbury Park Section, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
On Oct. 7, fire spread across the Newbury Park section of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California.
Fortunately, the Wendy Fire was limited to 91 acres with no structures lost or human injuries. Its quick containment is credited to the National Park Service which, anticipating Santa Ana Winds, had pre-staged fire crews and equipment from Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks to help the Santa Monica Mountains team.
Previously, the Newbury Park section of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA been singed by the 2013 Springs Fire and the 1993 Green Meadow Fire. Then, in November last year, the Woolsey Fire devastated 89% of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA, including areas that containing Western sycamore like these:
California sycamore, Mulholland Highway, Santa Monica Mountains (10/6/18) Peter Asco
California sycamore, Mulholland Highway, Santa Monica Mountains (10/6/18) Peter Asco
At the time, we expressed concern over the future of the sycamore which are native to the Santa Monica mountains.
Large-flowered Phacelia, Santa Monica Mountains NRA (5/13/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Humboldt Lily, Santa Monica Mountains NRA (5/24/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Fortunately, fire is a natural thing and nature recovers. SoCal color spotter and birder Kathy Jonokuchi reported that wildflowers were spectacular and lasted well into August with Large-flowered Phacelia covering the canyon and Humboldt lilies showing beautifully.
Rose hips, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Western sycamore, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Then today, she sent these images from the recent Wendy Fire, showing Western sycamore pushing out fall color and wild rose that are abundantly covered with bright rosehips.
Western Meadowlark can sing about it now, though the Wendy Fire did not leave behind much meadow to land in. What is there remains blackened. So, they spent their time in the trees.
Western meadowlark, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Happier days are ahead and we will keep watch over this great urban national park, as it continues its recovery.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (3,110′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
Cottonwood, Big Tujunga Creek, Sunland-Tujunga (12/15/18) Ken Lock
The Big Kahuna for fall color in Southern California’s mountains this past weekend was Big Tujunga Creek near Sunland-Tujunga where Ken Lock captured cottonwood still carrying gold.
Yes Gidget, it’s past peak. Though, spots of peak color can still be found here and there in Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Mountains.
Cottonwood, Big Tujunga Creek, Sunland-Tujunga (12/15/18) Ken Lock
Big Tujunga Creek, Sunland-Tujunga, Los Angeles – Past Peak, You Missed It.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-12-19 21:42:552018-12-19 21:46:48Big Tujunga is the Big Kahuna
A colorful ending, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA is the last place to give away an ending. As residents of the world capital of movie making, Angelenos will tell you to go see it, but will never say how it turns out.
That’s why we were a little surprised when Frank McDonough of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia sent these scenes from the closing moments of autumn at The Arboretum.
As colorful endings go, the finale at the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens is as memorable as any we’ve seen, but please don’t say we gave away the ending.
Crepe myrtle and bamboo, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
The Arboretum is already working on a sequel
Red oak, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
California palm, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
Paperwhites and common Birch, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
Rated R
Crepe myrtle, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
Peacock, LA County Arboretum (12/18/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia – Peak to Past Peak, You Almost Missed It.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-12-16 18:37:292018-12-16 18:44:51Four Shopping Days Left
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (12/11/18) Frank McDonough
Southern California color spotter Alysia Gray Painter of NBC knows her fall color.
Each year, she’s been one of the first color spotters in Southern California to alert us to color appearing in her region, and today headlined a post on NBCLosAngeles.com about SoCal’s late-peaking fall color, “Wow, Now.”
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
It’s almost as if Gingko trees know the lyrics to “Come Alive.” As, they’ve become The Greatest Showman, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Arcadia.
Come alive, come alive Go and light your light Let it burn so bright Reaching up To the sky And it’s open wide You’re electrified
– Come Alive, Joseph Trapanese and John Debney
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
Frank McDonough sends this holiday postcard of late autumn color from “The Arboretum,” remarking that “The color is still at it.” Indeed it is.
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
Liquidambar, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/8/18) Frank McDonough
White-Tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa (12/4/18) Kathy Jonokuchi
Images of the devastation wrought by the Camp and Woolsey fires haunt the closing days of an otherwise beautiful autumn.
However, Southern California color spotter Kathy Jonokuchi found hope on a visit to one of her favorite birding locations in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa.
The area was spared being consumed by the Woolsey Fire, though it is still recovering from the Springs Fire of ’13 and ashen scars blight surrounding hills.
Two threads of local history intertwine at the site. Ranch structures represent its pioneer ranching past, while native plants reflect the environs where Chumash Indians lived for thousands of years. before the ranching era. Big Sycamore Canyon Trail descends from Satwiwa to the Pacific Ocean along an historic Chumash trade route.
The Satwiwa Loop Trail is designated for hikers only, and meanders through an area considered sacred by the Chumash. There, within areas of coastal sage scrub that were not burned, live deer and coyote. Sweeping views of Boney Mountain and Sycamore Canyon can be seen along the trail, as well as many raptors.
The Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center is open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Native people lead workshops and presentations and participate in art shows there, throughout the year.
Northern Harrier, Circus Hudsonius, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa (12/4/18) Kathy Jonokuchi
Northern Harrier, Circus Hudsonius, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa (12/4/18) Kathy Jonokuchi
White-Tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa (12/4/18) Kathy Jonokuchi
On Kathy’s visit to Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, a congregation of five White-Tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) were hovering and hunting. She also saw Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), this one female, swooping low in search of inattentive voles and slithering snakes.
Kathy reports that at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, she’s seen American Kestrels, Cooper’s Hawks, Red-Tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures.
It’s such an outstanding location for bird watching that Kathy has nicknamed it “Raptorland.”
See, there is a Jurassic Park in Southern California! And, it’s one that’s proven its resilience to nature’s fires. It’s the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Santa Monica Mountains NRA – Peak Wildlife Viewing (75-100%) GO NOW!
