Plants and Animals
Mammals
Raccoon
Raccoons used to live in dense forests, but have adapted to living in many habitats, including around humans. Learn more…
Botta’s Pocket Gopher
It is easy to see why gophers help turn over and aerate the soil. Learn more…
California Ground Squirrel
These young ground squirrels are probably out looking for food. Learn more…
Desert Cottontail
No wonder this rabbit looks alert: it would make a nice meal for many predators, including hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and snakes. Learn More…
Birds
California Gnatcatcher
This little bird looks so vibrant it is hard to tell it is just 4 to 5 inches long and weighs only 0.2 oz (6 grams). Learn more…
Spotted Towhee
Spotted Towhees are large sparrows that can be hard to find because they spend their time on the ground under bushes and trees looking for food. Learn more…
White-Tailed Kite
This graceful hawk hunts over open areas for small mammals. When it spots a mouse or vole, it hovers in place high above the ground, Learn more…
California Thrasher
This bird is easy to find by ear once you know what it sounds like. Learn more…
Western Tanager
This beautiful bird is a male in his breeding plumage. Learn more…
Great Blue Heron
This Great Blue Heron has caught an alligator lizard, which it will swallow whole. Learn more…
California Scrub-Jay
In the fall, Scrub-Jays gather thousands of acorns from oak trees and hide them to eat during the winter. Learn more…
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is a fierce predator with sharp talons that spread up to 8” to grab their prey and toes that apply much greater crushing pressure than a human hand. Learn more…
House Wren
This House Wren is stuffing a stink bug into a nestling’s open beak and in a few seconds will zip off to hunt for more food. Learn more…
Insects and Arachnids
Praying Mantis
This praying mantis has just eaten the head of its prey, a katydid. Learn more…
Flame Skimmer
This beautiful dragonfly is a voracious carnivore that eats other insects. Learn more…
Lorquin’s Admiral
This butterfly is perched on a willow tree. It may be a male waiting for a female, or a female laying eggs on the leaf tips. Learn More…
Silver Argiope
This beautiful female spider is about ½ inch across. As with most spiders, the male is much smaller. Learn more…
Trapdoor Spider
These spiders are harmless to humans but have sharp fangs that stab downward into their prey. Learn more…
Amphibians
Pacific Treefrog
The Baja California Treefrog is just ¾ – 2 inches long but has a loud voice. Learn More…
Plants
Hooker’s Evening Primrose
It is a perennial herb which means it grows all year long. Learn more…
California Sycamore
It has a very distinctive fruit that is round and fuzzy. Learn more…
Ceanothus
They are drought tolerant and do not need water after the first year. Learn more…
California Poppy
It was given its name by a Russian naturalist exploring California in 1816. Learn more…
California Wild Rose
This plant can go dormant over the summer if it does not get enough water. Learn more…