LA Arboretum: Wildlife

We often go walking at the Arboretum.  It's long name is the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden. It occupies 127 acres of the old Rancho Santa Anita, purchased as an Arboretum in 1947.  Located in Arcadia, it lies just below the San Gabriel Mountains.  I hope to acquaint you with some aspects of it over a number of posts.When we last visited on Sunday, it was a bright sunny day with temperatures in the 70s.  I took along the camera to share some of it with you.

The bees were so active on this bush, nestling themselves deep within each flower.

A monarch butterfly was still fluttering around the butterfly bush in the herb garden.

The ducks and geese were on the pond as usual, with the black-crowned night heron a-perch on a dried branch in the water.  They are all year-round residents.

Wood Duck

Canadian Geese

Black-crowned Night Heron

This heron usually fishes at dusk and night, but does rest near this pond in the late afternoon.  They do not look like their relatives in the heron family, with a stocky body and shorter bills, legs and neck than other herons. But they are excellent fishers. When after prey, they dive into the water with their necks extended. I love the unusual shape and silhouette of this heron.

One other bird was found singing high up in the trees.

Red-whiskered Bulbul

His red markings are not visible in this photo, but there are some other photos of him at this link.  His red marking and the tall black crest on his head make this bird distinctive in the wild.  This bird is originally from Asia, but has established a local population in Southern California.  It feeds on berries and insects, but is taking his leisure in this photo, perhaps waiting for some dinner to fly by.

This is only a small look at the Arboretum.   In the coming weeks I'll post more.