Outdoors
The Chirping Of Crickets Tells Us The Warmer Weather of summer is on its way, hopefully sooner than later. Their plaintive pleadings for mates are heard wherever bits of semi-natural scenery cut across the urban tapestry …
Jacaranda Trees Started Blooming inland a couple of weeks ago, but those planted in coastal San Diego began showing their bluish-purple color just this past week. That's not unusual, as the blooms typically are triggered …
Oleander, a consistent spring/summer bloomer that is widely planted in front and backyards throughout the county, is putting on a fine show in the medians of certain area thoroughfares and freeways, especially Interstate 5 in …
Wild Hyacinths and Mariposa Lilies have popped out on San Diego’s hillsides. Both flowers arise from underground bulbs, and were considered delicacies by the California Indians.A cluster of blooming chamise among the chaparral at Harris …
As the fragrance of orange blossoms stops its welcome wafting on the San Diego breeze, it is being replaced by the sweet scent of Mock Orange, also known as Japanese Pittosporum or Australian Laurel. Mock …
If you happened to glance up to the sky last night, you would have noticed that the Moon was missing. That’s because the New Moon has arrived. Traditionally, that means it's a good time to …
Wild Lilac (Ceanothus) has been springing its way eastward, reaching all the way to the Palomar, Cuyamaca, and Laguna mountains. This season’s late and staggered rains have led to hills painted blue and purple. Blooming …
Snakes, encouraged by recent warm temperatures, have already emerged from burrows and rock crevices to hunt for prey throughout the county’s lower-elevation hillsides and canyons. Gopher snakes, garter snakes, king snakes, rosy boas (all harmless), …
Land bird migration is in full swing this month in San Diego County, with warblers and flycatchers among those most commonly seen. Warblers crawl along tree limbs and branches to dine on their favorite insects, …
Monkey-flowers of various species are putting on an excellent display this month around San Diego. Look for these low, shrublike plants with their tubular flowers wherever native vegetation clothes the landscape — from the coastal …
The annual green-to-golden transition of San Diego’s wild grasslands starts during late March or early April, depending on the amount of late-season rainfall. North-facing hillsides and canyon slopes retain the green color longer, as they …