Malacothrix saxatilis
 
Hiking around Southern California this time of year can be a bit of a bummer. It’s finally cooled off enough to go back outside (maybe), and everything is brown. All the wildflowers are long gone.

And then, growing out of the driest, rockiest soil, is a little white flower. The Cliff Aster is one hardy plant. It’s not much to look at, being tall and spindly, but it is one of the only flowers that will still bloom in the late summer through winter. Every time I see one, I think I need to be more like Cliff Aster, thriving in even the harshest conditions.

Some Cliff Aster facts: they are endemic to California and are not found above 6,000 ft. They are members of the sunflower family and provide a nectar oasis for pollinators during the dry season. 

They may not be the flashiest wildflower, but they are this time of year. Their white petals, yellow center, and purplish tint on their underside always remind me that the earth is still alive even when everything appears brown and dead. It is a tiny flower of hope.

To sum up, Cliff Asters are resilient and inspire hope. I want to be more like Cliff Aster.
 

Actinemys marmorata
 
I have never seen a Western Pond Turtle in the wild, but for good reason. They are being out-competed by the invasive Red-Eared Slider, and their numbers are drastically dropping.

It’s not the Red-Eared Slider’s fault. It is 100% human irresponsibility. Sliders are WAY too easy to get as pets. In Downtown Los Angeles, you can buy a baby the size of a half dollar in a little carrying case for a few bucks. But then what? People aren’t prepared to take care of these turtles as they grow. And they will grow. This myth about staying the size of the container you keep them in is exactly that. A myth. There are so many Sliders needing homes, humane societies and rescue centers won’t take them anymore. Out of options, people dump them in the local waterways where Western Pond Turtles are supposed to live. I even found one dumped on the path when I was a docent at Malibu Creek State Park. I’d love to see some restrictions on selling sliders as pets!

Western Pond Turtles aren’t nearly as aggressive as sliders, which is why they are being bullied out of their habitats. They take a long time to mature to breeding age, so they aren’t able to replenish the population very quickly.  They eat vegetation and small aquatic animals.
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I’ve seen a few when I worked in wildlife rehabilitation. I love their checkered coloration! Every time I walk near a California waterway and I see a little turtle face poke out, I keep hoping it will be a Western Pond Turtle. Sadly, it never is. 

Danaus gilippus
 
I’ve been participating in a Monarch Butterfly study because they are migrating. We catch them, weigh them, measure them, tag them, and then release them again. They are on their way to Mexico to overwinter.

While we have been attempting to catch the wily insects, we have to avoid accidentally netting some of their mimics. We see mostly Painted Ladies, but I would really love to see a Queen Butterfly.

To my knowledge, I have never seen one. They are large and orange and white and black like Monarchs, but they are more solid and more brownish orange. Like Monarchs, they use milkweed as their host plants along with dogwoods. Even the caterpillar looks similar to the Monarch caterpillar, but a bit darker.

Queen Butterflies also do not undergo the arduous migration that Monarchs do. They may move slightly south to warmer climes. They are found throughout the Americas, so much of their range has mild winters.
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I’ll keep my eyes peeled as I’m netting Monarchs, but I would love to meet the Queen!