With this post I'm taking you across the street from Madrona's Nature Center, covered in my prior post, to the Madrona Marsh Preserve itself.
There aren't many wetlands left within the vast expanse of Los Angeles County. Even though I've lived in the general area for more than two decades, I'd never paid a visit to this 43-acre throwback to a different time until 2018. And it's only nine miles from our current home! You can read about my first visit here and my second in 2019 here. I'd intended to pay another visit in early summer 2019 but somehow that plan was delayed for four years.
The marsh itself hasn't changed much, which I suppose is a good thing. Without any actual data, and despite our heavier-than-usual rain in January, my sense is that the preserve is drier than it was at the time of my last visit at the end of January 2019. I also saw far fewer birds on this occasion; however, the fabric of the place is still much the same.
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| These signs establish the rules governing use of the Preserve, which were generally respected even without any obvious enforcement measures |
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| In this case, it's worth paying attention to the map and the information it offers before heading off along one trail or another |
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| This is what the Preserve refers to as coastal prairie |
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| The bush sunflowers (Encelia californica) were blooming throughout the prairie area |
In contrast to the native plant garden surrounding the Nature Center, the emphasis within the preserve itself has less to do with individual plants than the overall feel of the place but that doesn't mean I didn't take a close look at selected plants.
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| Clockwise from the upper left, I identified Amsinckia menziesii (fiddleneck, an annual herb), Baccharis salicifolia (mulefat), Encelia californica, Peritoma arborea (bladderpod), Quercus agrifolia (California live oak), and Salix laseolepis (arroyo willow) |
The "vernal pools" that fill during our winter rainy season were more evident than they were during my first visit in 2018 but appeared less expansive than they'd been at the time of my 2019 visit.
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| The water's depth was less than one foot in this pool |
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| This was the best shot I got of the geese on site. I spotted another pair in the wetland area but, partially screened by dry foliage and trees, the photos I took of them were fuzzy. I made a serious mistake in visiting the marsh without a telephoto lens. |
I'd hoped to find more birds in the wetlands. I did but their numbers were noticeably less than I found during my 2019 visit. Whether that had to do with the lower water levels or colder temperatures associated with the storm system moving into our area - or other factors entirely - I can't say.
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| You know you've entered the deeper wetland area when you see clumps of tule (Schoenoplectus acutus) in the water |
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| The bare tree branches are all the more attractive when reflected in the water |
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| This was my best photo of a duck, even if he was turned away from me, apparently sleeping, and half-hidden within a thicket of branches |
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| There were numerous pairs of ducks in this area of the wetlands but, without a telephoto lens, I wasn't able to get many photos |
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| These were my best duck photos, taken nearer the shore but still at a distance and therefore somewhat fuzzy |
On my way to the exit, I passed the Preserve's propagation nursery.
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| I think the propagation done here is done for the benefit of the Preserve and not for sale |
If you're in the area and interested in a visit, I recommend checking out the Preserve's website. There's no charge for admission, although you can offer a donation. Spring and early summer may be the best times to visit; however, the website has slideshows and videos showing what the area looks like at other times of the year. It also offers photos of the insects, birds, and even mammals that call the area home. I'm going to try to pay an early summer visit this year - and I'll bring the camera with a telephoto lens with me next time.
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend. It's unusually cold here and we're anticipating heavy rain today. We briefly had hail yesterday morning!
All material © 2012-2023by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party