Wildlife Feature | California Ground Squirrels

July 18, 2020

We live in a wild world filled with curious creatures large and small. One of the greatest things that nature does for us is provides free entertainment day in and day out; if you’re willing to take the time and sit back and observe. It can be at peace or chaotic, filled with noise or completely silent. When you do take your time to stop, look, and listen - there’s always something going on in the wilderness and outside our personal bubble that is worth while.

California ground squirrels, also known as Beechey ground squirrels (named after ship captain Frederick Beechey who explored much of California in the 1820’s), are everything you want out of nature. They’re cute, energetic, silly, and have so much character. It’s not just the same character over and over - each one has a different personality; kind of like dogs.

Enjoy this compilation I shot and put together on the California Ground Squirrel.

California Ground Squirrel Facts:

California Ground Squirrels are found in Washington, Oregon, and California.
They can live up to six years in the wild.
They prefer to live in self-dug burrows located along plains, small meadows, tree-covered hillsides, rocky outcrops, and granite taluses.
While some burrows may be occupied communally, each individual squirrel has its own entrance.
They tend to stay within 100 feet of their burrow and primarily feed on seeds like oats, but also go after insects like crickets and grasshoppers, as well as various fruits.
California Ground Squirrels use their cheek pouches to store more food than they can consume and will eat it at a later date.
Females are promiscuous and can mate with multiple partners in one litter, which consists of 5 to 11 young and only takes one month of gestation.
Female squirrels will chew on the shed skins of rattlesnakes and then lick themselves and their pups to disguise their scent.
When they touch noses, it's a way to determine friend, family or foe, and decide if they are worth protecting.
California Ground Squirrels use a variety of sounds, including a high-pitched alarm call when they feel threatened that can last several minutes.
They are preyed upon by a range of animals, including red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, coyotes, foxes, badgers, weasels, house cats, dogs, and snakes.

Featured Photos

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Wildlife Feature | Pacific Gopher Snake

July 12, 2020

While trekking through the hills of Playa Del Rey, California - my fiance and I came across this beautiful Pacific Gopher Snake in our path. While at first we were both a little startled at first - there was no sign of the snake feeling intimidated. It continued to take rest underneath a sprouted set of leaves and we had an awesome moment together.

There’s truly something special about connecting eye to eye with wildlife…even if it can’t see me all that well (snakes have ridiculously horrible eyesight), but it certainly was smelling my presence. Enjoy the video below by taking a quick glimpse into the life of a Pacific Gopher Snake.

Gopher Snake Facts:

Pacific gopher snakes are nonvenomous, making them harmless to humans.
They are called gopher snakes because they primarily eat gophers, as well as other rodents.
Due to their similar coloration and patterns, they are often mistaken for rattlesnakes.
When threatened, they may hiss and vibrate their tails in a similar manner to rattlesnakes.
They typically reside in dens and burrows at elevations below 2000 feet.
The snake's natural predators include red-tailed hawks, coyotes, and foxes.
In the wild, they can live up to 15 years, while in captivity, they can reach up to 33 years.
Pacific gopher snakes can grow to a length of 4-9 feet.
During mating, male gopher snakes may bite females on the back of the neck.
Pregnant females lay between 2 and 8 eggs in late June or early July and do not incubate them.

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Wildlife Feature | Ducklings

July 5, 2020

Let’s face it - baby animals are adorable! It’s true, google it.

As I’m constantly venturing out into the wilderness I always have my camera ready to capture every moment in front of me. This time, the focus is on baby ducks - AKA ducklings. The images were taken in three different areas of Southern California - The Ballona Wetlands, Playa Vista and Zuma Beach in Malibu. Anywhere near water seems like a great opportunity to pause and observe wildlife of all kinds. There’s always something unique to capture.

Generic Duckling Facts:

Ducklings begin swimming after just one day in their nest.
They’re are not born waterproof. They get some waterproof covering from an oil gland found in their mother’s tail. This also helps with maintaining their body temperature and ensures they avoid drowning.
Females lay from 5-12 eggs and sit on them for about 28 days before they hatch.
The more sunlight the mother is exposed to, the more eggs she will lay.
It takes anywhere from 50 to 70 days for ducklings to be able to fly.
They’ll continue to stay under their mother’s supervision until they are about 1.5 to 2 months old.
Ducklings can feed themselves when they reach the water and learn what is edible from their mother.
Like adult ducks, ducklings feed mainly on small insects, tadpoles, aquatic plants & grasses.

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