Always watchful in case something wicked this way comes.

We don’t want that.

A trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach brings one right into the most spectacular octopus’s gardens imaginable.

Swimming jewels.

What Old Grumpy and friend are lacking in color, they more than make up in size.

If that isn’t enough, one can always pet a Manta ray or a shark.

Now I can distinguish a shark (small) from a Manta ray (huge) by touch alone – and yes, it is a completely different tactile experience.

They were hopping around on the footpath leading through the aviary. Even when I crept nearer and nearer, they did not seem to mind at all and continued to circle each other in some kind of dance, which involved a lot of flashing of beaks.

I still don’t know – where they waiting for the lunch lady or courting? Anyway, I got some nice shots of them!

Julchen has already learned to stand upright like a little tin soldier. It only took some patience and some special treats.

Iko-Chan is still resisting doing something as undignified as standing on her hind legs. Could Siamese cats have more willpower than lions and tigers?

Somehow I am glad that I am a bit taller than mouse size…

After the rush to the stores to stock up on chips, dips, beer, wings, pizza and related foodstuff essential for a Superbowl Sunday the streets emptied out and the town was all ours.

Unamerican? No, nice!

After a few minutes Mom gave him a pat on the head and Junior returned to the safety of the pouch.

Mom is always right, little one, better safe than sorry.

Double-crested Cormorant

Then one sees anglers. This again raises the question: “Fish? In the L.A. River? Big enough for people to catch? Has it really recovered that much?”

Anglers at the L.A. River

It has indeed, as can be seen from the catch of one of these gentlemen:

Carp

Six carp, each weighing in at about 3 – 4 pound.

So yes, the revitalization of the river is progressing. But can one eat the fish? Not a question which troubles the cormorants very much, but the anglers might be a bit concerned.

Here comes the next surprise: Yes, one can.

In September 2008 FoLAR published their second report, titled The Fish Study. According to this report the L.A. River is now populated (at least in the revitalized parts) by mosquitofish, tilapia, green sunfish, fathead minnow, carp, bullhead, Amazon sailfin cafish and largemouth bass. FoLAR also tested the fish for toxicity and found that all samples were below the OEHHA advisory levels for folks eating fish three times a week. So while some might decide to go for catch-and-release, the fish caught can be eaten. FoLAR advises however that it might be safer to just eat the fillets than cooking stew or soup, as chemical can concentrate in the head and guts. (By the way, that was what the gentleman with the six carp said – he was going to put the fillets on the barbecue the same evening.)

And there you are – the river running through L.A. is gaining back life in a big way. With cormorants and men going for fish, overall it does not look too bad for the water quality.

Some do it standing up (even on one leg)…

some cuddle side by side…

and some are just totally and absolutely relaxed…

Sweet dreams!

Busy, busy, busy!

These pretty redheads can be found in Griffith Park – if one knows where oak trees grow. Acorn Woodpeckers lead a busy life drilling holes into dead trees and collecting acorns to stick into the holes for later consumption.

Will it fit?

They also pick dried out acorns out of their holes and stick them into new ones with a tighter fit to prevent them from falling out; this ensures that the life of an Acorn Woodpecker is quite a busy one – tending to the stored acorns takes up a large part of their day.

Two Income (Acorn) Household

So many acorns, so little time! Plus, these busy birds always have to keep an eye out for the jays. Those pesky lazybones just love to harvest the granaries created by the woodpeckers.

Yes, Woodpecker Central in Griffith Park is a paradise for bird watchers. By the way, that is not the real name of the valley where the pretty redheads live, so don’t try to look it up on a map.