Category: Pretty Critters

Family Addition & Nest Invasion

This was the scene four weeks ago: Mom sitting on the eggs, dad patrolling the pond, hissing and snarling at everything and anybody he deems dangerous for his family.

Yesterday the cygnets were already two weeks old and paddling around. Mom kept a watchful eye on them and dad patrolled the pond, hissing and snarling at everything and anybody he deemed dangerous for his family.

And what was happening behind the back of Cygne Père? Someone sneaked in and test-sat in the nest.

I assume that around bedtime there was some loud hissing and snarling to drive the pesky intruder away.

I Want To Be Under The Sea

Nothing easier than that!

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

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Swimming jewels.

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

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

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

Hungry? Or Spring Fever?

This is the first time ever that I saw the Inka Terns at the Los Angeles Zoo from only a few feet away.

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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!

Success!

Lions and tigers can be tamed and made to perform. Then why not smaller cats?

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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?

A River Runs Through It

It used to be that one could see the odd cormorant when walking along certain stretches of the L.A. River. By now they are hanging out there in whole flocks; and apparently they hunt for fish, too, because this splendid specimen is drying its feathers after diving.

Double-crested Cormorant
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
Anglers at the L.A. River

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

Carp
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.