Winter at the BFS
January 8, 2009 by Nancy Hamlett
Some people think that Southern California doesn’t have seasons, but they’re wrong — our seasons are just different from what folks from back east have in mind. But sometimes even here we get hints of traditional winter. A recent early-morning visit to the BFS revealed the East Field covered with rime looking very wintry indeed.
Along the drive, the Toyons (Heteromeles arbutifolia) flaunted an abundance of the red berries that reminded early settlers of holly, giving Hollywood its name. Toyon berries not only provide food for many BFS birds, including Northern Mockingbirds and Cedar Waxwings, but are also eaten by coyotes — as clearly evidenced by their scat.
And, of course, snow-capped Mt. Baldy provides a glorious backdrop to winter scenes at the BFS.
