To the Point!

Almost decent shot of a Cal gnatcatcher.

The toughest decision anyone can face. You have the time to visit somewhere...but where!?

After a bit of mental gymnastics, I had an inclination to focus on tuna crabs. This has been a swarm year for this normally unseen pelagic species, and locals had been reporting them from Dana Point harbour in the same county. As much as all crustaceans have a fascinating life history, this particular species was certainly one of the most unique. It's visibility this year likely stemmed from El Nino conditions, which may not return for years, or even decades, making this a special opportunity.

I spent the first portion of the morning on the trails at Dana Point, and came across a peculiar lump of sand shuffling around. It turns out that, in retrospect, it was a mistake to pick it up and rub the sand off...because the sand was actually a layer of fine hairs that often contributes to this beetle's unique appearance. As such I can only lament as I present the least dusty dusty june beetle the world has ever seen. Oops!

Dusty june beetle, Amblonoxia palpalis.

Besides this, there wasn't a whole lot to see. It must have been a bit unseasonal, as even the plants were quite dry, and it was mostly just sand and shrubs about with little life. But a bit of colour was then to spruce up the day, as I walked back to the main road. A large sulphur, probably cloudless, which is a common urban visitor. Except, quite a bit more orangey yellow than usual.

Some sort of sulphur butterfly.

It turns out this was the large orange sulphur, a subtropical butterfly that is very rare in California. However, as I was chasing this butterfly hoping it would land, I saw a second individual flutter past as well! This one did perch, and the photos were much more appealing.

Large orange sulphur, Phoebis agarithe. It is large. And orange.

It turns out that this species has started colonizing, utilizing its host plant, as planted in urban sprawl, to substantiate its spread. As such, it seems this species will quickly become an annual occurrence in Orange County in the years ahead. Very interesting!

Waving away the orange flame, I scoured the east side of the nature trail, en route to the nature center. I noticed the yellow globes of western coastal wattle. An invasive species here originating from Australia, fond of the likeness of its climate that California offers. A new species for me, at least.

Western coastal wattle, Acacia cyclops.

While loosely scanning for Opuntia x vaseyi among the usual prickly pears, I came across the buzzing of a new bee fly for me, Thyridanthrax nugator, which humbly alighted on the gravel beside the path. Quite a well-patterned species, and one I've been aware of but not seen until today.

Thyridanthrax nugator.

Cacama crepitans, the coastal species of cactus dodge cicada, cackled nearby, not to be seen today. But meanwhile I was occupied with some somewhat confiding California gnatcatcher. Seeing this bird today reminded me that only a few months ago I was scrambling hillsides trying to get no more than a shadowy glimpse of this local specialty.

A decent shot of a California gnatcatcher.

To add to the new invasives, I bumped into some young plants of the horrifyingly noxious cape smilax. Such an innocent and unassuming looking plant, but one that is fond of establishing a hold over native shrubs.

An innocent and unassuming looking plant.

From there, it was time to hit the harbour, finally. Immediately I spotted the scarlet bobbing of a tuna crab at the surface, a species that is evidently adept at swimming. What was only single digits at first soon became double, and potentially hundreds under the shade of the harbour buildings. Mission accomplished!

Tuna crab, Pleuroncodes planipes.

Other overdue life checks for me in the harbour included rudderfish, garibaldi, and something which my dad has the real credit for finding, Haller's round ray! Now on to the next!

Haller's round ray, Urobatis halleri.