Birds Eye View

This is a sketch of our site drawn by Albino. The site is 10 paces x 5 paces. On the bottom right of the photo is a whipple yucca, and in the top left is the whipple yucca again but aged nine or more years. In the middle of the site there are many dead branches and leaves.

Animal List

The list below is the list of animals that we encountered at our Eaton Canyon Trip (*s mean more than one animal)

• Honeybee  (Apis mellifera)*
• Side-blotched Lizard ( Uta stansburiana )
• Western Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus tigris)
• Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinatus)
• Gray Tree Squirrel (sciurus griseus)
• Fox squirrel (sciurus)
• Great Basin Frence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis longipipes)
• Bee Flies (Bombyliidae)
• True Flies (Diptera)*
• Scentless Plant Bugs (Rhopalidae)
• Tachinid Flies (Tachinidae)
• Annelida (segmented worms)*
• Dragonfly (anisoptera)
• Brown Leatherwing (Cantharis consors)

List of Plants

Below is the list of plants that we  encountered at our journey through Eaton Canyon. ( *s mean more than 2)

• Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) 
• Bush Sunflowers (Encelia californica)* 
• Buckwheat (Polygonaceae) 
• White Sage (Salva apiana) 
• Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)
• Black Mustard (Brassica nigra)* 
• Pine Goldenbush (Ericameria pinifolia)* 
• Whipple Yucca (Yucca whipplei ssp. parishii)* 
• Laurel Sumac (Taco Plant) - (Malosma laurina)* 
• Mule Fat (Baccharis salicifolia)
• Tobacco Tree (Nicotiana glauca)
• White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)*
• Cliff Aster (Malacothrix saxatilis)
• Green Everlasting (Gnaphalium californicum)
• California Black Walnut (Juglans californica)
• Toyon (Hollywood Plant) - (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Site Description

Location: Eaton Canyon Park

Habitat:Grassland

Dimensions of site: 10 paces x 5 paces

In our observation site the ground was covered with many dead branches and leaves. Some rocks were scattered around the area, but many were to small to sit on. The area we were seated on had no canopy due to it being an open area. Our observation site was very peaceful and quiet with very few animals wandering by. On our way to the observation site we stumbled upon many plants and animals such as Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) which in our case, had reddish-brown leaves connected to branches protruding from the ground. Other plants include Bush Sunflowers (Encelia californica) tiny, small yellow flowers with a brown middle, Buckwheat (Polygonaceae) a shrub with small white flowers at the tips of the stems, White Sage (Salva apiana) a shrub with white-covered green leaves that smelled like sage, Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) a shrub with leaves that looked like small pine leaves. Some animals that we saw were the Side-blotched Lizard ( Uta stansburiana ) Sandy looking lizard with tiny white spots scattered on his back. At our observation site we encountered Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) a shrub with bright yellow flowers at the tip of the stem, Pine Goldenbush (Ericameria pinifolia) a shrub with pine looking leaves coming from every which way on the stem, Whipple Yucca (Yucca whipplei ssp. parishii) a shrub with needle-like leaves radiating from the center (some forms had a dried out stalk with seeds at the top on it), Laurel Sumac (Taco Plant) - (Malosma laurina) a tree with taco shaped leaves and dried out flower bunches. Some animals at our observation site were the Honeybee  (Apis mellifera) flying bug that is yellow with black stripes. Can sting you if bothered, Side-blotched Lizard ( Uta stansburiana ) sandy looking lizard with tiny white spots scattered on his back. There was some evidence of birds in the area because they could be heard chirping. 

Pine Goldenbush

This is a picture of a pine goldenbush taken at our observation site. This picture was taken on 10/29/12 at 12:12 military time at Eaton Canyon. The pine goldenbush is a native plant with needle like leaves that smell like sage. This plant can grow up to 6 feet tall. As you can see in this picture the plant is dried out.

Laurel Sumac

This is a picture of a Laurel Sumac tree. It was taken on 10/29/12 at 12:07 military time at Eaton Canyon. Under this tree is where we found the geocache box. This tree is a native shrub and can grow up to 7 feet tall. The leaves are slightly folded and has sap that can sometimes irritate the skin.

Whipple yucca(after nine years)

This is a whipple yucca after it has been living for nine years or more. This photo was taken on 10/29/12 at 12:06 military time at Eaton Canyon. This is the same plant as the green spiked leaves plant as pictured before on this blog. The only difference is that this plant has aged nine years or more and died. After nine years the stalk grows from the plant and sprouts seeds. The plant then dies, turning a yellowish color like in this picture.

Whipple yucca

This is a whipple yucca plant which was located in our observation site. This photo was taken on 10/29/12 at12:07 military time at Eaton Canyon. This plant is a native shrub with spiked leaves radiating from its center point. After about nine years a stalk can come from its center point which can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Geocache box

This is the box that was found under a tree in our observation site. It was taken on 10/29/12 at 11:49 military time at Eaton Canyon.Inside was a couple of notes and souvenirs dating back to 2005.

Observation Log- Tooley 10/29/12

11:15- Slight breeze, hot climate, sunny, 77 degrees

• Just arrived at our observation site, shady with many dessert looking plants around us.
• Only animal life seen are a couple of flies and bees buzzing around
• A large Yucca plant is settled North of me
• Many dead branches and a black mustard plant is located behind me

11:27- Still hot, sunny, no climate change 77 degrees

• A maggot has just landed on my observation log paper
• Voices can be heard yelling in the canyon

11:32- Slight breeze, sunny no climate change 77 degrees

•  Found a geocache box hiding under one of the trees next to me. Inside was a couple of letters dating back to 2005 and some small trinkets.
• No change in environment, all animals are quiet or non-existent 

11:37- Sunny, hot, no climate change 77 degrees

• A bluejay is spotted in one of the trees behind me. 
• Shade has shifted leaving me in the sun
• More maggots come to buzz around me

11:45- Sunny, hot, increase in temperature, 78 degrees

• Purple dragonfly has just flown by me. 
• No animal life can be heard right now. Only a couple of flies and bees buzzing around.