Every day is getting hotter, and our hottest months are ahead of us. For many humans, we are still thinking of summer vacations, backyard barbeques, and the beach. For a group of my entomological friends, we think of getting out to look for butterflies and bees! But as the daylight is getting shorter, and the seasons are changing, we also start to see the movement of flocks of birders anticipating Fall. Here in Southern California, in the last few weeks of the month, local birders start their annual return to the LA River and the shore, looking for shorebirds just beginning to return from their breeding grounds in the north. While only seeing a few birds so far, I have encountered a few small flocks of returning birders.  Nature lovers are moving closer about ponds and lakes looking for adult dragonflies. The dragonflies have emerged from their larval forms from the water as fully radiant adults to search for mates. Spot-winged gliders are migrating through our area and can be seen in small swarms. Our resident birds, and the birds that come here to breed, such as Yellow Warblers, are fledging, soon to fly off on their own. We saw some juvenile Western Gulls walking around a roof where apparently there was a nest. Just ten days later we returned to find them fledged, swimming and playing in the same area. Many of my friends are starting to disperse and fly off -- to southern Arizona for bird watching and the insects that come this time of year after the monsoons.

I went out whale watching. I saw many Common Dolphin (which I suppose are technically small toothed whales), but no large whales. However, my best view of dolphin was right off the beach. Bottlenose Dolphin put on quite a show.  One particularly exciting find for me was a "By-the-wind Sailor", a type of cnidarian (not a jelly, but more distantly related). I have seen them in the past out in the ocean, but never got a photo. One had washed up on the beach. They are moved about by ocean currents and the wind. A translucent vein projects upwards and acts like a sail.

One of my goals for this year was to do more art. I tend to procrastinate. I have started a project for myself to illustrate the wildlife of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands. This project is intended to give me some focus. I am trying to improve my artistic skills and doing is better than thinking about doing. I started the project this month and have made good progress, aided by the fact that my best camera and lens are in the shop. My first pieces are mostly 8x10 watercolor illustrations. This has led me to ask "Do ducks really need to have that many feathers? Is hair really necessary? Why did I start with such a challenge?" I am trying to improve techniques, patience, and to be less self critical. I am enjoying the process.:

Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Enjoy the show! I always appreciate corrections to ID's.

Local Stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_jul_2021

Whale Watch:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/whale_watch_jul-2021

Dominguez Gap Art Project:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/art_of_dominguez_gap