I started this blog post earlier in the month, but after my first few paragraphs were too depressing. I was addressing the California wildfires, the political changes, the state of the environment, and now the plane crash and it's politicization. My own moods have been stressed and depressed this month.  I decided to erase it and start over.  I seek out nature to heal my soul and pursue happiness. So I will focus on the happy moments.

My broken foot and ankle are healing nicely and I am out and about more freely once again.

I started the year with my annual LB100 event, finding 100 bird species in Long Beach on the first day of the year. A dozen people participated for some or all of the day and a final tally of 104 species! View the eBird Trip Report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/311930

I had a nice moment with a Coyote on the Nature Trail in Lakewood. He didn't mind me following him for a bit. Other mammals appeared on my motion activated night cameras in my yard: Racoons, skunk, opossum, and neighbor cats.

Spring is on its way. A few of my plants have started to bloom. Goldfinches are getting brighter yellow, House Finches are getting brighter red, and birds are just beginning to make attempts at spring songs.

While nothing particularly noteworthy in terms of wildlife, I am thrilled to be be back out on the Los Cerritos Wetlands monthly survey having missed it for the past four months.

A pelagic birding trip out of Redondo Beach with the Los Angeles Birders was a lovely day, even though it started out sooo early in the morning. It was mostly a gull trip, but there was one feeding frenzy with Common Dolphin, which is always a thrill.

Happy nature watching. I hope you find moments of happiness!
 

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

Local Stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_jan-2025

Pelagic Trip Out of Redondo Beach:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/pelagic_trip_jan-2025

Los Cerritos Wetlands Bird Survey:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/hellman_jan-2025