Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Site Description

Location: 1750 Altadena Dr. Pasadena, CA 91107
Pasadena, CA 91107Habitat: Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Dimensions: 30*30 meters

The overall area of the crevice was forest-like, as the trees formed a strong canopy and their fallen leaves, essentially formed the ground. The area received little sunlight as the trees blocked it, from both sides inner of the crevice. The leaves that fell from the ground were from the dominant species of tree in the crevice, that being a Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia). At the very entrance to our area of observation was a bulk of plants that proved to be a severe nuisance, which included the following: Deer Weed (Lotus Scorparius), Green Everlasting (Gnaphalium californicum), and California (Flat-topped) buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). Each of these plants had a special characteristic that made their identification a lot easier, for instance the Green Everlasting was noticeable by its jagged ends and the Coast Live Oak, by its leaves. In wards we saw more trees to the north and the crevice leveled to form a steep hill, followed by more weeds. For animals, although they were lacking in abundance, they were somewhat diverse as we noticed several animals included the following : Bee fly(Anthrax albofasciatus cascadeusis),Ash-Throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens),Nuttall's Woodpecker(Picoides nutallii),Western Fence Lizard(Sceloporus occidnetalis lonipipes),Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon), and as their was several burrows it is highly likely that some rat or gophers live within the area as well.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

List of Animals/and or Evidence of Presence



  • Bee fly- Anthrax albofasciatus cascadeusis- This fly was seen primarily near our viewing area in the center of the crevice, and I identified the large amount of them by certain characteristics( primarily that being the furry abdomen). -Largely abundant

  • Ash-Throated Flycatcher- Myiarchus cinerascens- We saw this species of bird only once, that was when a sole bird was jumping from tree to tree during our observation, however it flew off fairly soon and so  the only way we really identified it was by the tail and light greenish coat.- Fairly rare

  • Nuttall's Woodpecker- Picoides nutallii-We only saw this bird once as it flew from one oak to the next barely outside the bottom of the crevice, therefore it wasn't abundant and it I identified it by the contrast of the white belly to the black tail and back. -Fairly Rare

  • Western Fence Lizard- Sceloporus occidnetalis lonipipes- It was a fairly common lizard that I spotted several times at the top of the crevice amongst rocks, and among the weeds on the hillside. I identified it by its reflective back. -Fairly Common 

  • Belted Kingfisher-Megaceryle alcyon- I had a brief sighting of what appeared to be one as it jumped amongst the canopy and then flew away before I could take a picture. It can be highly abundant as I didn't see it again, and I identified it by its back to tail contrast( fairly blue to black).-Rare

  • Unknown-N/A- I saw several burrows which appeared large enough to provide a home for a snake, or some sort of  gopher or possibly a rat. This serves as evidence that there is animals that live within the ground area of the crevice, although it's covered in leaves and webs. -N/A

List of Plants[ Diversity and abundance]




  • Green Everlasting- Gnaphalium californicum-This plant was found primarily at the bottom of the crevice and grew up to 3 feet, although it was already dead, it was still quite jagged.

  • California ( Flat-topped) Buckwheat- Eriogonum  fasciculatum-This plant was also found primarily at the bottom of the crevice alongside the Green Everlasting, however it was also found next to several trees on the side of the hill, and could grow to 3 feet as well.



  • Coast Live Oak-Quercus agrifolia-This tree was found all around our area, as it covered the sides and the northern part of our crevice, and one was at the center of our view point. This tree can reach up to eighty-feet, and it was evident that this tree was present as it's leaves essentially formed the ground.




  • Deer Weed- (Lotus scoparius)-We saw several of these weeds up in the most northern part of crevice, however do the time of year they were all dead, and at most were a subtle 2 feet.













Sunday, November 4, 2012

Set of Eaton Canyon Pictures(2/2)

This Photo taken at 11:20 on 10/29/12 displays how Fungi
[The colored things on the log]
has grown in the midst of decaying leaves and that these
leaves collectively form a floor.

Taken at 11: 28 on 10/29/12 we can have a good visual
as to the nature of the oaks to the side of the crevice
( and the steepness of the crevice itself)
and the amount of sunlight that the area receives.

Set of Eaton Canyon Pictures(1/2)

In this photograph , taken at 11: 27 on 10/29/12
you can see that we were in  the middle of
Forested crevice that has oaks to the north, and sides of us.

Taken at 11:37 on 10/29/12, We hear the birds chirping
and though we are able to find a nest in the upper part of this tree
we weren't able to find any birds.

At 11:41 on 10/29/12 These are the bulges on the central oak,
which we observed as slightly odd, as we couldn't find it on any neighboring
oaks.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Aleksandr's Observation Log

Eaton Canyon  is in the low 80's today, as the sky is clear blue, and there's an exceptional breeze as well. Date-October 29, 2012

11:22-I've arrived at the site, various Oak trees are to the side and center the crevice. Primarily dead leaves and bush form the ground, the sky is blue and clear. The weather is approximately 82F and there's a nice, light breeze.

11:26- Nothing changes with the environment except, crickets have begun chirping west of me.The ground is very steep, a strong breeze blows by and I observe a bird's nest with no birds in it.Temperature is the same.

11:32-Oaks on the hill, have a pile of dead brush slide, Sun shines more through the forested area and reveals a lot of spider webs kept spun from dead leaves to logs, and lots of fungi on log just under central oak. Several Flies appear.

11:37-Unidentifiable birds are chirping away in the trees, no change in temperature. Breeze has completely stopped. Several more webs are revealed from the sunlight.

11:42-There is a lone bird, jumping from tree to tree[ It was an ash-throated flycatcher], no change in temperature. There was a dog barking, and on central oak their appears to be some sort of bulge from the leaves. Flies appear in greater numbers unfortunately.

11:47- Temperature goes up to 84F, more birds and crickets chirping, little no change in scenery.

11:52-More Flies, only bird seen is a Belted Kingfisher that briefly flies from one oak to the next. No change in temperature and overall little to no change in scenery.