This weekend, I decided to visit the Ellwood Butterfly Reserve and explore the area. Located in Ellwood Beach just north of Isla Vista, the butterflies travel to the Reserve between November and February. The butterflies are absolutely amazing and there are literally hundreds flying around you. Since I went on the weekend, there were many children, couples, and families there (even dogs!), so I would recommend going on the weekdays! Although it is not a long walk to the preserve, I would only recommend the walk for those that are able to go on a dirt trail (may not be ideal for seniors or those unable to easily walk).
The trail is a short hike from the road, intertwining between trees, old sofas, a giant trampoline and even a paintball gun war site! I was going to go to explore the trampoline, but soon found someone sleeping on it and quickly.. left! After leaving the trampoline, I continued on to the Butterfly Reserve. While the actual area is roped off, there are benches built into the hill for observers to sit on. I went to the Butterfly Reserve hoping to examine the butterflies up close and observe them in their temporary habitat. However, I soon realized (because it was the middle of the day and warm) the butterflies were constantly moving and too far to be seen up close. While I did take pictures in a zoom mode, I spent a majority of the time quietly sitting and observing, opposed to hands on exploring. The area was incredibly peaceful and the butterflies were absolutely beautiful. The butterflies are in large clumps in the trees, as well as floating around. While they were not mating yet, the environmentalist there explained that in a few weeks, they would be. As the sun went down, the butterflies begun to move around much less, and instead huddled together in large bunches in the trees.
After visiting the butterflies, I followed a trail out to the Ellwood Beach. Although I have run different trails out to this beach, I had never taken this specific trail. On the trail, I found an demolished cement bridge, as well as a new trail leading down to the beach. Although I spent some time on the beach, I am planning to go back to explore the tide pools and rocks at low tide. After 3 hours at the Butterfly Reserve, I went home and found the exploration a complete success. I was able to report back (came home safely!) but also enjoyed the experience.
Photo credit: Joshua Kennedy took pictures of the butterflies. (my roommate who went with me and is a photographer). Anna Nickelson (my little sister who also went) took pictures of me on the new trail we found.
This weekend, I went home to Marin County to spend the 3 day weekend. While at home, my mom and I went for a hike on a new trail on the mountains behind our house. While I had been on different parts of the mountain, we had never taken this specific trail and I haven't been up there in years. I told my mom about this class, so she thought it was a good idea to bring the camera and helped me explore off the trail. 
I think the most interesting and unique thing we found was a tree that had holes in it. We guessed the holes were from a woodpecker, but then a majority of the holes were also filled with acorns. We guessed that the acrons had been filled in by either squirrels or a bird. We took pictures of the tree and the low branches that almost touched the ground.
On the way back down the hill, we saw a man walking with his two sons and a large bird on a stick. The people on the trail had dogs, and as dogs passed, the bird would say "bad dog!" and then laughed. There were also horses, mules and cows on the tree. Last, many residents have said they have seen mountain lions and coyotes on the mountain, so we couldn't let my dog off the leash...
Since it was winter, a majority of the trees had lost its leaves. Also, some of the trees in Marin County are dying from Sudden Oak Death, which is a fungus that lives in the tree and the tree can die within 3 days of being infected (so says my mom!...) Other than the trees, the grass was dead and yellow, and there weren't any flowers in bloom. Today, it was in the 60's, and as we got higher up, we definitely started to take off layers of clothing. We eventually had to turn around and head home when we realized we had forgotten water! It was a really good day for a hike, and a nice way to spend some time with my mom while I was home. Although I think exploring on my own is a good way to reflect on the world around me, I also enjoy going on explorations with other people. Usually, they point out things that I completely walk by or would otherwise miss..
