Photo of a California Ground Squirrel who was busy gathering food for its winter snooze. They can be identified by their mottled fur containing a mixture of gray, light brown and dusky hairs. California Ground Squirrels can live up to 6 years in the wild. They give a high pitched alarm call to warn others of predators and are preyed upon by red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, coyote, fox, badgers, weasels, house cats, dogs, and snakes. #californiagroundsquirrel #groundsquirrel #squirrel #animal #outdoorphotography #wildlife #sepulvedabasin #sepulvedadam #sepulveda #lakebalboa #park #parkinglot #nature #cute #vannuys #scal #log #hike #walk (at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF83eo_h3_g/?igshid=18jxslz7oodxl

I took this photo at sunset as this great egret swooped over the lake. The great egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. They breed in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. They feed on on fish, frogs, small mammals, reptiles and insects. #sepulvedadam #heron #egret #greategret #white #flight #wings #soar #reflection #lake #sepulvedabasin #lakebalboa #shermanoaks #vannuys #sunset #birdsofinstagram #bird #birdwatching #nature #wildlife #outdoorphotography #scal #california #ripples #sepulvedabasinwildlifereserve (at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF8r7DVhLg9/?igshid=17hlajfvnkw38

Driving on the roads by Los Olivos and this tree in the field caught my eye. The California live oak is an evergreen tree that grows west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The tree typically has a much-branched trunk and thrives in the coastal environment in full sun. #roadtrip #driving #california #fieldsofgold #tree #farm #land #outdoors #nature #oaktree #californiaoak #oak #coastliveoak #afewinterestingfacts (at Los Olivos, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFlgenhBpuQ/?igshid=6lk4kazjeoct

Photoshoot a few years ago at Cal Tech in Pasadena with actress Marina Edwards. Hair and makeup by Sandy Li. #actress #headshot #photoshoot #model #caltech #perspective #portrait #portraitphotography #acting #modelmayhem (at Caltech) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFgrFMJh11u/?igshid=14byajql6h0np

I spotted this Osprey perched on a tree overlooking the lake. Osprey mainly feed on fish. It is a large raptor, measuring more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings. Osprey and owls are the only raptors whose outer toe is reversible, allowing them to grasp their prey with two toes in front and two behind. Other evolutionary traits are that it has backwards-facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to hold onto fish. It has dense plumage which is oily and prevents its feathers from getting waterlogged. It also has closable nostrils to keep out water during dives. #raptor #osprey #ospreysofinstagram #bird #birdwatching #hawk #birdsofinstagram #birds #birdsofprey #wings #talons #lake #sepulvedabasin #sepulvedadam #lakebalboa #perch #perched #nature #outdoor #wildlife (at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFf8ZIJBk8e/?igshid=39exwcitezj7

I spotted this Cottontail Rabbit on an early morning stroll through the Sepulveda Basin this morning. There were a lot of them foraging in the early morning. 80% of its diet is forbs, leaves and grass. When spotting a potential predator, it freezes in place in an attempt to avoid being detected. #cottontail #rabbit #bunny #wildrabbit #cottontailrabbit #wildlife #animals #cute #foraging #sepulvedabasin #sepulvedadam #balboapark #lakebalboa #afewinterestingfacts (at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFfnnvIBCjd/?igshid=19qyqk29q4u33

The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles was designed by Frank Gehry and opened on October 24th 2003. Walt Disney’s widow, Lillian made an initial gift of $50 million in 1987 to build the performance venue. It was completed in 2003 for an estimated $274 million. The building consists of 6,500 stainless steel panels, no two of which are the same shape or size. #losangeles #la #dtla #waltdisneyhall #disney #architecture #architecturephotography #concerthall #waltdisneyconcerthall #disneyconcerthall #frankgehry #design #style #reflection #lines #afewinterestingfacts #steps #stairs #skyscraper (at Walt Disney Concert Hall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFbPJSeh7lj/?igshid=n4xdxwvliyra

This photo is the red-tailed hawk was taken at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife refuge. This hawk was scavenging the recent burn area. The hawk is protected in the US by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America. It is a predator of small mammals such as rodents, ground squirrels, other birds and reptiles. I’m not@sure what it’s eating in this photo. #hawk #redtailedhawk #balboa #lakebalboa #sepulveda #sepulvedadam #sepulvedabasin #sepulvedabasinwildlifereserve #wildlifephotography #bird #birdwatching #birdofprey #wildlife #fire #fires #californiafires #outdoorphotography #birdsofinstagram (at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFYitiWB8hq/?igshid=aq4bmvoylu3p

This photo was taken in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve after the area recently suffered multiple fires. This American kestrel was resting on some burnt out branches. This small falcon and can be identified by the pairs of black vertical slashes on the sides of their pale faces. #sepulveda #balboa #sepulvedabasin #sepulvedadam #vannuys #california #falcon #birdwatching #americankestrel #kestrel #bird #fire #burnt #losangeles #la #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birdsofinstagram #birdsofprey #outdoors (at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXpeWDBtJr/?igshid=g7oqg8xqqva

Once upon a time, 25 million American bison roamed the US and Canada but by the late 1880s, bison numbers in the US were fewer than 600. The Bison on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake, Utah has been in existence since 1893 (one of the oldest and largest publicly owned bison herds in the nation). There are between 550 - 700 bison on the island. Called “wallowing”, bison roll in the dirt to deter biting flies (you can see a large number of flies in this photo) and also to help shed fur. They are the largest mammal in the US and weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall. #bison #antelopeisland #antelopeislandstatepark #utah #outdoors #wildlife #herd #bull #buffalo #wallowing #horn #animal #dust #plainsbison #americanbison #roadtrip #utah (at Antelope Island State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFVhJjzh8me/?igshid=179yvtu9ru80c

Photoshoot with Breanna in Old Town Pasadena with hair and makeup by the talented @sandyli89 #modelmayhem #model #photoshoot #headshot #glamour #modeling #portraitphotography #portrait #fashion #makeup #hair #style #beauty #modelshoot (at Old Town Pasadena) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFVR96fhiQe/?igshid=1ru38l2oiusnu

Costa’s Hummingbird is very small, a mature adult growing to only 3 to 3 1/2 inches. The male Costa's has a mainly green back and flanks, a small black tail and wings, and patches of white below their throat and tail. Its most distinguishing feature is its vibrant purple cap and throat with the throat feathers flaring out and back behind its head. The male courtship display is a series of swoops and arcing dives, carefully angling to the sun showing off his violet plumage to impress. Each high-speed dive passes within inches of the female, which will be accented by a high-pitched shriek that is produced by the tail. #costa #costashummingbird #costas #hummingbird #bird #smallbird #crown #tail #wings #arizona #tucson #az #wildlife #birdwatching #desert #refuge #tucsonwildlifecenter (at Tucson Wildlife Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFOW5GzhoeQ/?igshid=ax8uk0x7mopt

The Conor Pass in County Kerry is one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland with beautiful scenery and dramatic views. On the narrow winding road from Dingle you can view glaciated landscape of mountains, lakes and the beautiful valley below. Pedler’s Lake is one of the best vantage points with fantastic views of the Dingle Peninsula along the Wild Atlantic Way. #ireland #eire #irish #travel #tourism #travelireland #kerry #cokerry #countykerry #thewildatlanticway #scenic #scenery #dingle #wildatlanticway #thefullirish #roadtrip #geology #westkerry #pedlerslake #pedlers #lake #mountain #snow #valley (at Conor Pass, Dingle Peninsula) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFGkrX0hbmg/?igshid=15rkwynvoxfoj

Ducklings are born looking different from adult ducks. Duckling mortality is higher in the first 10 days after hatching due to cold weather, lack of food, parasitic diseases and attacks from predators. They are also vulnerable because they cannot fly away or swim fast enough to scape predators. Unlike adult ducks, ducklings do not have waterproof down. Eventually the brood grows their own feathers and are able to live independently, swim, find food, fly, and migrate in the winters. #fullerton #brea #craigpark #park #orangecounty #california #duckling #babyduck #duck #water #fuzzyduck #lake #pond #cute #animal #bird #wildlife (at Craig Regional Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEI-AphMJQ/?igshid=b8xkxjz1erqw

Still life photo of a little statue I used to have of a knight. By the 1400’s most knights wore plate armor which was made in sections, so it was fairly easy to walk in, but was very hot to wear. Only the wealthy could afford to be knights, due to the armor being so costly. It weighed around 60 pounds. A lance was effective when charging on horseback. It took a lot of practice and skill to ride a horse and fight with such heavy armor on. #knight #armor #armour #knights #statue #ornament #metal #shield #spear #knightsarmament #knightstemplar #helmet #protect #history #old #historic #sculpture #art #middleages #medieval #platearmor #afewinterestingfacts https://www.instagram.com/p/CE-WoC1BsU-/?igshid=lnuttuj3y7hq

The California Plaza project consists of two unique skyscrapers, One California Plaza and Two California Plaza. The Plaza is also home to the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA), Colburn School of Performing Arts, the Los Angeles Omni Hotel and a water court. California Plaza was a ten-year $1.2 billion project. #californiaplaza #skyscrapers #towers #dtla #downtown #lowntownla #downtownlosangeles #la #city #cityscape #architecture #afewinterestingfacts #sky (at Downtown LA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE8coX_BkDi/?igshid=ku2jamh2zrij

Lionesses are smaller than males and are the primary hunters of the pride. They usually hunt in groups of 3 to 8, making it easier for them to catch their prey. Lionesses are nocturnal and can hunt at night. Lifespan is 10 to 16 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity/zoos. Just a century ago, there were over 200,000 lions living in Africa. Today, there are only 15,000–32,000 left, making them one of the world’s most endangered animals. #lioness #pride #lion #zoo #lazoo #losangeleszoo #lion #animal #wildlife #wild #cat #bigcat #outdoor #afewinterestingfacts (at Los Angeles Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7cIXehtxr/?igshid=6pxy0ggy98n6