A quick peak at nature...

This week’s assignment asked us to get outside, sit, and really observe all of natures living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors, as well as identify some of the interactions between organisms that are going on all around us if we just look close enough. We were asked to sit down anywhere, park, backyard, field, etc... and imagine a sphere around us for at least 20 minutes. 

First Attempt:
Location: Backyard

My first attempt at this assignment did not go so well, But it was a funny experience so I thought I would share anyways. One of my favorite times of day is early morning, just as the sun is starting to break the horizon. So I thought that would be the perfect time to sit in my backyard and make my observations for this week's assignment. I sat down the middle of my backyard, which is not very big, and within 30 seconds, two small house sparrows came darting across the yard, landing in my dog's food bowl. Both birds took a piece of dog food and flew off, getting my dog's attention. A few seconds later, they flew back and stole another piece. My dog's jealousy got the better of him, so he gobbled up the food, leaving nothing for the birds. This competition between different species, bird and dog, for the same resource is a perfect example of interspecific competition. Although I was able to experience some interactions in the two minutes I was sitting there, it was clear that I needed to get away from my house to properly do this assignment.

Second Attempt:
Location: One of the few undeveloped patches of land left in Menifee.

A few days after my disastrous first attempt, I hiked a mile into a small, undeveloped patch of land along the eastern edge of Menifee's city limits. This spot is surrounded by sage brush with the occasional juniper tree. It was peaceful, and I was able to relax and take everything it. Here is a list of some of the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) things I observed during my 35 minute "nature meditation":

Abiotic (non-living)

-Sunshine

-Wind/Air

-Dirt

-Small rocks

-Granite boulders

-Plastic trash

-Old car tire

-Water

-Scrap metal

-Chunks of concrete

Burrowing Owl

Biotic (living)

- Sage brush 

- 1 Juniper tree

- Trail of large black ants

- 2 Burrowing owls

- 7 Eurasian collared doves

- 3 American Crows

- 2 ducks

- Moss

- Algae

- Mosquitoes

- Moth
- Cottontail rabbit

- Rabbit carcass

- Grass

Moth on tree trunk

As I sat, one of the first things that I noticed was the army of ants about 10 feet in front of me. These ants were the biggest ants that I have ever seen in my life! Some of the individuals were carrying small pieces of leaves two or three times its size. I couldn't pinpoint where the trail came front, but it was definitely headed into a HUGE anthill. After 5 or so minutes, things started to move. I noticed 2 burrowing owls seeking shelter on a bare, low hanging branch of the Juniper tree. This is a great example of commensalism. The tree provided the owls with protection, but the owls neither help nor harmed the tree. I thought it was pretty amazing to see these owls. Human development is destroying these owls natural habitats, so their numbers are decreasing and finding them is becoming more and more rare. On the same juniper tree as the owls was a moth blended in so perfectly to the bark of the tree that it was hard to spot. This moth's colors mimic that of the tree to hide from potential predators.

In addition to these interactions, the coolest event that I was able experience was predation. About 200 yards away, a coyote started chasing a cottontail rabbit, but luckily for the rabbit, the coyote stopped after a short distance and took off out of site. Some other sightings included several crows scavenging at the remains of a rabbit and two male ducks fighting over the tiny pond that hasn't dried up yet.

It's amazing to see what is around you every single day. Yet, we rarely take the time to stop and notice the small things.