Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
Natural Bridges State Park 061015

Info about the Red-shouldered Hawk and its related species

We snapped a series of shots of a pair of red-shouldered hawks during which time one of them swooped down from a pine tree and snatched up a 24 inch long gopher snake. This is a photo from that series of the two playing a serious game of tag.

This area of Natural Bridges State Park is a slowly dying grove of pines and other evergreens that are a favored area for hawks, not far from the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG).

 

Voodoo Lily (Amorphophallus)
Sorrento Oaks Mobile Home Park 050507

Info about the Voodoo Lily and varieties of amorphophallus

We have a few of these on our patio that are blooming right now. They are emitting the pungent scent of rotting flesh. Gnats and flies seem to be the only insects that are attracted to it. The flower on this big fella is about 15" tall.

Good way to keep neighbors at bay.