Spring is in full swing along Laguna Creek (even though it is officially still winter). The western redbuds are in bloom and the interior live oaks are also in bloom and sprouting new leaves. The fields of mustard are magnificent and other wild flowers are starting to show up.
During an hour long walk along the section of Laguna Creek between the Jacinto pedestrian bridge and Franklin Blvd. the following birds were seen: killdeer, great egrets, snowy egrets, Canada geese, coots, mallards, 3 red shouldered hawks, an acorn woodpecker, and of course, lots of western scrub jays and mockingbirds. At the Bufferlands (viewed from the bridge over Franklin Blvd.) a flock of 17 wild turkeys was seen. They eventually took flight one after another to cross the creek. Cliff swallows were also seen at the bridge.
Spring is a great time to visit the creek – to exercise, to observe and study nature, and to take a mental break from busy and sometimes stressful lives.