Tag: Torrance

Seasonal Wetlands: Summer vs Spring

Seasonal Wetlands: Summer vs Spring by Kelson Vibber

It finally occurred to me to put together a side-by-side image of the one spot I managed to take photos of on both hikes!

On the right: May in Madrona Marsh, after winter and spring rains filled up the low-lying areas of the preserve.

On the left: Late August in the same spot, after summer had dried up the pools. Despite the drought, and helped along by a couple of freak summer storms, the ground is still holding onto enough moisture that the floor of the vernal pool is covered with low greenery instead of dry grass.

I know, it’s always better to put “before” on the left, and I tried it with that layout, but it ended up looking better this way.

The last of the seasonal wetlands at Madrona Marsh…

Photo taken at: Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center

The last of the seasonal wetlands at Madrona Marsh, a nature preserve surrounded by suburban Torrance, California. These pools spread over the grounds each winter and spring with storm water, and dry out each summer.

And it really is surrounded by the city. Housing tracts on two sides, retail on the third, and a Target on the fourth, just a few dozen yards to the right of this spot.

#marsh #trees #nature #madrona #madronamarsh #torrance #whpmyoasis #water #california #southbay

Note: check description on Flickr

Liftoff!

Liftoff!

I slowly crept up toward the seagull hoping to get a photo of it perched on that pole, but it calmly turned around and flew off. I thought I’d missed it when I snapped the photo, but it turns out that I’d caught it just unfurling its wings.

And yes, the water really is that green. Ew.

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Seasonal wetlands at Madrona Marsh…

Seasonal wetlands at Madrona Marsh. Winter and spring rains fill up these shallow pools, which become home to birds, frogs, insects and more during spring and summer. By the end of summer, the pools dry up until the next year. #madronamarsh #trees #water #california #torrance #southbay #marsh #nature

Photo taken at: Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center

Seasonal wetlands at Madrona Marsh. Winter and spring rains fill up these shallow pools, which become home to birds, frogs, insects and more during spring and summer. By the end of summer, the pools dry up until the next year.