Bird's Eye View + Site Description

Our site was located about a third of a mile into the core of Eaton Canyon. Our site was about 23 by 20 paces, and was located right beside the designated trail. This region offered no shade, and the weather was a mild temperature with slight winds. Covering the ground, there were decayed leaves of surrounding plants and trees, and rocks embedded into the soil. There was a large oak tree laying in the southern, right corner of the site, and it was approximately 30 feet tall. In the perimeters of the site, there was brush and shrubs, specifically castor bean surrounding the area. A sage bush is located in the western region of the site, a Mexican elderberry in the center, and a pine goldenbush in the northern right corner. The sky was wide open, allowing us to view several bird species to fly overhead. We also witness a brown-spiny lizard scamper across the site.

Animal Species

Some of the plant species we saw on our trip to Eaton Canyon were...

Yellow Rumped Warbler: This bird with a black body and yellow belly was seen flying overhead our Observation Site.

Western Bluebird: This small, blue-bodied bird with an orange belly was seen circling across the sky.

Great Basin Fence Lizard: This grayish-brown lizard with a spiny back was seen crawling across a nearby rock during our 30 minute Observation Period.

*Red Sparrow: This red sparrow, (who's specific species cannot be determined) was seen taking flight.

*Black Bird: This small black bird, (who's specific species cannot be determined) was also seen taking flight.

*These birds were not seen closely enough, so we could not take enough details down and research them*

Plant Species

Some of the plant species we saw on our trip to Eaton Canyon were...

Cliff Aster: This plant has white flowers and jagged leaves, and was abundant across Eaton Canyon, especially around the perimeters of our Observation Site.

Nevin's Brickellbush: This shrub grew in bunches, and there were countless amounts when we first entered the Canyon.

Castor Bean: This reddish-brown shrub grew in large amounts near a big oak tree in our Observation Site.

California Sagebrush: This tall shrub has long, green, pine-shaped leaves with a strong smell, and grew in a large, gathered bunches in our Observation site.

Mexican Elderberry: This plant grew in the center of our Observation side, and stood out with its blue berries and long branches.

Pine Goldenbush: This yellow plant has pine-like leaves that are extremely tall, and grew near the base of the large Oak Tree in our Observation Site.

Poison Oak: This was the first plant we encountered when walking into Eaton Canyon, and we were warned to stay away from its green and red colored leaves.

Marisa's Observation Log

• OBSERVATION LOG 11:30-12:00 

  Weather: warm with slight winds Temperature: 75 degrees Fahrenheit

  
  11:32: Brown, spiny lizard spotted on rock
  
  

  11:36: A black bird flies overhead
  
  

  11:47: Insect with large wings makes a buzzing noise
  
  

  11:49: Winds are dying down
  
  

  11:52: Swarms of various insects are flying around
  
  

  11:54: Becomes noticeably warmer, but breezes become greater
  
  

  11:56: Bird with black tail and yellow belly flies overhead
  
  

  11:58: Bees flying around
  
  

  12:00: Two birds spotted; a red sparrow and blue jay 

Isabella's Observation Log

• OBSERVATION LOG 11:30 -12:00
   Weather: warm and breezy Temperature: 75 degrees Fahrenheit

  
  11:32: Lizard crawls across a nearby rock
  
  

  11:38: Sparrow flies across the sky
  
  

  11:42: Dragon fly makes loud noises across the site
  
  

  11:45: Breeze has completely stopped
  
  11:49: Swarm of gnats and flies surround the area
  
  11:52: Temperature has increased slightly, breeze has picked up
  
  11:56: A bird with a black tail and yellow belly flies overhead
  
  11:58: A few bees are seen flying across the area
  
  12:00: Several birds heard chirping; blue jay and a red sparrow seen flying in sky

Flowers

This shows the plants that surrounded the area we were observing. The plants covered a vast area, and had long, brown stems that appeared extremely dry. Located next to these plants were leafy plants with small, white-yellow colored flowers.

Our Observation Site

This is the main site where we did our observations. It was surrounded by a variety of trees, a majority of them being oak trees. The floor was covered in rocks, decaying leaves, many plants, and other types of foliage. Lizards, sparrows, blue jays, flies and gnats came through this area.

Oak Tree

This is an oak tree that was located near the center of Eaton Canyon. It was approximately 40 feet tall, and was surrounded by various plant life, fallen leaves and rock. It offered shade to much of the plant life in its proximity.

A Home for the Animals

This is a small burrow we came across in Eaton Canyon. Although we can not determine exactly what animal dwells in this hole, we know that it is a home to one of the small animals that inhabits the area. There were no rocks or excess dirt gathered in the opening, so we can gather that the burrow had been recently used.

Poison Ivy

This is the poison ivy plant that we first encountered when entering Eaton Canyon. Since Eaton Canyon has an abundance of this dangerous plant, we were warned to take note and look out for this green and red leafy plant.