Road to Satwiwa Culture Center with Fog and Birds

Steve Hallmark

A favorite vantage point of Boney Mountain, framed perfectly by the eucalyptus trees as one approaches the Satwiwa basin. In late afternoon, the marine layer rolls in bringing with it low clouds and fog into the valley creating a very tranquil mood.

This photo was taken with a Nikon Z7II with a Nikon 28-300mm zoom lens at 36mm. Exposure settings are f/4 at 1/2000 sec. ISO 800.

Painted Lady on Purple Flower

Steve Hallmark

This Painted Lady butterfly was photographed on the Sandstone Peak trail while nourishing itself on a Purple Dick wildflower. The orange background comes from a field of California poppies behind it.

This photo was taken with a Nikon Z7 with a Nikon 28-300mm zoom lens at 300mm. Exposure settings are f/8 at 1/1000 sec. ISO 400.

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Jeffrey Davidson

The Juvenile Little Blue Heron looks very much like a Snowy Egret except that Juvenile Little Blur Heron has grey legs and bill. It appeared to be looking for fish. I observed for approximately 45 minutes taking multiple exposures. It never took flight during that time frame.

I like the diagonal line of the bird looking into the water appearing ready to dive in or strike.

Photo taken at the Malibu Lagoon with Nikon D5 Camera and Nikon 200-500MM 5.6 zoom with TC-III 1.4 Teleconverter. Photographed at 700mm; effective aperture with converter f10, ISO 640.

By Steve Hallmark

This past July, I had the privilege to observe this Coopers hawk from its nest to its first fully fledged flights, photographing his journey along the way.

In this image, the subject is higher in the sky than it seems. In order to get a sense of the place, I blended two images to include the mountains in the background, changing the perspective to make it appear that it was flying directly in front of the observer.

This photo was taken with a Nikon Z7II with a Nikon 200-500mm zoom lens, at 500mm. Exposure settings are f/8 at 1/1500 sec. ISO 450. text goes here

By Kerry Perkins

One of our most common wetland and shore birds is the Black-Crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).

A unique aspect of the life history of this bird is that the juvenile (as shown) looks completely different from the adult, which is a slate grey and buff color.

These birds will eat just about anything and will accept other species into their nest to brood. This juvenile was spotted preening on a low branch over the pond at King Gillette Ranch.

Canon R5 RF100-500 mm + 1.4x at 700mm ISO 800 f/10 at 1/1600 sec, handheld

By Paul Abravaya

While walking the Nature Trail that winds through the riparian forest above the creek at the Thousand Oaks Botanic Garden, I saw the Hawk. From a distance I thought it was an Owl sitting on a branch of an oak tree, it was early in the morning and the trees provided shade that made visibility difficult. I approached slowly and recognized that it was indeed a Red-shouldered Hawk, and not an owl as I had first thought.

I was able to get directly across from the hawk and raised my camera. As I did so, the hawk looked directly into my eyes, and I took the picture of this beautiful bird.

Equipment: Camera Canon R5, Lens Canon 100-500 lens Taken at 500mm, 1/250 sec, F7.1, iso 12,800 July 24, 2022, 7:18am

Coyote On Trail

Steve Hallmark

Walking back to the parking lot from the Satwiwa Culture Center at sunset, I surprised this young coyote. It seemed a bit confused about which way to go - I think we were both caught a bit off guard. Taken In October 2023.

 Captured with a Nikon Z7II and Nikon 24-70mm. Focal length - 36mm.

Exposure - f/2.8 at 1/45th second, ISO 800.

Buck in Dry Grass

Steve Hallmark

Just across from the Satwiwa Culture Center, I came upon a small group of deer. To my surprise, this mule deer buck approached me. Taken in August 2023.

Captured with a Nikon Z8 and Nikon 100-400mm, Focal length - 280mm, Exposure - f/8 at 1/125th second, ISO 3200.

Rusted Memories

Steven Friedman

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa January 10, 2023 -- The ranching history in the Santa Monica Mountains is often overlooked and forgotten. We often think of the beaches, creeks, and wild lands of the steeper terrain, or about the Chumash, the original and long-time inhabitants of the area. But ranching played an active role in shaping the land as established in 1803.

The rancho has been sold and subdivided many times over the years. The last private owner of Ranch Sierra Vista was Richard Danielson who ranched the land for more than 30 years. The Danielson's used tilling equipment to maintain the grasslands and keep the chapparal at bay.

The abandoned tilling equipment featured in this photograph was used by the Danielsons. Abandoned on a hillside, left to rust in place, it becomes a lasting memory of the ranching in the Santa Monica Mountains. Rancho Sierra Vista was purchased by the National Park Service in 1980.

Purple Rain

Jesse Sloan

A moody image of an Oak Tree overlooking the rolling hillside at Malibu Creek on a spring day. With the winter and spring rains being as plentiful as they were, the blooms of 2023 were a wonderful sight for those who ventured outdoors to take in the plentiful flora that graced us this past spring.

By Cassandra Sue Chavez

On August 30th, 2023, during a Moonwalk in the Mountains program at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa, I snapped a picture of the moon with my iPhone. Thinking it would be yet another blurry moon picture, but to my surprise- what appeared to be a dome of rays beaming out of the full moon appeared in my photograph. Still, I cannot believe that this occurred and I was able to capture such a beautiful moment under the stars up at the Santa Monica Mountains.

Camera: iPhone14

By Jesse Sloan

An image of Black Star Eyed Eagle performing the Sneak Up dance this past summer at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center. A gift was shared on this day. An education of the culture, traditions, and beliefs, all communicated through a vibrant celebration of music and dance to honor our natural world and the many gifts it provides us.

By Steve Hallmark

This photo is of the dominant male quail of a covey standing guard while the rest are feeding.

Captured with a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor 100-400mm with a 2x extender. Focal length - 800mm. Exposure - f/11 at 1/6000th second, ISO 6400.

By Justin Ford

This Yellow Warbler was spotted in Malibu Creek State Park in the Spring. I was so happy when I saw it perched, as I usually only see a yellow flash buzzing around the tree, and this was really a treat. I love how plump it looks but ready to take off with its wings hanging back!

Captured with a Canon R5 & RF100-500 lens/1.4X teleconverter at 700mm, aperture f/10 at 1/1000 sec, ISO2500.

By Jeffrey Davidson

I have a favorite spot by the water with a mostly unobstructed view and a few trees and low branches nearby. I saw a heron fly up and perch on a nearby branch. Having observed their behavior before, I anticipated when it would take off and was ready when that happened.

Captured with a Nikon D5, Nikon 200-500mm Zoom with TCIII 1.4 Teleconverter, Gitzo Tripod with Wimberly Gimbal Head.

By Steve Friedman

Humming Bird feeding in late afternoon. I often take walks looking for birds to photograph. This humming bird was seen among the bushes at Paramount Movie Ranch. March 16, 2023. OM Digital Solutions OM-1.

By Lisa McKean

High tides and late summer rainstorms created this dramatic landscape at Zuma Beach. The tide flowed so high onto the beach, a temporary reflecting pool appeared in the sand, mirroring the crimson clouds above.

Processed on metal by Bay Photo company.

By Steven Friedman

I spend a lot of time at Ranch Sierra Vista/Satwiwa as a volunteer, and I always have my camera with me just in case there is something interesting to photograph.

I also frequent the site to document the environment during different seasons. A storm had just passed, and I hoped to photograph a great sunset over Boney Mountain. While the clouds never turned bright colors, I was rewarded with some light on the peaks and midground to provide a sense of depth, and the winter grasses were lush and green.

The feature of interest in the foreground of the photograph is an “Ap,” a structure used by the Chumash for storing goods and maybe sleeping. There have been several aps at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. Being constructed of branches and grasses aps fall apart over time. They last a few seasons at best.

Photographed in the late afternoon after a clearing storm. January 10, 2023. Rancho Sierra Vista. Olympus E-M1.

House Finch on Century Plant

Albert Gasser

I like to go to the Malibu Lagoon often throughout the year. It is always an adventure, and I always discover new things like this House Finch on a Century plant in bloom.

Location: Mailbu Creek State Park

Camera: Fujifilm X-T3

Lens: XF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6 , Teleconverter XF 1.4

Settings: ISO 640    560mm    f/8.0     1/500sec  

El Matador: A Sunset For the Birds

Rich Greene

Any time of year is good one to photograph here, but winter is my favorite. One will usually find more interesting skies and great chances for epic sunsets.

Nikon D7000, Tokina 11-16mm lens.

Focal length 11mm, f/16 @ 1 second, ISO 200.

Sunset Surfer at Leo Carrillo

Austin Simpson

Sunset Surfer at Leo Carrillo

A surfer I captured at Leo Carrillo during the last moments of sunset. I slowed down my shutter speed and panned as I took the shot.

Juvenile House Wrens

TJ Hastings

I heard some juvenile house wrens on Santa Ynez Canyon Trail in Topanga State Park and was able to find their next in a dead tree. There were a total of 6 nestlings (only 4 pictured) and both parents kept returning to the tree feeding them. I was able to capture on of the adult birds by the nest while its young were begging for more food. Camera: Sony a6400 Lens: Tamron 150-500mm

TJ is a student at Occidental College

Mantilija Poppies

Suzanne Clark

The native Matilija poppy is always a show stopper. And against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset over Malibu Creek State Park, they definitely strut their stuff!