What Fine Feathers You Have.

A Regal Bird.

It’s always a treat when our neighbors who call the Los Angeles River home, stop by and say hi to Los Angeles State Historic Park. Who knows once the rains come and restore our seasonal wetland, maybe we will be seeing more of this Great Egret. In the mean time, enjoy these photographs.

Our spring flowers are certainly beatutiful, but they have serious competition from the November sunsets. Come check it out!

The CA State Parks archaeologists have returned to L.A. State Historic Park to continue exploring the site they exposed last june in hopes of getting a better understanding of the rich history of LASHP. Michael Sampson and his team have enlisted the help of a back hoe to uncover a foundation of bricks that may run as far as 70 ft north of where the first picture in this post was taken. The current spot where they are working is the old foundation of one of the car shops that were built when the Southern Pacific first arrived here in 1876.

Michael Sampson uncovering a possible light post foundation.

When I spoke with Mike today, he told me that the grey square he is dusting off in the photograph above was possibly a foundation for a large light pole that may have been installed sometime in mid 20th century. He was not sure but hoped that as they uncovered more foundation, that he and his team may be able to gather more clues.

Brendon uncovers a corner of the foundation.

If you are interested in seeing a real live archeological dig in action, come down to Los Angeles State Historic Park and look for the back hoe. Remember, though, that these are professionals at work, who would be happy to talk about what they are doing, but please be respectful.

What a curious shrub...

This shrub likes areas around water courses, has a distinct earthy grass-like smell, and the name that is commonly used today was given to it by miners who tie certain animals to it for a quick bite to eat. The Tongva people called it Mahar and used this bush for numerous practical purposes. Some of these uses included using the stems to make arrows, using leaves and stems for eyewash, to relieve toothaches and as a hair wash to prevent baldness and as a rinse to restore thinning hair. A poultice was applied to bruises, wounds, and insect bites. What shrub could be so versitle?

Our guest today is…..Mulefat! Yes indeed, who knew this shrub had such a history. If you want to see and smell this plant first hand come on down to Los Angeles State Historic Park. Tune in next time for another round of NAME….THAT….SHRUB!

Our friend, Mulefat