The big-eared woodrat (Neotoma macrotis) is a nocturnal rodent endemic to North America. It can be found all the way...

Have you noticed common pineapple-weed (Matricaria discoidea) alongside the trails of Mission Trails Regional Park? Look closely and you will...

By NORA BODRIAN The desert wild grape (Vitis girdiana) is endemic to Southern California and Baja California. Other common names...

By Nora Bodrian, Trail Guide  How often have you seen the silhouette of a bird perched high in a tree,...

By NORA BODRIAN Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so one might only see them on a twilight walk at Mission Trails....

By NORA BODRIAN Spiny Redberry (Rhamnus crocea) is a species of buckthorn (Rhamnaceae) common in the chaparral of Mission Trails...

By NORA BODRIAN Why are some animals nocturnal? It is an evolutionary phenomenon where prey animals come out at night...

By NORA BODRIAN Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is a flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to Europe, Northern Africa,...

By NORA BODRIAN Walking through Oak Canyon in January, I saw shrubs with pointed branches which I initially mistook for...

By NORA BODRIAN The perennial toyons are in full display this year: bright red berries decorated our trails for the...