Gina
@birdbander.bsky.social
🐾 Explorer of nature’s wonders
🪴 Potter & Owner of Glazing Trails - https://www.glazingtrails.com
🪴 Potter & Owner of Glazing Trails - https://www.glazingtrails.com
Hey local peeps! 🎉 Come join us for a pottery sale filled with handmade goodies from students (yes, I’m selling too!) and our awesome teacher. Shop small, support local, and snag some one-of-a-kind holiday gifts!
📍 2384 Rupert Drive, San Jose
#ShopLocal #PotterySale #Handmade #HolidayGifts #SanJose
📍 2384 Rupert Drive, San Jose
#ShopLocal #PotterySale #Handmade #HolidayGifts #SanJose
October 19, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Hey local peeps! 🎉 Come join us for a pottery sale filled with handmade goodies from students (yes, I’m selling too!) and our awesome teacher. Shop small, support local, and snag some one-of-a-kind holiday gifts!
📍 2384 Rupert Drive, San Jose
#ShopLocal #PotterySale #Handmade #HolidayGifts #SanJose
📍 2384 Rupert Drive, San Jose
#ShopLocal #PotterySale #Handmade #HolidayGifts #SanJose
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) produces berries that persist into winter, providing an important food source for birds and mammals.
#WinterBerries #Berries #Nature #Wildlife #Madrones #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants
#WinterBerries #Berries #Nature #Wildlife #Madrones #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants
September 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) produces berries that persist into winter, providing an important food source for birds and mammals.
#WinterBerries #Berries #Nature #Wildlife #Madrones #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants
#WinterBerries #Berries #Nature #Wildlife #Madrones #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants
Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp.) flower and fruit when water is plentiful. To gauge upcoming conditions, they form flowering shoots at the tips of spring growth that stay dormant until the next season—like a tiny “big toe” testing for moisture.
#Manzanita #DroughtAdaptation #Nature #Wildlife
#Manzanita #DroughtAdaptation #Nature #Wildlife
September 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp.) flower and fruit when water is plentiful. To gauge upcoming conditions, they form flowering shoots at the tips of spring growth that stay dormant until the next season—like a tiny “big toe” testing for moisture.
#Manzanita #DroughtAdaptation #Nature #Wildlife
#Manzanita #DroughtAdaptation #Nature #Wildlife
Owls fly almost silently thanks to unique feathers. Serrated leading edges and soft trailing fringes break up airflow, while velvety plumage with tiny hairlike extensions further muffles the sound of each wingbeat.
#Owls #SilentFlight #WildlifeFacts #DiscoverBirds #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaOwls
#Owls #SilentFlight #WildlifeFacts #DiscoverBirds #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaOwls
September 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Owls fly almost silently thanks to unique feathers. Serrated leading edges and soft trailing fringes break up airflow, while velvety plumage with tiny hairlike extensions further muffles the sound of each wingbeat.
#Owls #SilentFlight #WildlifeFacts #DiscoverBirds #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaOwls
#Owls #SilentFlight #WildlifeFacts #DiscoverBirds #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaOwls
Fifth-instar Monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus) stop feeding and often wander away from milkweed in search of a safe pupation site—sometimes traveling up to 10 meters before forming their chrysalis.
#Monarch #Pollinators #ButterflyLifeCycle #Milkweed #WildCalifornia #Nature #Wildlife
#Monarch #Pollinators #ButterflyLifeCycle #Milkweed #WildCalifornia #Nature #Wildlife
September 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Fifth-instar Monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus) stop feeding and often wander away from milkweed in search of a safe pupation site—sometimes traveling up to 10 meters before forming their chrysalis.
#Monarch #Pollinators #ButterflyLifeCycle #Milkweed #WildCalifornia #Nature #Wildlife
#Monarch #Pollinators #ButterflyLifeCycle #Milkweed #WildCalifornia #Nature #Wildlife
The Eccentric Sand Dollar (Dendraster excentricus) is a cousin of sea urchins and sea cucumbers. It uses tiny spines to scoot along or burrow into the sand. This shows its exoskeleton — you might find washed up on the beach.
#SandDollar #Echinoids #OceanLife #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaCoast
#SandDollar #Echinoids #OceanLife #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaCoast
September 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The Eccentric Sand Dollar (Dendraster excentricus) is a cousin of sea urchins and sea cucumbers. It uses tiny spines to scoot along or burrow into the sand. This shows its exoskeleton — you might find washed up on the beach.
#SandDollar #Echinoids #OceanLife #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaCoast
#SandDollar #Echinoids #OceanLife #Nature #Wildlife #CaliforniaCoast
Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) may be tiny—usually less than 15 mm—but they’re mighty hunters. Instead of spinning webs, they stalk prey in daylight, sneaking close before springing into a spectacular leap.
#JumpingSpiders #Spiders #CaliforniaSpiders #Nature #Wildlife
#JumpingSpiders #Spiders #CaliforniaSpiders #Nature #Wildlife
September 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) may be tiny—usually less than 15 mm—but they’re mighty hunters. Instead of spinning webs, they stalk prey in daylight, sneaking close before springing into a spectacular leap.
#JumpingSpiders #Spiders #CaliforniaSpiders #Nature #Wildlife
#JumpingSpiders #Spiders #CaliforniaSpiders #Nature #Wildlife
Pacific Glasswort (Salicornia pacifica) thrives where few plants can—using saltwater as its main source of water. It tucks excess salt into tiny vacuoles at the tips of its stems. When those fill up, the segments turn red and fall off, taking the salt with them.
#SaltMarsh #Nature #Wildlife
#SaltMarsh #Nature #Wildlife
September 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Pacific Glasswort (Salicornia pacifica) thrives where few plants can—using saltwater as its main source of water. It tucks excess salt into tiny vacuoles at the tips of its stems. When those fill up, the segments turn red and fall off, taking the salt with them.
#SaltMarsh #Nature #Wildlife
#SaltMarsh #Nature #Wildlife
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) thrives in wetlands and riparian zones with rich, moist soils. It’s remarkably flood-tolerant—able to withstand water above its root crown for up to seven years.
#RiparianHabitat #FloodTolerant #CaliforniaPlants #Nature #Wildflowers
#RiparianHabitat #FloodTolerant #CaliforniaPlants #Nature #Wildflowers
September 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) thrives in wetlands and riparian zones with rich, moist soils. It’s remarkably flood-tolerant—able to withstand water above its root crown for up to seven years.
#RiparianHabitat #FloodTolerant #CaliforniaPlants #Nature #Wildflowers
#RiparianHabitat #FloodTolerant #CaliforniaPlants #Nature #Wildflowers
Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani) have some clever tricks for staying safe. They can sit motionless for ages, but when danger strikes, they dart away in a zigzag at 20–25 mph.
#Rabbits #CaliforniaWildlife #Wildlife #Nautre #FastAnimals
#Rabbits #CaliforniaWildlife #Wildlife #Nautre #FastAnimals
September 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Brush Rabbits (Sylvilagus bachmani) have some clever tricks for staying safe. They can sit motionless for ages, but when danger strikes, they dart away in a zigzag at 20–25 mph.
#Rabbits #CaliforniaWildlife #Wildlife #Nautre #FastAnimals
#Rabbits #CaliforniaWildlife #Wildlife #Nautre #FastAnimals
Blochman’s Leafy Daisy (Erigeron blochmaniae) is a California endemic found only along the San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara coasts. It grows in sand dunes and coastal hillsides—habitats that are shrinking due to development.
#CaliforniaEndemic #NativePlants #Wildflowers #Wildlife #Nature
#CaliforniaEndemic #NativePlants #Wildflowers #Wildlife #Nature
September 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Blochman’s Leafy Daisy (Erigeron blochmaniae) is a California endemic found only along the San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara coasts. It grows in sand dunes and coastal hillsides—habitats that are shrinking due to development.
#CaliforniaEndemic #NativePlants #Wildflowers #Wildlife #Nature
#CaliforniaEndemic #NativePlants #Wildflowers #Wildlife #Nature
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) is highly salt-tolerant, excreting excess salts onto its leaves and stems. It often forms dense stands, sometimes spreading clonally.
#Saltgrass #NativePlants #SaltTolerant #Wildlife #Nautre #CaliforniaPlants
#Saltgrass #NativePlants #SaltTolerant #Wildlife #Nautre #CaliforniaPlants
September 16, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) is highly salt-tolerant, excreting excess salts onto its leaves and stems. It often forms dense stands, sometimes spreading clonally.
#Saltgrass #NativePlants #SaltTolerant #Wildlife #Nautre #CaliforniaPlants
#Saltgrass #NativePlants #SaltTolerant #Wildlife #Nautre #CaliforniaPlants
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) is California’s most drought-tolerant deciduous oak. Its deep roots, small canopy, and tough blue-green leaves help it endure dry conditions.
#Oaks #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverOaks #NativePlants #DroughtTolerantPlants
#Oaks #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverOaks #NativePlants #DroughtTolerantPlants
September 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) is California’s most drought-tolerant deciduous oak. Its deep roots, small canopy, and tough blue-green leaves help it endure dry conditions.
#Oaks #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverOaks #NativePlants #DroughtTolerantPlants
#Oaks #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverOaks #NativePlants #DroughtTolerantPlants
Turkey Mullein (Croton setiger) is toxic to some animals, but its seeds are eaten by birds. Several of its common names reflect the affinity of doves and wild turkeys for its seeds.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #BirdSeed
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #BirdSeed
September 9, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Turkey Mullein (Croton setiger) is toxic to some animals, but its seeds are eaten by birds. Several of its common names reflect the affinity of doves and wild turkeys for its seeds.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #BirdSeed
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #BirdSeed
Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) is named for its tannin-rich bark, once the foundation of a major tanning industry on the Pacific Coast. Its high tannin concentration was prized for producing durable leather goods, until overharvesting limited its availability.
#Nature #Wildlife #California
#Nature #Wildlife #California
September 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) is named for its tannin-rich bark, once the foundation of a major tanning industry on the Pacific Coast. Its high tannin concentration was prized for producing durable leather goods, until overharvesting limited its availability.
#Nature #Wildlife #California
#Nature #Wildlife #California
Honeydew Gall Wasps (Disholcaspis eldoradensis) form stem galls on several oak species. While the larvae feed, the galls exude a sweet sap that attracts ants and yellow jackets—providing an important late-summer honeydew source when other foods are scarce.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #OakGalls
#Nature #Wildlife #California #OakGalls
September 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Honeydew Gall Wasps (Disholcaspis eldoradensis) form stem galls on several oak species. While the larvae feed, the galls exude a sweet sap that attracts ants and yellow jackets—providing an important late-summer honeydew source when other foods are scarce.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #OakGalls
#Nature #Wildlife #California #OakGalls
Bowl-and-doily Spiders (Frontinella pyramitela) weave a two-layered web: a bowl-shaped dome suspended above a flat sheet. The spider hides beneath the bowl, safely sheltered, and bites prey that falls into the web from below.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #NativeSpiders
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #NativeSpiders
September 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Bowl-and-doily Spiders (Frontinella pyramitela) weave a two-layered web: a bowl-shaped dome suspended above a flat sheet. The spider hides beneath the bowl, safely sheltered, and bites prey that falls into the web from below.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #NativeSpiders
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #NativeSpiders
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) hosts more than 50 species of gall wasps, the largest number known on any oak.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #GallWasps
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #GallWasps
September 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) hosts more than 50 species of gall wasps, the largest number known on any oak.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #GallWasps
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #GallWasps
Coastal Woodfern (Dryopteris arguta) produces sori—clusters of spore sacs called sporangia—that split open to catapult tiny spores into the wind for dispersal.
#Ferns #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverFerns #NativePlants #WildPlants
#Ferns #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverFerns #NativePlants #WildPlants
September 3, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Coastal Woodfern (Dryopteris arguta) produces sori—clusters of spore sacs called sporangia—that split open to catapult tiny spores into the wind for dispersal.
#Ferns #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverFerns #NativePlants #WildPlants
#Ferns #Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverFerns #NativePlants #WildPlants
Turkey Mullein (Croton setiger) has toxic foliage, and it was traditionally used by California Native Peoples as a fish poison to stun and catch fish.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #Ethnobotany
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #Ethnobotany
September 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Turkey Mullein (Croton setiger) has toxic foliage, and it was traditionally used by California Native Peoples as a fish poison to stun and catch fish.
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #Ethnobotany
#Nature #Wildlife #California #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverPlants #NativePlants #WildPlants #Ethnobotany
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) sheds its bark in colorful layers—green to buff, orange, and deep red—with tannins and continual peeling working together to deter insects and other harmful organisms.
#tanins #madrones #trees #bark #nature #wildlife #california #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverTrees
#tanins #madrones #trees #bark #nature #wildlife #california #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverTrees
August 30, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) sheds its bark in colorful layers—green to buff, orange, and deep red—with tannins and continual peeling working together to deter insects and other harmful organisms.
#tanins #madrones #trees #bark #nature #wildlife #california #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverTrees
#tanins #madrones #trees #bark #nature #wildlife #california #LearnAboutNature #DiscoverTrees
Jumping Gall Wasps (Neuroterus saltatorius) produce tiny galls that “jump” on the ground as larvae move inside. This behavior, observed in warm, dry weather, may help the galls burrow into leaf litter for protection.
#gallwasps #cynipids #oaks #nature #wildlife #california
#gallwasps #cynipids #oaks #nature #wildlife #california
August 29, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Jumping Gall Wasps (Neuroterus saltatorius) produce tiny galls that “jump” on the ground as larvae move inside. This behavior, observed in warm, dry weather, may help the galls burrow into leaf litter for protection.
#gallwasps #cynipids #oaks #nature #wildlife #california
#gallwasps #cynipids #oaks #nature #wildlife #california
Pacific Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) climbs trees and other plants using adventitious roots—special roots that grow from the stem to anchor it in place.
#adventitiousroots #vines #nature #wildlife #california
#adventitiousroots #vines #nature #wildlife #california
August 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Pacific Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) climbs trees and other plants using adventitious roots—special roots that grow from the stem to anchor it in place.
#adventitiousroots #vines #nature #wildlife #california
#adventitiousroots #vines #nature #wildlife #california
Had so much fun coloring these little tapas plates—each one turned out with its own personality!
August 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Had so much fun coloring these little tapas plates—each one turned out with its own personality!
Dusky-footed Woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) build large, conical nests up to 8 feet tall in trees, on the ground, or on bluffs. Made of sticks, bark, and plant material, the nests can house multiple generations and include rooms for specific purposes.
#woodrats #nests #nature #wildlife #california
#woodrats #nests #nature #wildlife #california
August 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Dusky-footed Woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) build large, conical nests up to 8 feet tall in trees, on the ground, or on bluffs. Made of sticks, bark, and plant material, the nests can house multiple generations and include rooms for specific purposes.
#woodrats #nests #nature #wildlife #california
#woodrats #nests #nature #wildlife #california