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For tour enquiries, custom tour requests, corporate events, or general questions, please use the form below or email Cypress@northstarnaturalist . com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks!

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The "fungiverse" is immense. They're everywhere! Are we just cogs in their machine? Are they manipulating us like they manipulate plants, insects, and other fungi? It's very possible that mushrooms are the real ones running the show around here. 🍄 🌎

Let's talk about this and more this Saturday, March 22, at my next Fungi Foray! Don't worry, we'll talk about lighter topics too.😅 Tix are $18, $9 for kids. Sign-up link in bio!

Hope to see some of you out there! (If you can't make it, you can always sign up for a regular fungi hike on a different day.)

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #MushroomHunting #SoCalFungi #HikeSD #SanDiegoNature #MushroomSeason #Fungiverse

The "fungiverse" is immense. They're everywhere! Are we just cogs in their machine? Are they manipulating us like they manipulate plants, insects, and other fungi? It's very possible that mushrooms are the real ones running the show around here. 🍄 🌎

Let's talk about this and more this Saturday, March 22, at my next Fungi Foray! Don't worry, we'll talk about lighter topics too.😅 Tix are $18, $9 for kids. Sign-up link in bio!

Hope to see some of you out there! (If you can't make it, you can always sign up for a regular fungi hike on a different day.)

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #MushroomHunting #SoCalFungi #HikeSD #SanDiegoNature #MushroomSeason #Fungiverse

When most people think about wild mushrooms, they don't think of San Diego. They think of the Pacific Northwest, wet forests, or places like Santa Cruz. 🌲

But San Diego has thousands of species of fungi scattered across our entire county. And man oh man are they wild. And the craziest part? Because San Diego isn't "on the map" for fungi research, it's likely that more than half of the fungi growing here aren't even described species. 🍄

Join me on a mushroom foray March 22 to find and learn about our local fungi. Who knows, maybe we'll find a species new to science! 🤷‍♀️ Tickets are $18, $9 for kids. (Link in bio)

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #SanDiegoMushrooms #SoCalFungi #Mycology #MagicMushrooms #MushroomMedicine #HikeSanDiego #NatureGuide

When most people think about wild mushrooms, they don't think of San Diego. They think of the Pacific Northwest, wet forests, or places like Santa Cruz. 🌲

But San Diego has thousands of species of fungi scattered across our entire county. And man oh man are they wild. And the craziest part? Because San Diego isn't "on the map" for fungi research, it's likely that more than half of the fungi growing here aren't even described species. 🍄

Join me on a mushroom foray March 22 to find and learn about our local fungi. Who knows, maybe we'll find a species new to science! 🤷‍♀️ Tickets are $18, $9 for kids. (Link in bio)

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #SanDiegoMushrooms #SoCalFungi #Mycology #MagicMushrooms #MushroomMedicine #HikeSanDiego #NatureGuide

Can confirm: our desert is lookin' fiiiinneeee. ☀️

Can confirm: our desert is lookin' fiiiinneeee. ☀️

PSA: Full lunar eclipse tonight! 🌒🌕🌘

Around midnight PST, we will get our first full lunar eclipse in two years! It will be visible all across the United States!

Fun fact: if you turned the moon into a flat sticker, and put it on the Earth, it would be about as wide as the U.S. 🤔

Clouds... PLEASE go away?!?

PSA: Full lunar eclipse tonight! 🌒🌕🌘

Around midnight PST, we will get our first full lunar eclipse in two years! It will be visible all across the United States!

Fun fact: if you turned the moon into a flat sticker, and put it on the Earth, it would be about as wide as the U.S. 🤔

Clouds... PLEASE go away?!?

Let's unpack this.
Join me for a fungi foray on March 22 @ 9AM to find wild mushrooms and learn all about them! (including the ways they are more like animals than plants)
I can't wait to see what we'll find! 🍄

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #MushroomHunting #SanDiegoNature #HikeSanDiego #SanDiegoFungi #SoCalFungi #MushroomSeason

Let's unpack this.
Join me for a fungi foray on March 22 @ 9AM to find wild mushrooms and learn all about them! (including the ways they are more like animals than plants)
I can't wait to see what we'll find! 🍄

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #MushroomHunting #SanDiegoNature #HikeSanDiego #SanDiegoFungi #SoCalFungi #MushroomSeason

So it begins ... With boletes!

So it begins ... With boletes!

The rains are finally happening! Let's find some fungi together!! And learn all about them!!! See you out there!!!! (I'm really excited for fungi season y'all) 🍄

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #SanDiegoFungi #SoCalFungi #SoCalMushrooms #HikeSanDiego #SDNature

The rains are finally happening! Let's find some fungi together!! And learn all about them!!! See you out there!!!! (I'm really excited for fungi season y'all) 🍄

#NorthStarNaturalist #FungiForay #SanDiegoFungi #SoCalFungi #SoCalMushrooms #HikeSanDiego #SDNature

Is fungi season here yet? 🍄
Not quite. But the SD Fungus Fair is!!!

Follow @sdmyco for more info!

Is fungi season here yet? 🍄
Not quite. But the SD Fungus Fair is!!!

Follow @sdmyco for more info!

This weekend! 🔥 Explore the good, the bad, and the nuance of wildfire from inside an old burn scar.

We'll learn about fire adaptations, indigenous burn practices, fire-following flowers, wild animal responses, water and wind, and the many myths that swirl around fire in SoCal.

These walks are short and come with gorgeous views of San Diego's unique landscape!

Link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #CaliforniaWildfire #CaliforniaWildlife #SanDiegoNature #Chamise #FireFollowers #OtayMountain #Border2Fire #SanDiego #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #FireWise #FriarsFire #GilmanFire #CedarFire #Chaparral

This weekend! 🔥 Explore the good, the bad, and the nuance of wildfire from inside an old burn scar.

We'll learn about fire adaptations, indigenous burn practices, fire-following flowers, wild animal responses, water and wind, and the many myths that swirl around fire in SoCal.

These walks are short and come with gorgeous views of San Diego's unique landscape!

Link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #CaliforniaWildfire #CaliforniaWildlife #SanDiegoNature #Chamise #FireFollowers #OtayMountain #Border2Fire #SanDiego #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #FireWise #FriarsFire #GilmanFire #CedarFire #Chaparral

We've all got questions about California wildfires. Let's talk about some of the answers!
🔥
Deadliest form of wildfire: It's not what you might think!
Predicting the next incident: One native plant plays a big role.
Fire retardant ingredients: Some good, some bad—worth looking into.
🤔
If you want to learn more about wildfire in Southern California, join me this weekend for my Wildfire 101 Walks, running Saturday and Sunday. I've got lots of fascinating info and stories to share. We'll even be exploring wildfire from inside a 20-year-old burn scar—a perfect place to see fire recovery in action. 🌱

Sign-up link in bio! 🔗

#NorthStarNaturalist #CaliforniaWildfire #OtayMountain #Border2Fire #SanDiego #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #FireWise #FriarsFire #GilmanFire #CedarFire

We've all got questions about California wildfires. Let's talk about some of the answers!
🔥
Deadliest form of wildfire: It's not what you might think!
Predicting the next incident: One native plant plays a big role.
Fire retardant ingredients: Some good, some bad—worth looking into.
🤔
If you want to learn more about wildfire in Southern California, join me this weekend for my Wildfire 101 Walks, running Saturday and Sunday. I've got lots of fascinating info and stories to share. We'll even be exploring wildfire from inside a 20-year-old burn scar—a perfect place to see fire recovery in action. 🌱

Sign-up link in bio! 🔗

#NorthStarNaturalist #CaliforniaWildfire #OtayMountain #Border2Fire #SanDiego #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #FireWise #FriarsFire #GilmanFire #CedarFire

Get your burning wildfire questions answered! 🔥
From high on a ridgeline overlooking San Diego County's landscapes, come learn everything you want to know about wildfire in Southern California.

Gain a deeper understanding for how fire, along with water and wind, is a major element that shapes our unique environment. See how wildlife—and humans—have adapted to, and coexisted with fire for millennia, and discuss what the future of fire might look like for San Diego. All attendees will receive a wildfire preparedness packet!

Details and sign-up link in bio! 🔗

#NorthStarNaturalist #Wildfire #CaliforniaWildfire #Wildfire101 #GuidedWalks #SanDiegoNature #SoCal #Chaparral #SouthernCalifornia

Get your burning wildfire questions answered! 🔥
From high on a ridgeline overlooking San Diego County's landscapes, come learn everything you want to know about wildfire in Southern California.

Gain a deeper understanding for how fire, along with water and wind, is a major element that shapes our unique environment. See how wildlife—and humans—have adapted to, and coexisted with fire for millennia, and discuss what the future of fire might look like for San Diego. All attendees will receive a wildfire preparedness packet!

Details and sign-up link in bio! 🔗

#NorthStarNaturalist #Wildfire #CaliforniaWildfire #Wildfire101 #GuidedWalks #SanDiegoNature #SoCal #Chaparral #SouthernCalifornia

Talk about a glow up! 🤩
Come see this magic for yourself TONIGHT on a tidepool tour. Only a few spots left on my two remaining night tours of the season!!

Sign-up link in bio!

#northstarnaturalist #sandiegowildlife #sandiegonature #socal #tidepooling #fluorescence #glowup #Chiton #shinebright

Talk about a glow up! 🤩
Come see this magic for yourself TONIGHT on a tidepool tour. Only a few spots left on my two remaining night tours of the season!!

Sign-up link in bio!

#northstarnaturalist #sandiegowildlife #sandiegonature #socal #tidepooling #fluorescence #glowup #Chiton #shinebright

Gosh, my first year as the North Star Naturalist went by fast!

Turns out I'm pretty bad at taking photos of me and my guests during tours, but if you've been outside with me, you know I get carried away by nature's splendor! So here are some nature highlights from 2024. 🤓

Thank you all for making this year fun, fulfilling, and downright fascinating! 🪲

Can't wait for what the next year brings. Nature never fails to disappoint, especially when you have other nature nerds at your side. ❤️

#NorthStarNaturalist #SanDiegoNature #SmallBusinessSD #YearInReview

Gosh, my first year as the North Star Naturalist went by fast!

Turns out I'm pretty bad at taking photos of me and my guests during tours, but if you've been outside with me, you know I get carried away by nature's splendor! So here are some nature highlights from 2024. 🤓

Thank you all for making this year fun, fulfilling, and downright fascinating! 🪲

Can't wait for what the next year brings. Nature never fails to disappoint, especially when you have other nature nerds at your side. ❤️

#NorthStarNaturalist #SanDiegoNature #SmallBusinessSD #YearInReview

Thanks to the Sun and the Moon for gracing us with three more favorable nights for tidepool tours this winter! ☀️🌕✨

The last series sold out completely! And we had a blast each time! The next round of tours will be in the Ocean Beach area, so come on out and see what weird wildlife awaits! 🐙

Sign-up link in bio.

#northstarnaturalist #sandiegowildlife #sandiegonature #socal #octopus #tidepooling #intertidalzone #oceanbeachsandiego #oceanbeach

Thanks to the Sun and the Moon for gracing us with three more favorable nights for tidepool tours this winter! ☀️🌕✨

The last series sold out completely! And we had a blast each time! The next round of tours will be in the Ocean Beach area, so come on out and see what weird wildlife awaits! 🐙

Sign-up link in bio.

#northstarnaturalist #sandiegowildlife #sandiegonature #socal #octopus #tidepooling #intertidalzone #oceanbeachsandiego #oceanbeach

Thanks to the good people at the Point Loma Native Plant Garden, @sandiegoriver and the @plnativeseedlibrary, I was able to gather some festive native plants for a homemade wreath! 🎄

I was dreaming of making one all month, but had nowhere to legally harvest plants. I'm so happy with how it turned out out! And it smells AMAZING.

If you want to make your own native plant wreath for the holidays, head over to the San Diego River Park Foundation's website and look for their wreath-making event on Dec 22!

#NorthStarNaturalist #ChristmasInSanDiego #sandiegowildlife #sandiegonature #socal #toyon #CaliforniaHolly #DIYHolidays #SustainableDecor #tecatecypress #CaliforniaNativePlants

Thanks to the good people at the Point Loma Native Plant Garden, @sandiegoriver and the @plnativeseedlibrary, I was able to gather some festive native plants for a homemade wreath! 🎄

I was dreaming of making one all month, but had nowhere to legally harvest plants. I'm so happy with how it turned out out! And it smells AMAZING.

If you want to make your own native plant wreath for the holidays, head over to the San Diego River Park Foundation's website and look for their wreath-making event on Dec 22!

#NorthStarNaturalist #ChristmasInSanDiego #sandiegowildlife #sandiegonature #socal #toyon #CaliforniaHolly #DIYHolidays #SustainableDecor #tecatecypress #CaliforniaNativePlants

Nature is the greatest gift of all. 😍 🎁
Give your loved ones an unforgettable experience in nature, while supporting small local business. Gift cards are now available for guided tours (link in bio), and if you buy before December 31st, you get 20% off with the code TISTHESEASON !

I looking forward to making your spirits bright. ✨

📷 Becky Matsubara
#NorthStarNaturalist #ShopSmall #TisTheSeason #GiftOfNature #SanDiegoNature #SupportSanDiegoBusiness #Toyon #CedarWaxwing #CaliforniaChristmasBerry

Nature is the greatest gift of all. 😍 🎁
Give your loved ones an unforgettable experience in nature, while supporting small local business. Gift cards are now available for guided tours (link in bio), and if you buy before December 31st, you get 20% off with the code TISTHESEASON !

I looking forward to making your spirits bright. ✨

📷 Becky Matsubara
#NorthStarNaturalist #ShopSmall #TisTheSeason #GiftOfNature #SanDiegoNature #SupportSanDiegoBusiness #Toyon #CedarWaxwing #CaliforniaChristmasBerry

Happy Small Business Saturday from your favorite local naturalist! ✨
I started North Star Naturalist last year with a mission to spark curiosity, care, and reverence for nature through immersive, guided experiences.

Running a one-woman business has been a fun, fascinating, and a sometimes tough experience, and I am so glad I dove in! With tidepooling and native gardening walks this month and next, plus fungi forays starting up and ongoing hiking tours, I have no plans of slowing down.

My main goal is not to make big money or grow into an empire that feeds off our wild spaces. It's to offer genuine, intimate, and conscious opportunities for anyone to connect with nature—but it all depends on you guys!

If you want to support my small business, recommend North Star Naturalist to visiting friends and family. Sign up for my newsletter (link in bio). Register for one of my free, low cost, or full-price tours (I have one today at 2pm!). And if you've gone out with me before, write me a review on Google. There are many ways to "shop local" and the more you all support my efforts, the more experiences and opportunities I can provide in return.
🤝
We're in this conservation conversation together!
xoxo 💚
-Cypress

#NorthStarnaturalist #SmallBusinessSaturday #SanDiegoSmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #Naturalist #SupportLocalBusiness #ShopLocal #SanDiego #SanDiegoNature

Happy Small Business Saturday from your favorite local naturalist! ✨
I started North Star Naturalist last year with a mission to spark curiosity, care, and reverence for nature through immersive, guided experiences.

Running a one-woman business has been a fun, fascinating, and a sometimes tough experience, and I am so glad I dove in! With tidepooling and native gardening walks this month and next, plus fungi forays starting up and ongoing hiking tours, I have no plans of slowing down.

My main goal is not to make big money or grow into an empire that feeds off our wild spaces. It's to offer genuine, intimate, and conscious opportunities for anyone to connect with nature—but it all depends on you guys!

If you want to support my small business, recommend North Star Naturalist to visiting friends and family. Sign up for my newsletter (link in bio). Register for one of my free, low cost, or full-price tours (I have one today at 2pm!). And if you've gone out with me before, write me a review on Google. There are many ways to "shop local" and the more you all support my efforts, the more experiences and opportunities I can provide in return.
🤝
We're in this conservation conversation together!
xoxo 💚
-Cypress

#NorthStarnaturalist #SmallBusinessSaturday #SanDiegoSmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #Naturalist #SupportLocalBusiness #ShopLocal #SanDiego #SanDiegoNature

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂🌰🍁 If you need to walk off today's dinner tomorrow morning, join me for a stroll outside and learn all about the harvest season in San Diego!

All guests get a baby native plant (pictured here!) AND native garden starter pack. Sign-up link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #OptOutside #HarvestSeason #sandiegowildlife #SanDiegoNature #fallharvest #Seeds #CaliforniaNativeGarden

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂🌰🍁 If you need to walk off today's dinner tomorrow morning, join me for a stroll outside and learn all about the harvest season in San Diego!

All guests get a baby native plant (pictured here!) AND native garden starter pack. Sign-up link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #OptOutside #HarvestSeason #sandiegowildlife #SanDiegoNature #fallharvest #Seeds #CaliforniaNativeGarden

Acorns, pumpkin seeds, pinecones, nutmeg, chestnuts, holly berries... so much of our "holiday cheer" revolves around seeds! 🌰

If you're looking for something to do on Black Friday that doesn't involve long lines and corporations, my Seed Celebration walks will be inspiring, refreshing, and mildly active—a perfect way to spend the day off. 🦃

If you're curious about the science behind many of our foods and traditions, looking for gardening ideas, or just want some fresh air, I've got you covered!

I have two "seed strolls" happening this week to take advantage of the long weekend. Bring your friends and family out and receive a free native garden starter kit! Sign-up link in bio. 🔗

#NorthStarNaturalist #HarvestSeason #SowingSeeds #SeedsOfChange #PlantNative #CaliforniaNativePlants #SanDiegoNative #SeedHarvest #SeedStroll #OptOutside

Acorns, pumpkin seeds, pinecones, nutmeg, chestnuts, holly berries... so much of our "holiday cheer" revolves around seeds! 🌰

If you're looking for something to do on Black Friday that doesn't involve long lines and corporations, my Seed Celebration walks will be inspiring, refreshing, and mildly active—a perfect way to spend the day off. 🦃

If you're curious about the science behind many of our foods and traditions, looking for gardening ideas, or just want some fresh air, I've got you covered!

I have two "seed strolls" happening this week to take advantage of the long weekend. Bring your friends and family out and receive a free native garden starter kit! Sign-up link in bio. 🔗

#NorthStarNaturalist #HarvestSeason #SowingSeeds #SeedsOfChange #PlantNative #CaliforniaNativePlants #SanDiegoNative #SeedHarvest #SeedStroll #OptOutside

Night-pooling was a total success! ✨ We saw so many incredible life forms, including two I've never seen alive before! Thanks to everyone who came out for round 1, I had a great time nerding out with y'all. 💜

I have two more night-pooling tours coming up:
Dec. 5 at 6:30pm - Only 1 spot left!
Dec. 18 at 6pm - Only 3 spots left!

Sign up today to explore the tidepools at night with a guide. We'll learn about fluorescence, nudibranchs, nocturnal lifestyles, the importance of slowing down, and so much more. Sign-up link in bio!

Swipe to the end to see a tiny sea spider, then swipe again to see it GLOW. 🤩

Critters, in order:
Fluorescing sunburst anemone, wart-necked piddock clam feeding, the back end of a Cockscomb nudibranch, Homo sapiens enjoying themselves, Solander's trivia snail (false cowrie) with shell poking out, sea spider + sea spider fluorescing.

#NorthStarNaturalist #Tidepooling #SanDiegoNature #SanDiegoNightLife #MarineLife #Fluorescence #LaJolla #OceanBeach #PointLoma #PacificBeach

Night-pooling was a total success! ✨ We saw so many incredible life forms, including two I've never seen alive before! Thanks to everyone who came out for round 1, I had a great time nerding out with y'all. 💜

I have two more night-pooling tours coming up:
Dec. 5 at 6:30pm - Only 1 spot left!
Dec. 18 at 6pm - Only 3 spots left!

Sign up today to explore the tidepools at night with a guide. We'll learn about fluorescence, nudibranchs, nocturnal lifestyles, the importance of slowing down, and so much more. Sign-up link in bio!

Swipe to the end to see a tiny sea spider, then swipe again to see it GLOW. 🤩

Critters, in order:
Fluorescing sunburst anemone, wart-necked piddock clam feeding, the back end of a Cockscomb nudibranch, Homo sapiens enjoying themselves, Solander's trivia snail (false cowrie) with shell poking out, sea spider + sea spider fluorescing.

#NorthStarNaturalist #Tidepooling #SanDiegoNature #SanDiegoNightLife #MarineLife #Fluorescence #LaJolla #OceanBeach #PointLoma #PacificBeach

Thanks to a donation from the one and only @bugsdanceintherain, I'll be offering baby native plants to all attendees for my Seed Celebration series! Woohoo!

We've got sages, dudleya succulents, sunflowers, sagebrush, blue-eyed grass, and more! Today is your last chance to sign up for any of the dates in the series and get a 20% discount with the code SEEDS. What a deal. Tell your friends! See you out there!

#northstarnaturalist #sandiegowildlife #socal #sandiegonature #sandiegogarden #NativePlants #CaliforniaWildflowers #californianativeplants #fallharvest

Thanks to a donation from the one and only @bugsdanceintherain, I'll be offering baby native plants to all attendees for my Seed Celebration series! Woohoo!

We've got sages, dudleya succulents, sunflowers, sagebrush, blue-eyed grass, and more! Today is your last chance to sign up for any of the dates in the series and get a 20% discount with the code SEEDS. What a deal. Tell your friends! See you out there!

#northstarnaturalist #sandiegowildlife #socal #sandiegonature #sandiegogarden #NativePlants #CaliforniaWildflowers #californianativeplants #fallharvest

Oh, to be a tiny two-spot octopus sitting in its tiny perfect pool... in the dark. 🐙

A few open spots remain in my nighttime tidepooling series! Sign-up now for your best chance to see nocturnal animals like this beautiful octopus in San Diego.

I've got two dates left to choose from!
Dec 5 @ 6:30pm
Dec 18 @ 6pm

Link in bio! See you out there! ✨

#NorthStarNaturalist #Tidepools #Intertidal #SanDiegoNature #Octopus #SoCal #Nocturnal

Oh, to be a tiny two-spot octopus sitting in its tiny perfect pool... in the dark. 🐙

A few open spots remain in my nighttime tidepooling series! Sign-up now for your best chance to see nocturnal animals like this beautiful octopus in San Diego.

I've got two dates left to choose from!
Dec 5 @ 6:30pm
Dec 18 @ 6pm

Link in bio! See you out there! ✨

#NorthStarNaturalist #Tidepools #Intertidal #SanDiegoNature #Octopus #SoCal #Nocturnal

It's time to celebrate harvest season and get inspired to plant native! 🌱

I'm excited to introduce a new series of short, easy "seed strolls" in South County, where we'll dive into the fascinating world of seeds—from their incredible biology to the many ways they shape our cultures and ecosystems.

We'll also explore why planting native is a win-win for everyone, which plants are best for beginners (and balconies🪴), and where to get native plants and seeds in San Diego.

Attendees will also receive their very own ✨native garden starter kit✨ with carefully selected *locally sourced* seeds from the California Native Plant Society!

I can't wait to get y'all psyched about seeds! 🌰 Early birds who sign up this week get 20% off with code SEEDS. Link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #HarvestSeason #SowingSeeds #SeedsOfChange #PlantNative #CaliforniaNativePlants #SanDiegoNative #SeedHarvest #SeedStroll #NativeGardener

It's time to celebrate harvest season and get inspired to plant native! 🌱

I'm excited to introduce a new series of short, easy "seed strolls" in South County, where we'll dive into the fascinating world of seeds—from their incredible biology to the many ways they shape our cultures and ecosystems.

We'll also explore why planting native is a win-win for everyone, which plants are best for beginners (and balconies🪴), and where to get native plants and seeds in San Diego.

Attendees will also receive their very own ✨native garden starter kit✨ with carefully selected *locally sourced* seeds from the California Native Plant Society!

I can't wait to get y'all psyched about seeds! 🌰 Early birds who sign up this week get 20% off with code SEEDS. Link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #HarvestSeason #SowingSeeds #SeedsOfChange #PlantNative #CaliforniaNativePlants #SanDiegoNative #SeedHarvest #SeedStroll #NativeGardener

Have you ever gone tidepooling at night?
It's an entirely different experience!
🦐
I've tidepooled in many places over the years, but night-pooling in San Diego is by-far some of the best times I've had. You see so many animals that simply aren't out during the day!
🌙
Join me for a night in the pools as we draw nearer to the dramatic king tides this winter.
🔦
I'll bring the flashlights, you bring the curiosity. Deal?
Sign up now - space is VERY LIMITED for these intimate, slow-paced events. Sign-up link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #NightTime #Tidepooling #KingTides #SanDiegoNature #WeekNight #MidWeekAdventure

Have you ever gone tidepooling at night?
It's an entirely different experience!
🦐
I've tidepooled in many places over the years, but night-pooling in San Diego is by-far some of the best times I've had. You see so many animals that simply aren't out during the day!
🌙
Join me for a night in the pools as we draw nearer to the dramatic king tides this winter.
🔦
I'll bring the flashlights, you bring the curiosity. Deal?
Sign up now - space is VERY LIMITED for these intimate, slow-paced events. Sign-up link in bio!

#NorthStarNaturalist #NightTime #Tidepooling #KingTides #SanDiegoNature #WeekNight #MidWeekAdventure

Had a great time with y'all in the tidepools for sunset last month! I still can't believe it sold out. 🥹

Special thanks to Ryan Chung for capturing these beautiful shots of a tranquil evening on the coast.

For November and December, I'll be hosting three ✨ night-time✨ tidepooling sessions! They will be small groups so we can really take our time and find cool stuff. Head over to the link in my bio (or my website) to sign up!

#NorthStarNaturalist #SanDiegoNature #WeekNights #MidWeekAdventure #Tidepools #Tidepooling #LaJolla #OceanBeach #SanDiegoNature

Had a great time with y'all in the tidepools for sunset last month! I still can't believe it sold out. ��🥹

Special thanks to Ryan Chung for capturing these beautiful shots of a tranquil evening on the coast.

For November and December, I'll be hosting three ✨ night-time✨ tidepooling sessions! They will be small groups so we can really take our time and find cool stuff. Head over to the link in my bio (or my website) to sign up!

#NorthStarNaturalist #SanDiegoNature #WeekNights #MidWeekAdventure #Tidepools #Tidepooling #LaJolla #OceanBeach #SanDiegoNature

Halloween is coming! 🎃 Did you know San Diego has its own native pumpkin? It's called coyote melon 🐺 🍈 and it's a close relative of the classic orange pumpkins we like to carve, bake, and decorate with.

🤢 Buuutttt, coyote melons taste terrible and are mostly seeds inside. Their flesh is way too hard for carving, and they're usually no bigger than a softball. So what are they good for?

🐝 Well, bees love their gigantic flowers, many animals eat their seeds, and they make for a lush ground cover in spring and summer. Coyote melon plants are extremely hardy—often preferring hot, dry conditions and gravelly, nutrient-poor soil. In other words, make a great garden addition that provides free Halloween decor! Score!

As for the plant's name... there are dozens of competing stories. Some say it's because coyotes do occasionally eat them, or maybe it's because the fruit *looks* edible, but is actually quite bitter, like a trickster...like a coyote. 🤔

In any case, the coyote melon is yet another strange, beautiful plant that is perfectly adapted to our unique environment. And so festive, too!

📷 Ryan Strother and Lonny Holmes

#NorthStarNaturalist #SDNature #NativePlants #SpookySeason #HalloweenDecor #NativePumpkin #FallHarvest #CoyoteMelon

Halloween is coming! 🎃 Did you know San Diego has its own native pumpkin? It's called coyote melon 🐺 🍈 and it's a close relative of the classic orange pumpkins we like to carve, bake, and decorate with.

🤢 Buuutttt, coyote melons taste terrible and are mostly seeds inside. Their flesh is way too hard for carving, and they're usually no bigger than a softball. So what are they good for?

🐝 Well, bees love their gigantic flowers, many animals eat their seeds, and they make for a lush ground cover in spring and summer. Coyote melon plants are extremely hardy—often preferring hot, dry conditions and gravelly, nutrient-poor soil. In other words, make a great garden addition that provides free Halloween decor! Score!

As for the plant's name... there are dozens of competing stories. Some say it's because coyotes do occasionally eat them, or maybe it's because the fruit *looks* edible, but is actually quite bitter, like a trickster...like a coyote. 🤔

In any case, the coyote melon is yet another strange, beautiful plant that is perfectly adapted to our unique environment. And so festive, too!

📷 Ryan Strother and Lonny Holmes

#NorthStarNaturalist #SDNature #NativePlants #SpookySeason #HalloweenDecor #NativePumpkin #FallHarvest #CoyoteMelon

Happy #NationalMushroomDay! 🍄 Most people think San Diego is too dry for fungi, but we have thousannddsss of species here! You just have to know where and when to look, and you're in luck! Cuz I know some great spots.

I'll be starting my fungi forays up again in a month or so (once the rains return). These fun, easy hikes are a great way to learn about local mushrooms, molds, and lichens, their roles in our ecosystem, as well as how to identify them.

I hope to see y'all on some forays soon!
Mush love,
-C

#NorthStarNaturalist #SDNature #SoCalFungi #CaliforniaFungi #MushroomHunting #CaliforniaMushrooms

Happy #NationalMushroomDay! 🍄 Most people think San Diego is too dry for fungi, but we have thousannddsss of species here! You just have to know where and when to look, and you're in luck! Cuz I know some great spots.

I'll be starting my fungi forays up again in a month or so (once the rains return). These fun, easy hikes are a great way to learn about local mushrooms, molds, and lichens, their roles in our ecosystem, as well as how to identify them.

I hope to see y'all on some forays soon!
Mush love,
-C

#NorthStarNaturalist #SDNature #SoCalFungi #CaliforniaFungi #MushroomHunting #CaliforniaMushrooms

Join me in the tidepools for a beautiful sunset tour on October 20! Only $15 and everyone under 18 is half-price! 🌅

Let's kick-off the tidepooling season the right way! With friends, fellow nature nerds, and curiosity! 🐚😎🦀

#NorthStarNaturalist #SanDiegoThingsToDo #LaJolla #Tidepooling #SoCal #SanDiegoNature #SanDiegoFamilies

Join me in the tidepools for a beautiful sunset tour on October 20! Only $15 and everyone under 18 is half-price! 🌅

Let's kick-off the tidepooling season the right way! With friends, fellow nature nerds, and curiosity! 🐚😎🦀

#NorthStarNaturalist #SanDiegoThingsToDo #LaJolla #Tidepooling #SoCal #SanDiegoNature #SanDiegoFamilies

Me dancing for joy knowing that it's officially DAYTIME TIDEPOOLING SEASON! 🤩
Join me Sunday, Oct. 20 for Tidepools at Twilight and see more animals than you ever thought possible. Can't make the 20th? Check my tour calendar for more tidepooling dates! Link in bio. 🐚

#northstarnaturalist #tidepool #sandiegotidepools #sandiegobeaches #sdnature #nudibranchs #spanishshawlnudibranch

Me dancing for joy knowing that it's officially DAYTIME TIDEPOOLING SEASON! 🤩
Join me Sunday, Oct. 20 for Tidepools at Twilight and see more animals than you ever thought possible. Can't make the 20th? Check my tour calendar for more tidepooling dates! Link in bio. 🐚

#northstarnaturalist #tidepool #sandiegotidepools #sandiegobeaches #sdnature #nudibranchs #spanishshawlnudibranch

🪲 A poem for the figeaters:
Clumsily colliding with human heads,
We claw their hair, while they flee with dread.
Shining and armored, we're the smallest of knights,
But grace is for someone with far stronger flight.
All we seek is the sweet stuff, a nice fruity treat.
We're as harmless as butterflies, just give us a few feet.

Maybe poetry isn't for me, but I LOVE these beetles, and I hope someday everyone else will see them as clumsy jewels worth admiring instead of scary bugs worth swatting. 🥹

#northstarnaturalist #figeater #scarab #desertbugs #entomology #junebeetle #sandiegonature @sandiegomag

🪲 A poem for the figeaters:
Clumsily colliding with human heads,
We claw their hair, while they flee with dread.
Shining and armored, we're the smallest of knights,
But grace is for someone with far stronger flight.
All we seek is the sweet stuff, a nice fruity treat.
We're as harmless as butterflies, just give us a few feet.

Maybe poetry isn't for me, but I LOVE these beetles, and I hope someday everyone else will see them as clumsy jewels worth admiring instead of scary bugs worth swatting. 🥹

#northstarnaturalist #figeater #scarab #desertbugs #entomology #junebeetle #sandiegonature @sandiegomag

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