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Aubry.ann.photos Seeing the world through my eye

Meet the desert cottontail!• Those oversized ears aren’t just cute—they help regulate body temperature and detect predat...
06/11/2026

Meet the desert cottontail!

• Those oversized ears aren’t just cute—they help regulate body temperature and detect predators from far away.
• A rabbit’s eyes are positioned on the sides of its head, giving it nearly 360° vision.
• Their white “cotton” tail can act as a visual warning signal to other rabbits when danger is nearby.

Nature’s design is pretty incredible. 🤎🌿

This is a Northern Mockingbird, one of the most talented vocal mimics in the animal kingdom. They don’t just sing; they ...
05/27/2026

This is a Northern Mockingbird, one of the most talented vocal mimics in the animal kingdom. They don’t just sing; they sample the entire soundscape.

Fun Facts:
• Master mimics: They can learn and repeat hundreds of sounds — other birds, frogs, car alarms, even cell phone rings.
• Endless learners: Males keep adding new songs throughout their lives, sometimes learning a dozen new ones each season.
• Fierce defenders: Despite their gentle look, they’ll fearlessly dive‑bomb hawks, cats, and anything that threatens their nest.
• Urban adapters: They thrive in cities, suburbs, and wild spaces alike, making them one of the most familiar voices of North America.

Mockingbirds remind us that creativity isn’t about having the loudest voice — it’s about knowing how to make the world your instrument.

For more than two years, I’ve been scanning the hills of Camp Pendleton hoping to catch a glimpse of these legends — and...
05/18/2026

For more than two years, I’ve been scanning the hills of Camp Pendleton hoping to catch a glimpse of these legends — and today, it finally happened.
There’s something surreal about seeing an animal this iconic just existing on the same land Marines train on. It feels like stumbling into a piece of American history that decided it wasn’t done writing its story.

A few things that make the Pendleton bison so special:
• They’re the largest land mammals in North America, with some bulls pushing 2,000 pounds — yet they move with this calm, grounded confidence.
• That patchy, rugged look? It’s from shedding their winter coat in big tufts, a natural spring makeover.
• Even at their size, they can hit 35–40 mph and turn on a dime. They’re built for survival.
• Camp Pendleton’s herd started in the 1970s and has grown into a protected, free‑roaming population that quietly maintains the base’s grassland ecosystem.
• Their grazing patterns help native plants, birds, and insects thrive — they’re ecosystem engineers without even trying.
• They’re peaceful when left alone, but they’re powerful animals — always admire from a respectful distance.

Two years of looking… and worth every minute.
Wild history, alive and well on the Southern California coast.

I know… it’s been a minute. Long enough that this Black Phoebe looked at me like, “So you do still exist.”Out on the tra...
05/15/2026

I know… it’s been a minute. Long enough that this Black Phoebe looked at me like, “So you do still exist.”

Out on the trail today, this little flycatcher reminded me why I always come back to sharing these moments — the small, quick flashes of life that most people walk right past.

A few things I love about Black Phoebes:

They’re aerial hunters, snatching insects right out of the air with incredible precision.

That cute tail‑wag they do? It’s part balance, part communication, and part pure attitude.

They’re almost always found near water, where insects gather — fountains, creeks, ponds, even backyard birdbaths.

Their nests are mud masterpieces, built under bridges, eaves, and overhangs for shelter.

They’re surprisingly loyal — many pairs stay together for multiple seasons.

Every time I see one, it feels like a tiny reminder to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the everyday magic perched right in front of us.

04/08/2026

Enjoy some nature sounds and mamma great horned owl with her babies.

Some birds perch politely. Nuthatches… do their own thing.This White‑breasted Nuthatch is one of the only birds in North...
04/05/2026

Some birds perch politely. Nuthatches… do their own thing.
This White‑breasted Nuthatch is one of the only birds in North America that can climb down a tree headfirst. It’s a tiny acrobat with a big personality, and watching one up close feels like getting a front‑row seat to nature’s clever engineering.
A few things that make them unforgettable:
- Gravity‑defying climbers: Their long back toe works like a built‑in climbing tool, giving them incredible grip on bark.
- Seed specialists: They tuck seeds into cracks and hammer them open—exactly how they earned the name “nuthatch.”
- Small but mighty: Males defend their territory with surprising confidence and bold displays.
- Winter collaborators: They often join chickadees and titmice in mixed flocks, because teamwork means better food and better safety.

Canada geese are more than familiar faces at ponds and parks—they’re incredible travelers with a deep sense of family an...
03/19/2026

Canada geese are more than familiar faces at ponds and parks—they’re incredible travelers with a deep sense of family and place.
• They return to the same nesting sites year after year, guided by memory and the Earth’s magnetic field.
• Their famous V‑formation isn’t just pretty—it helps the whole flock save energy on long flights.
• Goslings can swim within a day of hatching and often join “gang broods” where multiple parents raise the young together.
Even the most common birds carry extraordinary stories when we slow down and look a little closer.

This Amazon parrot perched in a SoCal tree is part of a story shaped by people, borders, and resilience.Decades ago, smu...
03/15/2026

This Amazon parrot perched in a SoCal tree is part of a story shaped by people, borders, and resilience.
Decades ago, smugglers trafficked wild parrots into the U.S., capturing them from Central and South American forests. When authorities cracked down, many birds were abandoned — and the survivors built new flocks in Southern California’s warm, food‑rich neighborhoods.
Fun Facts:
• They prefer tree cavities for nesting
• Their calls can reach over 100 decibels
• They’re among the smartest parrots on Earth
• Some flocks here are now three generations deep
Wild voices with wild histories



Coyotes rely on sound more than sight when hunting small prey. That raised paw is part of a behavior called mousing—a sl...
03/01/2026

Coyotes rely on sound more than sight when hunting small prey. That raised paw is part of a behavior called mousing—a slow, silent pause that helps them pinpoint movement beneath the grass. Once they lock onto the exact spot, they launch in a high, arcing pounce designed to break through the vegetation and land directly on their target.

The Science Behind the Stalk
A coyote’s hunt starts long before the leap.
- Ears rotate independently to triangulate tiny rustles underground.
- Weight shifts forward to reduce vibration and avoid alerting prey.
- The freeze-and-lift posture helps them calculate distance and angle.
This blend of patience, physics, and instinct is why coyotes thrive in so many habitats—from deserts to suburbs.

Animal Fun Facts with AubryWestern Bluebird • Quick, Fascinating Facts- Their blue is structural, not pigment-based — ti...
02/26/2026

Animal Fun Facts with Aubry
Western Bluebird • Quick, Fascinating Facts
- Their blue is structural, not pigment-based — tiny feather structures scatter light to create that vivid sky‑blue glow.
- They’re cavity nesters, relying on old woodpecker holes or nest boxes to raise their young. More standing dead trees = more bluebirds.
- Both parents feed the chicks, sometimes delivering 100+ insects a day during peak nesting season.
- They shift diets with the seasons, hunting insects in warm months and switching to berries in winter.
- They’re a conservation comeback story, rebounding thanks to nest‑box programs and habitat restoration across the West.
A small bird with a big ecological role — and a reminder that thoughtful habitat choices can bring color back to our landscapes.

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