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The Weekender — Friday, May 17, 2013
Journey
Explore nature at Descanso Gardens BY MATTHEW MARTZ TEHACHAPI NEWS
Just over 100 miles from downtown Tehachapi is a 150acre gem that highlights the beauty of nature through an internationally renowned botanical collection and a variety of seasonal horticultural displays. Once owned by newspaper magnate E. Manchester Boddy, Descanso Gardens in the La Canada neighborhood of Los Angeles County stands as a symbol of one man’s love for botanical plants. Wanting to preserve the site, Boddy donated his gardens to the county in 1953 and since then it has been magnificently maintained for thousands of visitors to experience each year. But the gardens just aren’t for botanists; ornithologists (bird watchers) also enjoy the serene surroundings. And just past the five-acre rose garden with its collection of the All-America Rose Selections winners since 1940, is the bird observation station and lake, which provides a shelter and nesting area for a wide variety of birds, waterfowl and other animals.
Like a natural playground for winged and legged critters alike, each section of Descanso Gardens is unique, especially to southern California. Like the dryraked garden, modeled after a Shen garden in Kyoto. The Shen garden brings the spirit of the Fareast to the foothills of Los Angeles, providing spectacular fall foliage changes, which cloak the beautiful blue tile roofing of the full moon teahouse nestled in the midst of flowering branches and vines. There is also a Shinto bridge and a Japanese farmhouse that sit beside a meandering path, which leads directly to the Boddy house — a 12,000square-foot, 22-room mansion that served as the family’s residence during their time of ownership. Tucked into a hillside, today the house offers a rare glimpse of glamour from a bygone era and is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Other areas of the gardens include, nature’s table, an eightacre garden planted with fruit trees and seasonal vegetables
along with herbs and edible flowers, the harvest garden, lilac garden and the oak forest. While self-guided walks are the way most visitors enjoy the gardens, guided tram tours are available for a small fee. Another way to get a unique perspective is via the Enchanted Railroad, a 1/8 replica of a diesel train that travels a section of the gardens near the promenade. The railroad operates from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the railroad and the tram can be purchased at the visitor center where there is also a gift shop and the Descanso Café. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada Flintridge and is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General is $8, $6 for seniors, $3 for children 5 to 12 years and under 5 are free. Parking is also free. Because the gardens are an outside experience, all schedules are subject to weather and availability. It is advised to call ahead before visiting, 818-949-4200.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DESCANSOGARDENS.ORG
A view of the Japanese garden at Descanso from the teahouse
Oak trees with red-camellia blooms brighten Descanso Gardens
Fish & Wildlife
Why do turtles sold as pets have a size limit? Q&As from the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife BY CARRIE WILSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Question: Is there a size limit on the sale of turtles that are sold as pets? (Robert Bruce, Antioch) Answer: Yes, federal and state laws require that turtles must have a carapace length of at least 4 inches to be imported, sold or distributed (California Code of Regulations Title 17, section 2612.1). This restric-
PHOTO BY DAVE FELIZ
This is a Red-Eared Slider,a common turtle in the pet trade. They compete in the wild with our native Western Pond Turtle, so they should never be released.
tion was brought into effect under the Public Health Services Act by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1975 to address the problem of Salmonella infections in children. I have heard this size was determined to help prevent children from putting these small reptiles into their mouths. Prior to the ban there were an estimated 250,000 cases of turtle Salmonellosis in children and infants that were associated with pet turtles in the United States. For more information, please go to: http://exoticpets.about.c om/od/reptilesturtles/a/t urtlesales.htm.
How to legally exchange bear skulls and claws? Question: Are there any regulations prohibiting someone from giving me a bear skull or claws if legally taken either in Cali-
fornia or out of state? No money or goods would be exchanged. Would I need to have proof to show where the parts came from or who gave them to me? (Tom H.) Answer: No. If the skull or claws were taken from a bear in California, and as long as no money or goods were exchanged for the acquisition, you may legally receive and possess these bear parts. If the bear parts are from a bear taken in another state, then you will need to follow the regulations for sale or gifting of bear parts from that state and submit a “Declaration for Entry” form, available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/.
Sabiki rig Question: I frequently fish at the Point Arena pier but am not clear on a specific rule. I know you may only have two hooks on one fishing line, but is it legal to use a Sabiki rig with multiple small hooks to catch bait
fish? (Steve Lum) Answer: When fishing from Point Arena pier, you can use a fishing rod with multiple hooks as long as you don't have rockfish, cabezon, greenling or lingcod in your possession. If you happen to catch one of these species while using more than two hooks on your line, you must release the fish. You are limited to no more than one line and two hooks when fishing for rockfish, cabezon, greenling and lingcod, or if these species are in possession. On a public pier, you can use up to two fishing appliances (rod and reel, hoop net, crab trap, etc.) with no restrictions on the number of hooks (unless you are targeting the species mentioned above or have them in your possession).
Why early stop shooting times for turkeys? Question: I have been turkey hunting in California for several years and always wondered why the
shooting times are limited until only 4 pm. I have heard it protects them so they can return to roost in the evening, but this makes no sense since there is an over-abundance of turkeys in California, more than a lot of other states. Many other states allow turkey hunting until sundown, similar to big game. What’s the reason for this early shooting stop time? (Dave Johannes, Modesto) Answer: Shooting hours for the spring wild turkey season is always one-half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. The reason for the early stop time in the spring (versus the stop time of sunset in the fall) is because the spring season occurs during turkey breeding season. Only the toms (and bearded hens) may be taken in the spring to allow the hens to nest successfully. The goal is to maximize the opportunities for hunters to take turkeys while protecting nesting hens. Setting this
early shooting stop time gives the birds a break from hunting pressure, allows the toms to return to the roost and the hens to get back to their nests. Historically, the stop time was 1 p.m., but as wild turkey numbers have flourished, the stop hunting time was moved to 4 p.m. Turkeys typically roost communally and may have only one or no more than a few trees where they roost at night. They become more vulnerable toward the end of the day as they return to their preferred roost. If the turkeys are disturbed along the way by gun shots, they may select unfamiliar roosting areas, thus making themselves more vulnerable to predation. CARRIE WILSON is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at Cal.Outdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.