Sign of Sun and Neglect

Unlike downtown Los Angels, the California desert is a place of mystery and open spaces. Though many view it as an unbreakable stretch of useless dirt, rock and an occasional tumble weed, it is not. Our deserts are fragile and ecologically delicate. That's what makes this place so special. Leave any foreign object out here in the sun and it will surely fade into the landscape, much like this traffic sign. However, one element refuses to fade: the California desert sky.

Mako Sharks of West Covina

West Covina, CA -- Until today, I didn't realize we had Mako sharks roaming the hills of LA.

While on a trail in Galster Wilderness Park, I ran into an amateur paleontologist. Wearing a loupe around his neck and a rock pick in his hand, Keith pulled out a handful of sharks teeth and set them on white paper. He said the teeth (pictured) are millions of years old and are abundant in the hills of the Park. He also showed me a fossil of a prehistoric fish, closely related to a sardine. He said the teeth were found on the trail within the last hour!

Fascinating and quite serendipitous.