and native species like this Coast Scrub Jay.
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Roop Pond Mendoza Ranch, Coyote Lake County Park |
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| Roop Pond is a short .3 miles from the Mendoza Trail parking lot. | |
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| Cattails along the shore provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. | |
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| A great place to observe dragonflies like this Common Whitetail. | |
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| A Cardinal Meadowhawk pauses briefly to rest on a blade of shoreline grass. | |
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| While a Western Pondhawk rests in the mud along the shore. | |
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| With patience you can edge within a few feet of these fascinating insects. | |
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| A magnificent Flame Skimmer basking near the shore. | |
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| If undisturbed, it will hang motionless for 1-2 minutes. | |
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| In Summer, watch for new arrivals like this Variegated Meadowhawk along park trails. | |
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| You may also see them basking along the edges of Roop Pond. | |
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| In a dry landscape, stock ponds provide water for cattle and native species like this Coast Scrub Jay. |
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| What could be more refreshing than a quick bath on a hot day. | |
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| The Coast Scrub Jay is one of our most common native birds. | |
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| A family of Coots with their young forage for food near the shores of the pond. | |
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| Cautious parents, the Coots herded their brood to deep water as I approached. | |
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| Far more threatening to their brood is this non-native Bull Frog, a voracious predator. | |
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| Along the far shore, a California Rose leans out over the water. | |
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| Amid trail-side grasses, a few Rose Clover blooms can still be found. | |
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| A tiny Acmon Blue butterfly resting on a seedpod. | |
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| Returning along Roop Pond Trail to the parking lot. | |
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More dragonflies? Visit Horseshoe Lake. |