Nature

With its arched and weeping branches, the Peppermint Tree has the graceful elegance of a weeping willow.

One of the biggest priorities of the Los Padres Forest Association heading into 2021 was to restore and maintain the network of trails on the north side of the Santa Ynez Mountain between Cold Spring and Murietta Divide.

An edhat reader shares photos of a seagull that appears to have choked on a fish at Butterfly Beach.

Patti shares photos of dolphins off Rincon during sunset on Memorial Day.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has once again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums.

An edhat reader shares some observations of the California Thrashers.

Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network cares for hundreds of American crows every year, making them one of the most common avian patients that the Center receives.

An edhat reader captured a photo of a Great Blue Heron watching boats at the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Local composer writes orchestral piece at San Marcos Foothills in desperate plea to save it.

Max shares aerial photos of the Santa Barbara Harbor and Shoreline Park.

As if the Blue Hesper Palm’s stunning bluish-gray fronds weren’t enough to make this palm stand out in any landscape, its long arching inflorescences are so incredible that they force you to stop and gaze in amazement.

Edhat readers share photos of five black swans spotted in the Santa Barbara Harbor this week.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is pleased to announce that the California Condor Cam is now live again, and people from around the world can watch a newly hatched condor chick in real-time.

A juvenile brown pelican found oiled and unable to fly on the beach along Rincon Parkway in Ventura.

An edhat reader shares a photo of the San Marcos Foothills on a cloudy Wednesday.

April 17 was International Bat Appreciation Day – the perfect day for Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network to highlight these important, and commonly misunderstood, animals. 

There are more wildflowers on Figueroa Mountain this week than 2 weeks ago, but nowhere near as many as an average wildflower year. 

The African Coral tree is one of the most spectacular of flowering trees.

An edhat reader shares photos of a Red Tail Hawk and Golden Eagle near Lake Cachuma.

An edhat reader captured a video of a coyote running through Isla Vista.

An edhat reader has created a short video to promote fundraising for the San Marcos Foothills Preserve.

Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network received its first baby raccoon of the season.

Max shares an aerial photo of UC Santa Barbara's campus on Wednesday.

Local wildflowers are off to a late start this year and will most likely be "short-lived" due to a fairly dry winter.

An edhat reader shares a view of Santa Barbara's coast on Saturday. 

[Update]: Edhat readers share photos of sunsets and rainbows over Santa Barbara.

Max shares a progressive photo series of Friday's sunset over the Santa Barbara Airport.

The Golden Trumpet Tree steals the show in any landscape, because it has the most intensely yellow - and stunning - display of flowers.

A local pilot shared photos above Hawaii this week, oh wait, it's Santa Barbara!

Tom shares stunning photos of an octopus hunting in a Central Coast tidepool.