You Shared Your Favorite Wild Animals in California

Occasionally, one of these creatures achieves the status of a local celebrity, rising to the limelight of the neighborhood and becoming a character in our daily lives. Inspired by my colleague Jill Cowan’s recent topic About Los Angeles’ favorite mountain lion, P-22, we asked for your stories about the beloved wild animals in your corner of California.

Here are some, lightly edited, shared by readers:

“Over the past several years, we have shared our restaurant property with an unusual but friendly bear. He comes in the spring and disappears around Christmas. Rupert, the name we named the bear. Granted, he lounges around the backlot area and keeps the grubs and blackberries under control, rarely venturing into our main backyard. Our dog, Rosie, is definitely on the lookout. Terry Eilers, Mount Shasta.

“Albert Albino Moore is quite famous in Boulder Creek, where during the fire at the CZU Lightning Complex, the locals tried to get him out, but he was too big and couldn’t fit into anything. Because the city didn’t burn.” , he was right and, as far as I know, is. still alive And around today. Some posters and T-shirts were made with his image as a symbol of resilience, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. – Laura Testa Reyes, Boulder Creek

“Many years ago, almost every evening, my wife and I climbed to the top of Mission Point, a local mountain. Once, on our way down, we saw a hole in the dirt road. Our headlamps revealed a tarantula inside. Every night for two weeks we visited ‘Tommy’ until he disappeared without notice. Later, we learned that Tommy was probably a ‘she’, either protecting her eggs. Or waiting in her den for a wandering male as a mate – and perhaps food.” – Jim Davis, Northridge

“A hummingbird once flew into my living room window, and I found it stunned on the patio. I picked it up to protect it from the neighbor’s cat, pouncing hawks, and my chocolate lab. I kept it in my enclosure. I held him in my arms for five minutes to let him recover. Then I opened my arms and let him rest until he felt strong enough to fly. He was quiet for another five minutes and I let him rest. hit under the head and beak. Then he flew off, circled me a couple of times and then alighted on my shoulder and stayed there for two or three minutes before flying off – Susan Rogers, Carmel