Nidiabook


	*TRAVEL AND NATURE*

Home | Our Backyard | Los Angeles


		TRUE ENCOUNTERS WITH LOS ANGELES WILDLIFE © by Nidia Beltramo © Copyright 2005-2006
		When I moved to Los Angeles from Buenos Aires suburbia 19 years ago, I was saddened by the thought of losing contact with wildlife. I assumed that only sparrows or city pigeons could survive amidst this jungle of concrete buildings and freeways. A big surprise was waiting, and I was moved and inspired to write the story of my interaction with these wild creatures that have adapted to survive in this harsh environment. These are true stories and I hope you enjoy them

CHAPTER 1:

Cookie the Squirrel

During my childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I used to think that squirrels were just furry and funny creatures that could be found in children’s cartoons

or books. Except for a few that inhabited the local zoo, there were no squirrels where I grew up...

CHAPTER 2:

Pippy The Blue Bird

Blue-colored birds are very rare in some parts of the world, and they are considered special. There is an old tale that tells that seeing a blue bird is a premonition of good things to happen. If the blue bird sings to you, luck will even be better. Even not-believers in superstitious tales or stories are always delighted to see a blue bird...

CHAPTER 3:

Play Possum

My first sighting of an opossum took place at a dark corner of Santa Monica, California. As I was driving one evening, I saw an animal that looked as a gigantic rat walking along a lonely and dark sidewalk...

CHAPTER 4:

Raccoons

THE ANIMAL WITH A MASK

I do not remember seeing any raccoons at the Buenos Aires local zoo on my few visits as a child. I am sure there must have been at least one, but at the time I was more interested in lions, tigers, elephants, camels and giraffes...

CHAPTER 5: Is that a Dog?

As a new inhabitant of Los Angeles I was delighted about the many beautiful surroundings that I could visit during the weekends. The fact that I could go from the San Gabriel Mountains to the beach in less than 1 hour was just amazing...