Recently Asked
“Just found what I think is fungi growing out of the base of my apartment wall and I'm praying it's not cause for a speedy evacuation. But I'm not even sure it's fungi; hoping an expert can weigh in. T...”
Caitlin, Westside, Santa Barbara - September 21, 2023
“My mother had this basket for years, and it was in some of the stuff I saved after she died. Now I myself am in my 70's. I do not know if the basket is authentic or an imitation, although I do know t...”
Patti, Redlands, CA - September 18, 2023
“I believe we have quite a number of these spiders around our property but this had the biggest web so it may be actually be different from the rest? We have oak trees and it was suspended smack dab in...”
Cathy, Santa Paula - September 9, 2023
“Last week, in Buellton, I saw this caterpillar. I have two questions:
Is it a swallowtail caterpillar?
Is this the right season for caterpillars? I've seen swallowtail flying around my house (in Los...”
Karin, Buellton, CA - September 5, 2023
“Hi, I found this rock on the beach in Santa Barbara a few days after Hurricane Hilary. Just wondeting if this in an authentic artifact? Thanks, Mike”
Mike, Santa Barbara - August 23, 2023
“Hello,
The insect in the attached photos showed up outside the door to my home a few days ago and it is still there. The wings are 2 inches long and the insect is 3-3/4 inches long from wing tip to...”
Laurie, Santa Barbara - July 8, 2023
“I found what I think is a horse tooth on Hendry's beach. Is it old?? It's probably hard to tell from the photos. It's about 2 1/2 inches long. I'm guessing it washed down down a creek this past winter...”
Robert, Santa Barbara - June 18, 2023
“Are you able to tell what type of fossil this is? I found it near Hendrys beach. I saw part of it sticking out then I broke the rock open and found some more inside.”
Natalie, Santa Barbara - May 24, 2023
“Hello!
Can you tell what type of rodent this is? I thought at first Dusky-footed Woodrat, but the ears seem to be too small.
Thank you!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - May 19, 2023
“Hello!
Can you tell what type of grasshopper this is? I saw it out at UCSB West Campus.
Thank you!
Kevin”
Kevin, Goleta - May 15, 2023
“I saw this at base of eroding cliffs at Butterfly Beach in Montecito, just curious if animal or possibly human. Thanks. It was just about 10 inches in length.”
Aaron, Santa Barbara - May 8, 2023
“Good morning,
I found a rock near where I live in Santa Barbara, and I polished it, please help identify what kind of rock it is.
Thank you.”
Maria, Santa Barbara - May 2, 2023
“Hello!
Can you tell what type of bumblebee this is? It's the largest yellow one I've ever seen. It dwarfed the honey bees, but is not as large as a carpenter bee. I watched it for about 20 minutes, w...”
Kevin, UCSB - April 18, 2023
“On the 15th of this month, I went to the hummingbird feeders and saw a dead hummer underneath the feeder. It looked muddy and while it didn't look like an Annas Hummingbird, it seemed similar in size....”
Janine, Ojai,CA - March 21, 2023
“I found , see pics, boon teeth look jawline to me but I have no clue what animal, if it's old, if it new etc. can you help me identify? My research has me guess seal”
Lorraine, Pa - March 18, 2023
“Dear experts,I photographed these amazingly colorful red and yellow things growing in the leaf litter near my home in Solvang. Never seen anything quite like this before. What are they?There was a dea...”
Pat, Solvang, CA - March 16, 2023
“I would like to know if this basket is Native American made, or is a tourist trade knock-off. If my pictures are not adequate, or you need more information, please let me know.”
Roger, Arroyo Grande - March 15, 2023
“During the recent wind storm, this nest fell out of a tree in our backyard. It fell out of either an Ash or a California Pepper Tree that grow side by side. The nest is quite large. Can we donate it t...”
Cayce, Goleta - March 1, 2023
“Hello!
What type of bee is this? And are those two yellow balls pollen? This was taken at SBMNH on Sunday.
Thanks!”
Kevin, UCSB - February 27, 2023
“I found this stone bowl shortly after the recent storms near Haskells Beach area. The bowl was among several large rocks that are not normally seen.
The bowl perfectly balanced upright has two gro...”
Emma, Montecito - February 1, 2023