The Los Angeles Arboretum is a lovely idyllic place that can still boast of a few little niches that are left to run a little (pleasantly) wild.

An afternoon visit with Ellen felt a bit like a slice of of Planet Earth (well, a significantly cheaper, non-HD version with no NASA technology and BBC orchestra).  We saw a heron's distended neck swell to double its size as it attempted to gulp down a fish the size of his head and squirrels dexterously peel nuts from a tree. 

It was also a little electrifying to watch peacocks stroll casually around the grounds.  And something was obviously in the air as I watched a peacock chase out an offending male, then perform his little courting dance to attract the attention of a less-than-enthused female.