Coming from the Midwest, the scenery of Caltech campus is very different from what I’m used to. Not only are the buildings very different — lots of buildings were inspired by Spanish architecture — but the flora & fauna found here are also very unique! It was very fun during my first year to take walks around campus and observe all the plants and wildlife.
One of the most common sights on campus are our squirrels. They’re often fed by the locals, which makes them very friendly (and also very chubby sometimes). Over the past year, with some wisdom from upperclassmen, I’ve developed a near-foolproof squirrel-catching technique: move your arm in front of you in a wave-like motion while quickly clicking your tongue, and squirrels will almost always come up to you. This has worked on squirrels in Boston and Yosemite National Park!
We also have an abundance of birds on campus! On the left is a snowy egret.
Other common birds include hummingbirds and green parrots, which, believe it or not, have been local to Pasadena for at least 50 years! They have a very distinctive squawk.
You also can’t mention Caltech animals without mentioning our turtle pond! In the middle of campus is a gorgeous pathway intertwined with a small creek and ponds. Lots of turtles inhabit these ponds, and you can always find a ton of them basking in the sun on a clear day. Sometimes they’ll also wander their way onto walkways.
While technically not native to Caltech campus, there’s also an abundance of dogs. Many professors & staff bring their dogs to work — I’ve very often had meetings where I spend half the time petting their dog! Lots of local people also walk their dogs around campus.
The flora here are also gorgeous! I was sad about missing fall, but even though leaves may not fall, lots of plants bloom in the spring — and in gorgeous colors. Here on the right is a close-up of a jacaranda, which blooms purple! One jacaranda tree is right outside my house, and I see it every day on my walk out of class. Caltech also keeps a registry of trees around campus!
A lot of campus is also covered in vines. Here are some bougainvillea vines on Beckman Institute! Several other buildings on the southwest side of campus also have gorgeous purple wisteria vines.
California also wouldn’t be California without an abundance of palm trees! I always know I’m in Cali when I see rows and rows of palm trees on my drive to Caltech from the airport. No coconuts have fallen on my head (yet) but they’re still a fun sight!
If you ever get a chance, take a walk around Caltech campus! It’s utterly gorgeous, especially in the spring, and being able to take relaxing walks in the sun makes college life a lot less stressful.
