Balk Biological, Inc. has been providing the City of San Diego a wide variety of biological services in the Tijuana River Valley (TJRV) for over 5 years. Our efforts range from biological surveys, to mitigation and construction monitoring. Being a field biologist in the TJRV allows you to experience and see the most random, weird, and amazing things. Usually, I am in awe of the wonders of nature playing out all around me. Sometimes I get a big surprise like the time I found myself knee deep in quicksand, clinging to Brynne from an arm distance away. Other times I get unnatural surprises like a dismembered doll head staring back at me from the mud.
The TJRV is a natural demarcation of the most southwestern portion of the border between the United States and Mexico. The river crosses from Tijuana to Imperial Beach a little over 5 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. I have a deep appreciation for this southwest corner of the United States as it is home to a wide variety of migratory birds, including the least Bell’s vireo, and large raptors, like red-tailed hawks and northern harriers. Throughout the years I have got to know the charismatic road runner that lives on the bank of the river and the barn owl that nests in the willows. The orange and yellow nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.) flowers blanket the willow forest floor in the spring, and their sweet smell lingers in the humid riparian air. The array of wildlife and natural beauty in this area is endless if you can look past some of the less sightly views of the river valley.
I have spent countless days in the Tijuana River Valley conducting rare plant and nesting bird surveys, and monitoring maintenance crews as they remove sediment, debris and invasive plants from the channel. Cross-border contamination through the Tijuana River Valley has been on-going for decades and is a serious environmental issue. The flow of pollution is well documented by filmmakers and journalists, alike. Despite the origin, the cause, the blame, the politics, one thing is true: the river is loaded with debris. Debris is a widely defined term and I use the term in this way because you name it, and unfortunately it is in that river. I have seen bicycles, car doors, wooden beds, wheels, mirrors, tires, basketballs, radios, clothes, but most of all DOLLS! You can feel their tiny faces watching you from the mud and their long hair tangled in branches above tend to catch your eye as you hike through the forest.
At last, Brynne and I have a compilation of lurking dolls photos to share with you! Here are a few of my favorite faces from the field but you can see more on our Instagram @Balk_Biological_Inc.
Shelley Lawrence, Biologist