Natural History Wanderings | Sandy Steinman's Blog

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2026

Peak Autumn Color Has Arrived at UC Berkeley-Botanical Garden

from UC Berkeley-Botanical Garden

Fall has officially arrived at the Garden, bringing a vibrant display of yellow, crimson, and amber color throughout the collections. Stroll around the Japanese Pool or explore the deciduous woodlands of the Eastern North America Collection where you can glimpse views of the San Francisco Bay through the trees. Beyond the autumn foliage, there are always seasonal surprises around every corner, ensuring there is something new to discover no matter when you visit. Plan your visit today to catch the season’s ephemeral highlights!

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Posted in Fall Foliage, Garden | Tags: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2026

he 2027 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest is Open!

Every person sees this desert a little differently—the light across a favorite canyon, an unexpected wildlife encounter, a night beneath the stars, or one of those fleeting moments that makes you stop and remember why Anza-Borrego means so much to you.

Now we want to see the Park through your eyes.

Share the moments, places, and details that capture your connection to the Park and help others see what makes this extraordinary landscape so special.

Entries are accepted November 1–December 13, 2026.

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Posted in Photography | Tags: Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2026

What is Project Feederwatch?

from Cornell Lab and Birds Canada

Project FeederWatch turns your love of feeding birds into scientific discoveries. FeederWatch is a November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. While most people focus on birds coming to bird feeding stations, you don’t even need a feeder! All you need is an area from which you like to watch birds. Plus, the schedule is completely flexible: you can count every week or once all winter, for as much or as little time as you like. To join or learn more click below

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Posted in Birds | Tags: Proecte FeedwWatch

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 3, 2026

This tiny ‘goth’ bird was nearly extinct. Now it’s New Zealand’s Bird of the Year

CNN reported

Small, shy and clad head-to-claw in black, New Zealand’s karure, or black robin, has been crowned the country’s 2026 Bird of the Year.

The critically threatened bird is found only on the remote Chatham Islands, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of mainland New Zealand. The karure finished at the top of the pecking order with more than 25,000 votes, beating previous winners the kākāpō, a large flightless parrot, and the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon, into second and third place, respectively.

Read more This tiny ‘goth’ bird was nearly extinct. Now it’s New Zealand’s Bird of the Year

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Posted in Birds

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 2, 2026

Traveling trees: Jeffrey Pines at 12,657 feet?

The Revelator reported

Jeffrey pines shouldn’t be found 12,657 feet up a mountain — but that’s where they’ve turned up recently in California’s Sequoia National Park. And what does their arrival tell us about climate change, forest composition, and California’s fiery future?

Read more at How did they get there?

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Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Jeffrey Pines

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 1, 2026

Upcoming Events at East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden

See upcoming events at East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden at events.

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Posted in Garden, Park, Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks Upcoming Activities

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 1, 2026

Toxic algae outbreak poisons over 300 marine mammals in California this year

SF Gate reported

The Marine Mammal Center announced Wednesday it had documented more than 300 cases this year of domoic acid poisoning in marine mammals. The Sausalito-based organization, which covers 600 miles of California coastline, said it typically only sees 75 to 90 cases per year.

Read more at Toxic algae outbreak poisons over 300 marine mammals in California this year

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Posted in Animals | Tags: Toxic algae outbreak poisons over 300 marine mammals in California this year

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 1, 2026

Biologists fear the worst as Bay Area seabirds starve

SF Gate reported

The number of common murres washing ashore in critical condition has alarmed experts. These charcoal-and-white seabirds rarely come to land.

International Bird Rescue has taken in 162 of the penguin look-alikes from Northern California beaches this year, with a notable spike since August. Many are starving.

Read more at Biologists fear the worst as Bay Area seabirds starve

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Posted in Birds | Tags: common murres

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 31, 2026

South Park Drive in Tilden to close for 5 months to protect newts

Berkeleyside reported

The closure, which has been done during the newts’ seasonal migration since the 1980s, allows the salamanders to seek out the higher air moisture levels they favor for breeding.

From Nov. 1 through March 31, South Park Drive will be closed to all automotive traffic, and cyclists are asked to proceed slowly and keep an eye out for the little beady-eyed creatures, which usually run 5 to 6 inches long. Dogs should be kept away from the amphibians as California newts are poisonous to pets. Drivers can use the alternative routes of Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Wildcat Canyon Road and Central Park Drive during the five-month closure.

Read more at South Park Drive in Tilden to close for 5 months to protect newts

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Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: South Park DRive Road Closure, Tilden Park Road Closure

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 31, 2026

The secret to growing food on Mars could be fungi

ScienceDaily reported

Scientists think beneficial fungi could help transform nutrient-poor lunar and Martian regolith into a material capable of supporting crops. By helping plants access nutrients and withstand harsh conditions, these microbes could someday make self-sustaining space farming more realistic.

— Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260924020400.htm

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Posted in Mushrooms, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: growing plants on Mars

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 30, 2026

Three-Legged Persian Leopard’s 150-Mile Trek Highlights Survival in Minefield-Scarred Caucasus – EnviroLink Network

EnviroLink reported

Sightings of the endangered Persian leopard in the Caucasus have been rare over the past 20 years — just three in Georgia and 10 in Armenia. But one leopard in particular has caught the attention of scientists and conservationists. Named Aren, the leopard is presumed to have traveled 240 kilometers (150 miles) through cold, mountainous terrain on only three legs. The region, which spans southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, still contains decades-old minefields left from past conflicts, and it’s believed this is how Aren lost the use of one leg.

Read on www.envirolink.org/2026/10/28/three-legged-persian-leopards-150-mile-trek-highlights-survival-in-minefield-scarred-caucasus/

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Posted in Animals | Tags: Leopards

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 30, 2026

Reintroduced Grauer’s gorilla gives birth in DRC national park,

Monga Bay reported

Lulingu, a Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei), was reintroduced to Virunga National Park, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024. In May 2026, Lulingu gave birth to a new baby, bringing hope for the species and excitement for the conservationists working there.

Read more at Reintroduced Grauer’s gorilla gives birth in DRC national park, ‘makes us happy’

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Posted in Animals | Tags: emocratic Republic of Congo, Gorilla beringei, Grauer’s gorilla, Virunga National Park

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 29, 2026

Hundreds of birders descend on tiny Calif. coastal community for ‘mega rarity’

SF Gate reported on the sighting of a rare yellow-browed warbler in Moss Beach, California. The bird, which is native to Siberia, was spotted by Marty Freeland, a Stanford University senior who studies ornithology. The sighting attracted hundreds of birders from across the country, who came to see the rare bird in its natural habitat.

Read story and see photo at Hundreds of birders descend on tiny Calif. coastal community for ‘mega rarity’

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Posted in Birds | Tags: Rare bird sighting, Yellow-browed warbler

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 29, 2026

Aspen trees remember drought and strengthen their defenses a year later

Earth.com reported

Aspen trees respond to past droughts by increasing their chemical defenses against insects, revealing a surprising form of environmental memory.

The leaves a quaking aspen grows the year after a drought carry about a tenth more of the compounds that keep insects from eating them. Those leaves never saw a dry day.

Read more at Aspen trees remember drought and strengthen their defenses a year later

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 29, 2026

Don’t toss cannabis leaves: They may contain rare compounds with medical potential | ScienceDaily

ScienceDaily reported

Scientists discovered rare flavoalkaloids in Cannabis leaves for the first time, along with dozens of other phenolic compounds that had never been reported in the plant. The findings suggest that Cannabis leaves, often discarded as waste, may contain a surprisingly rich source of potentially useful chemicals.

— Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260924231711.htm

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Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Cannabis

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 28, 2026

Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events

Theodore Payne Foundation inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.We are located on 22 acres of canyon land in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley. Our full-service native plant nursery, seed room, book store, art gallery, demonstration gardens, and hiking trails are open to the public year round. We offer garden tours and classes for adults and families, as well as field trips to TPF and in-classroom programs for children. Friendly on-leash dogs are welcome and there is no admission charge!

See upcoming events at Theodore Payne Foundation Events – Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

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Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 28, 2026

Near Arches National Park, a new dinosaur species emerges from the ground

SF Gate reported

Fossils representing at least 4 dinosaur groups were discovered at the Ironstone Bonebed

Earlier this month, paleontologists with the Utah Geological Survey broke ground on a new excavation site in the Utah desert just outside Arches National Park. The land, newly dubbed the Ironstone Bonebed in homage to the rust-red hue of its rocks, sits in an area rife with dinosaur history, and already, it has offered up its first exciting find: a seemingly new species of armored dinosaur.

Read more at Near Arches National Park, a new dinosaur species emerges from the ground

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Posted in Animals | Tags: Arches National Park, Dinosaurs, Ironstone Bonebed

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 28, 2026

River otters make comeback at Bay Area ranch for first time in over 100 years

SF Gate reported on

River otters, once nearly wiped out by the fur trade, have been spotted at Cloverdale Ranch Open Space Preserve for the first time in over 100 years. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem with clean water and abundant food sources, such as coho salmon and steelhead trout. This sighting is a positive sign of the species’ recovery and the preservation of their historic range.

Read more at River otters make comeback at Bay Area ranch for first time in over 100 yea

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: River Otters

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 27, 2026

Photos from Regional Parks Botanic Garden October 27, 2026

Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on October 27, 2026.

The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a California native plant garden. It is located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California, It is a 10-acre garden includes many of the state’s rare and endangered plants and a place for visitors to wander among trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses from plant communities throughout the state. There are free weekend and holiday tours. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the garden visit the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

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Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Regional Park Botanic Garden, Tilden Botanic Garden

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 27, 2026

2026 Natural Landscape Photographer of the Year

See the photos of the winners of the 2026 Natural Landscape Photographer of the Year at https://naturallandscapeawards.com/2026-competition-results-gallery/

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Posted in Photography | Tags: Natural Landscape Photographer of the Year

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 26, 2026

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Events

See a list of all active events and virtual events of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Events in the Parks | Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

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Posted in Park, Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 26, 2026

Anza-Borrego Foundation Upcoming Events

Anza-Borrego Foundation hosts a variety of events and educational programs, including hikes, botany walks, photography workshops, and more. See the schedule at Events | Anza-Borrego Foundation

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Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Anza-Borrego Foundation Events

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 26, 2026

An Unexpected Threat to Aquatic Life in San Francisco Bay? Our Pets.

from Bay Nature

Pesticides used in common over-the-counter topical tick and flea treatments have been found in Bay Area wastewater effluent at levels that are toxic to aquatic organisms. Free Read »

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Posted in Animals | Tags: Pesticides

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 25, 2026

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association Upcoming Events

See upcoming events calendar of hikes and programs at https://www.abdnha.org/calendar1.htm.

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Posted in Astronomy, Desert, Park, Talks, Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association Events

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 25, 2026

Top Videos of Nikon’s Small Work in Motion

See the top 5 Winning Videos of Nikon’s Small Work in Motion competition 2026 on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8rQR5tWlL0

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Posted in Animals

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 24, 2026

Bird Flu Detected at Crown Memorial State Beach | East Bay Regional Park District

East Bay Regional Parks reported

Canada geese collected on Oct. 8 and 12 by Alameda County Vector Control at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.

Read on www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/bird-flu-detected-crown-memorial-state-beach

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Posted in Birds, Park | Tags: Bird Flu, Crown Memorial Beach, East Bay Regional Park District

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 24, 2026

Great Lake Fish that live the longest

Read about the Great Lake Fish that live the longest.

It lincludes

Lake Sturgeon: 150+ Years
Bigmouth Buffalo: 148 Years
Freshwater Drum: 71 Years
Lake Trout: Up To 70 Years
Common Carp: Up To 64 Years
Quillback: 52 Years

and more at https://www.worldatlas.com/lakes/the-great-lakes-fish-that-live-longest.html

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Posted in Animals | Tags: Great Lake Fish that live the longest

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 23, 2026

Photos from Regional Parks Botanic Garden October 22, 2026

Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on October 22, 2026.

The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a California native plant garden. It is located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California, It is a 10-acre garden includes many of the state’s rare and endangered plants and a place for visitors to wander among trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses from plant communities throughout the state. There are free weekend and holiday tours. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the garden visit the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Regional Park Botanic Garden, Tilden Botanic Garden

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 23, 2026

Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events

Theodore Payne Foundation inspires and educates Southern Californians about the beauty and ecological benefits of California native plant landscapes.We are located on 22 acres of canyon land in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley. Our full-service native plant nursery, seed room, book store, art gallery, demonstration gardens, and hiking trails are open to the public year round. We offer garden tours and classes for adults and families, as well as field trips to TPF and in-classroom programs for children. Friendly on-leash dogs are welcome and there is no admission charge!

See upcoming events at Theodore Payne Foundation Events – Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

Leave a Comment

Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: Theodore Payne Foundation Upcoming Events

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | October 23, 2026

Yosemite National Park’s bears are having a terrible year

SF Gate reported

If you visited Yosemite National Park this month, and stayed for at least three days, it is likely that a bear got hit by a motorist during your visit. Since Oct. 1, seven black bears have been struck by vehicles in the park, and four of those collisions were fatal for the animals, National Park Service spokesperson Rebecca Roland told SFGATE by email on Thursday.

Those strikes were on top of 26 that took place from January through September. At 33 bear collisions for 2026 so far, Yosemite has reached a 10-year high, according to National Park Service data, with more than two months left in the year. Conservationists say they are troubled, but not shocked, by the uptick.

Read more at Yosemite National Park’s bears are having a terrible year

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Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: Yosemite Bear Collisions

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