Photos of Mushrooms from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA taken on November 15, 2-25.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 18, 2025
Mushrooms in the Garden
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Mushrooms, Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Botanic Garden
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 18, 2025
These parrots came to Los Angeles as pets – then went wild
The Guardian reported
Once escapees from the pet trade, Los Angeles’s feral parrots have become a vibrant part of city life, and could even aid conservation in their native homelands
Read more These parrots came to Los Angeles as pets – then went wild
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 18, 2025
Upcoming Bay Nature Events
See the schedule of upcoming Bay Nature Events mailchi.mp/baynature/march-11
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Nature Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 18, 2025
Scientists capture stunning photos of a massive prehistoric fish species thought to be extinct for 70 million years
Stevetonksgardendesign reported
A fish believed gone for 70 million years just stared down a camera in the dark. The photos, taken far below the Indian Ocean’s surface, are forcing a candid rethink of extinction, survival — and how much of the planet still hides in plain sight.
Posted in Animals
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2025
Good Fire: Tending Native Lands now on view at Oakland Museum of California
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Posted in Environment | Tags: Good Fire, Oakland museum
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2025
Last week, reports of graffiti surfaced in Arches National Park, which remained open during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history with a skeleton staff and reduced services.
SF Gate reported
On Nov. 12, SFGATE visited the park to document the incidents and found a dozen examples painted on and carved into the park’s famed red rocks.
Last week, reports of graffiti surfaced in Arches National Park, which remained open during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history with a skeleton staff and reduced services.
Posted in Park | Tags: Arches National Park, Vandalism in National Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2025
Hidden water world inside trees helps forests survive droughts – Earth.com
Earth.com reported
Scientists reveal how tree water traits – like storage, flow, and control – shape forest survival as Europe faces longer, harsher droughts.
Read on www.earth.com/news/hidden-water-world-inside-trees-helps-forests-survive-droughts/
Posted in Environment | Tags: Tree Strategies Dealing With Drought
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2025
France’s largest rewilding project takes root in the Dauphiné Alps
Monga Bay reported
The nonprofit Rewilding Europe announced its 11th project this summer in the Dauphiné Alps, a forested mountain range in southeastern France where wild horses, bison and lynx thrived more than 200 years ago.
Rewilding is a restoration concept that reintroduces historically present species to a landscape with minimal other human intervention.
Read on news.mongabay.com/2025/11/frances-largest-rewilding-project-takes-root-in-the-dauphine-alps/
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2025
With Upgraded Transmitters, We Can Now Track Migrating Monarchs Better Than Ever
Xerces Society reported
Read more With Upgraded Transmitters, We Can Now Track Migrating Monarchs Better than Ever | Xerces SocietyA new radiotelemetry transmitter, called the Blu+, is revolutionizing how scientists can track migrating monarchs this fall.
The Blu+ transmitter, developed by Cellular Tracking Technologies and Cape May Point Arts & Science Center (CMPASC), weighs just 0.06g and can be attached to monarch butterflies.
Previous monarch tags could only be detected by specialized receivers. The new Blu+ tags can be detected much more easily, because they are integrated into a network of cellular-connected devices. Now there is potential to get hundreds or even thousands of detections per tag, giving us a much better picture of the route each monarch takes on its journey.
Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Monarch Butterfly Monitoring
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2025
Before plants or animals, fungi conquered Earth’s surface
ScienceDaily reported
Fungi’s evolutionary roots stretch far deeper than once believed — up to 1.4 billion years ago, long before plants or animals appeared. Using advanced molecular dating and gene transfer analysis, researchers reconstructed fungi’s ancient lineage, revealing they were crucial in shaping Earth’s first soils and ecosystems.
Rea more Before plants or animals, fungi conquered Earth’s surface | ScienceDaily
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 16, 2025
Job Opening: Natural Resource Specialist
Natural Resource Specialist, San Francisco Peninsula Region. For information on the position and to apply go to
Natural Resource Specialist, San Francisco Peninsula Region – CNPS Forums
Posted in Job Openings | Tags: Job Opening
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 16, 2025
Yellowstone visitors stunned as man seemingly provokes wolf pack
SF Gate reported
A man approached and seemingly pepper-sprayed a wolf last month, according to a video posted in a Facebook group
A man approached and seemingly pepper-sprayed a wolf last month, according to a video posted in a Facebook group
Read more Yellowstone visitors stunned as man seemingly provokes wolf pack
Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: Bad Behavior in the National Parks, Wolves, Yellowstone
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 16, 2025
Death Valley Road Closures Due Rain
Road Closure Alerts*
Rainfall on 11/15 brought 0.6 inches of rain to Furnace Creek—about one-quarter of the park’s average annual rainfall! Additional rain is forecasted over the next several days.
The park’s rocky, steep terrain causes water to run off quickly, creating fast-moving flows of mud, rocks and debris. These floods have covered some roads and have eroded road shoulders, making travel hazardous.
Roads currently closed due to storm damage:Posted in Desert, Drives, Garden, Park | Tags: Death Valley Road Closures
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 16, 2025
The great escape: seal flees killer whales by jumping on to photographer’s boat | Wildlife | The Guardian
The Guardian
A wildlife photographer on a whale-watching trip in waters off Seattle captured dramatic video and photos of a pod of killer whales hunting a seal that survived only by clambering on to the stern of her boat.
See video and photose at www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/13/seal-killer-whale-hunt
Posted in Animals, Photography | Tags: Seals, Whales
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 16, 2025
111,000 Spiders Living in a Giant Subterranean Web
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 15, 2025
Bay Area county sees more than 351K birds killed by bird flu
SF Gate reported
Bird flu cases are on the rise in Sonoma County after three farms tested positive for the deadly virus beginning in late October, according to recent data from the U.S. Agriculture Department.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, a deadly strain of bird flu, was detected by the USDA in three Sonoma County poultry farms on Oct. 27, Oct. 28 and Nov. 5. The unnamed farms had a collective 351,700 birds killed, according to data gathered by the agency.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 15, 2025
Photos from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden 11/12/25
Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on November 12, 2025.
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.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 15, 2025
Winter Access Update for Lassen Volcanic National Park
From Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen National Park Highway is now closed to through traffic for the winter/spring snow season after recent storms brought heavy snow and ice to the high elevations.
The park remains open! Winter is a beautiful time to visit — just be prepared for limited vehicle access:
• Open to vehicles ten miles from the northwest entrance (to Devastated Area)
• Open to vehicles one mile from the southwest entrance (to Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center)
• Roads to Juniper Lake and Warner Valley are closed to vehicles
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Lassen National Park Winter Update
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 15, 2025
Pack Fire updates
See updates on this Pack Fire in the eastern Sierra by McGee Creek from CAL FIRE at www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/11/13/pack-fire
Posted in Environment | Tags: McGee Creek, Pack Fire
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 15, 2025
For the first time in human history, Calif. glaciers are disappearing
SF Gate reported
A new study shows that California glaciers are thousands of years older than previously thought — and they’re melting faster than ever.
Read on www.sfgate.com/california/article/california-ancient-glaciers-melting-climate-change-21081538.php
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change, Glacier Melt
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2025
Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks November 17
from EarthSky
The Leonid meteor shower is back! Leonid meteors are already flying. The peak is on the morning of November 17. You might also try watching on the morning of November 18. Learn when, where, and how to see the 2025 Leonids at their best in this video, which first aired on Wednesday, November 12. EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd, Marcy Curran and John Goss explain it all, and tell you why the Leonids are one of the most famous meteor showers of the year. Whether you’re a seasoned skywatcher or heading out for your first meteor shower, we’ll help you make the most of it. Peak nights: Around November 16–18, 2025. Best viewing: After midnight, under a dark sky. Watch in the player above, or on YouTube.
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Leonid Meteor
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2025
Anza-Borrego Foundation 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
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Anza-Borrego Foundation Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2025
2026 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest is Now Open!
2026 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest is Now Open!Submit your best shots before December 10. Entries accepted November 1 – December 10. Every photograph tells a story of resilience, light, and life in the desert. From the first bloom after winter rain to the watchful eyes of a bighorn at dawn, these fleeting moments remind us why Anza-Borrego is unlike any other place on Earth. Grand Prize: A two-night stay at La Casa Del Zorro, dinner for two at Ram’s Hill, and an ABF program for two (some restrictions apply).
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Posted in Photography | Tags: Anza-Borrego Desert Photo
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2025
US 395 closed near Crowley Lake due to Pack Fire.
US 395 closed near Crowley Lake due to Pack Fire.
A detour is available for those already in route. Please avoid the area.
For real-time information, please follow: Caltrans District 9 and Mono County Sheriff’s Office.
Additional information on the fire is available at https://ready.mono.ca.gov/
Posted in Drives | Tags: McGee Creek Canyon, Pack Fire
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2025
A Carnivorous ‘Death Ball’ Has Emerged from the Deep
Popular Mechanics reported
This newly-discovered species is being called the “death-ball sponge” for its appendages. These appendages end in orbs. They are covered in micro-hooks meant to capture prey.
Read more A Carnivorous ‘Death Ball’ Has Emerged from the Deep
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 13, 2025
Whale experts make new discovery off North American coast
Discover Wildlife reported
New research has revealed that West Coast transient killer whales are two distinct communities. They are found from south-eastern Alaska to southern California. These communities rarely encounter each other.
Read article at https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/marine-animals/west-coast-transient-killer-whale-subpopulations
Posted in Animals | Tags: West Coast transient killer whales
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 13, 2025
A 200-year experiment: If a tree falls in a forest, does it really die?
Lookout Eugene-Springfield reports
For 40 years, scientist Mark Harmon has been studying how dead trees in Oregon’s forests beget life. But as he hands off his work to a new generation, federal funding for long-term scientific research has grown uncertain.
“Someone really screwed up when they called them dead trees,” he said. “It’s just a different form of life that’s taken over.”
Read story at A 200-year experiment: If a tree falls in a forest, does it really die? – Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Posted in Environment, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Dead trees
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 12, 2025
Amazing aurora photos capture the ‘sky on fire’ last night
From EarthSky
Amazing aurora photos capture the ‘sky on fire’ last night
See photos at earthsky.org/todays-image/aurora-photos-from-our-community-nov-2025/
Posted in Astronomy, Photography | Tags: Aurora Photos, Northern Lights
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 12, 2025
What is an Unbrella Species
From Defenders of Wildlife
Can one species protect a whole ecosystem? In a way, yes!
Some species, like the northern spotted owl, are known as “umbrella” species 
meaning the habitat that supports them also supports hundreds of other plants and animals. When we look after these owls and other umbrella species, we look after whole ecosystems!
meaning the habitat that supports them also supports hundreds of other plants and animals. When we look after these owls and other umbrella species, we look after whole ecosystems!Posted in Animals | Tags: Umbrella Species
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 12, 2025
Decades-old photosynthesis mystery finally solved
ScienceDaily reported
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Caltech have finally solved a decades-old mystery about how photosynthesis really begins. They discovered why energy inside plants flows down only one of two possible routes — a design that lets nature move sunlight with astonishing precision. Using advanced computer simulations, the researchers showed that one branch has a much higher energy barrier, blocking electrons from moving freely.
Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054624.htm
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Photosynthesis
Natural History Wanderings 