EarthSky
Can you hear a meteor as it streaks overhead? Some people have reported hearing meteors with a sizzling sound like bacon frying. Scientists now say you can, and explain how it happens.
Read article at Is it possible to hear meteors? | Space | EarthSky
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Can You Hear Meteors
California State Park News Release
California State Parks issued full or partial closures today for more than two dozen parks due to the ongoing wildfires burning across much of the state. Camping reservation holders impacted by the wildfires are being contacted with cancellation information. Some parks remain partially open but with limited services.
See full list of full and partial park closures at State Parks Issues Full, Partial Closures of Park Units Due to Ongoing Wildfires
Posted in Park | Tags: California State Parks Closures
Thinking of coming to Sequoia and Kings Canyon soon? Due to the fires throughout California, the air quality in these parks has been consistently rated as unhealthy for everyone over the last several weeks. Exposure can lead to health risks, especially for those in at-risk groups. Unfortunately, the air quality is unlikely to improve until the fires are contained. The first photo shows what the air looked like from Giant Forest webcam on 8/26. In the second photo you can compare a clear day and a day with poor air quality. Did you notice that current conditions are even worse than a typical bad visibility day?
If you plan on visiting, and wonder what current conditions are like, we recommend checking the air quality in real time through our online webcam located at Giant Forest: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/webcams.htm?site=seki
Posted in Park | Tags: Fires and Poor Air Quality, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Posted in Park | Tags: Point Reyes, Woodward Fire
Defenders of Wildlife Report
“The National Park Service is now overtly sanctioning the killing of defenseless bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens; the exact opposite of what most believe is ‘fair chase.’ This controversial practice is extreme and wholly inconsistent with the Park Service’s mission to conserve wildlife and wild places. We are suing to protect Alaska’s irreplaceable wildlife and hold the National Park Service accountable to their conservation mission.” – Jamie Rappaport Clark, our president and CEO. Read more: https://dfnd.us/31tydiv
Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: National Park Service, Park Service Sanctions
Photographed in the North Berkeley Flatlands on August 25, 2020 except for the Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillars, which were in my yard on August 26, 2020.
This is part of my continuing project, the “Stay at Home Photo Project”. It includes many street photos from Berkeley and Albany as well as photos from the UC Berkeley campus, my yard and neighbors’ yards You can see larger higher quality versions of many of the photos at Flickr in my collection Stay at Home Photo Project which includes the following albums
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
ScienceDaily reports
The mere sight of an indoor plant can reduce stress —
In modern society, stress reduction in the workplace is a pressing issue. While it has been commonly assumed that plant life is soothing to those required to regularly face stressful or mundane situations, this study scientifically verifies the degree of psychological and physiological impact induced by indoor plants.
Read full article Plants can improve your work life: The mere sight of an indoor plant can reduce stress — ScienceDaily
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Plants Reduce Work Stress
KTLA reports
A California wildfire has destroyed a sanctuary for the endangered California condor and the fates of several condors, including a chick, remain unknown.
Read story at Wildfire destroys California condor sanctuary in Big Sur | KTLA
Posted in Birds | Tags: Big Sur Fire, California condor sanctuary
Brown University reports
Analysis by assistant professor of environment and society and sociology at Brown found that press releases expressing opposition to climate action were twice as likely to receive news coverage as those supporting action.
Read article at Anti-climate action statements get more visibility in news coverage, study finds | Brown University
Posted in Environment | Tags: Press coverage of climate change
Photographed in the North Berkeley Flatlands on August 24, 2020.
This is part of my continuing project, the “Stay at Home Photo Project”. It includes many street photos from Berkeley and Albany as well as photos from the UC Berkeley campus, my yard and neighbors’ yards You can see larger higher quality versions of many of the photos at Flickr in my collection Stay at Home Photo Project which includes the following albums
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
Stay tuned—tomorrow, the 104th birthday of the NPS, Yosemite’s own Ranger Shelton Johnson will be speaking on a panel hosted by
on the under-representation of Black Americans in park visitation. Register here: https://joytripproject.com/anti-racism-in-our-national-parks-a-panel-discussion/
Posted in Park | Tags: Black In National Parks Week, Yosemite
Today is the National Parks 104th Birthday
Posted in Park | Tags: National Parks Birthday
A series Webinars offered by the Xerces Society provide the chance to learn and connect from wherever you are Including conservation for Monarchs and other insects, pollination, habitat creation, and gardening
Source: Xerces Society Webinars
Posted in Animals, Butterflies, Environment, Garden, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Gardening, Habitat Creation, Monarchs and other insects, Pollination
I recently watched a Zoom presentation, co-sponsored by the CNPS and the San Francisco Public Library, about Gardening for Butterflies and Pollinators in San Francisco. The SFPL will also be Zooming a presentation called Shade Gardening with California Native Plants September 26 at 1pm. They also had an earlier presentation on Edible Native Fruits and Vegetables of SF.They also sent out an outstanding list of resources for butterfly and pollinator gardening Native Plant Books Databases LinksHere are the links to videos:Gardening for SF’s Butterflies & Pollinators: https://youtu.be/G1o3wcZQ8I8Edible Native Plants: https://youtu.be/UB8Twvhu6HM
Reservations on Zoom required: https://bit.ly/CANativePlant9-26-20
Click read more to see Shade Garden presentation description
Posted in Garden | Tags: San Francisco Garden Resources, San Francisco Garden Videos
The Mercury News reports
The historic fire that roared through the ancient redwoods of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County, blackening all 18,000 acres of California’s oldest state park and destroying its historic buildings, has drawn international attention and prompted an outpouring of grief and concern.
But fire scientists who have carefully studied other coastal redwood forests after wildfires have surprisingly good news: Don’t worry. Even though they look terrible now, most of the trees will recover.
Read story at California fires: Burned redwoods will recover soon, experts say
The Press Democrat reports Flames yet to reach Armstrong Woods old-growth forest
The southern front of the Walbridge fire had not reached the old-growth redwood groves on the valley floor of the Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve above Guerneville, Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls said during a morning briefing on Monday.
Read story Flames yet to reach Armstrong Woods old-growth forest
UC Davis reports
Native Desert Plants Important to Indigenous Cultures Especially Vulnerable
With their tough skins, pointy armor and legendary stamina, cacti are made to defend themselves from whatever nature throws at them.
But large solar energy facilities are one threat that cacti weren’t built to withstand, according to a study by the University of California, Davis.
Read more atCacti and Other Iconic Desert Plants Threatened by Solar Development | UC Davis
Posted in Environment | Tags: Solar Facility Threats to Cactus
Photographed in the North Berkeley Flatlands and my yard on August 21 and 22, 2020. A special extra was seeing artist Clayton Anderson’s Chalk drawing of Black Lives Matter and a Golden Eagle
This is part of my continuing project, the “Stay at Home Photo Project”. It includes many street photos from Berkeley and Albany as well as photos from the UC Berkeley campus, my yard and neighbors’ yards You can see larger higher quality versions of many of the photos at Flickr in my collection Stay at Home Photo Project which includes the following albums
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Berkeley Street Photos, Flowers
K5 News reports
Scientists have discovered the first reproductive female wolverine in over 100 years.
Read story and watch video at WATCH: Wolverines return to Mount Rainier National Park | king5.com
Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: Mt. Rainier National Park, Wolverines
Due to the Woodward wildfire that started on Monday, August 17, Point Reyes National Seashore west of Highway 1 is closed to all visitors. Backpack and boat-in campgrounds are closed until further notice.
Posted in Park | Tags: Point Reyes National Seashore is closed
Posted in Park | Tags: Samuel P. Taylor State Park is closed.
From CornellLab of Ornithology
Become familiar with the diversity of shorebirds from plovers to peeps, and more! Get tips on the best ways to get started identifying them— for shorebirds it’s paying attention to shape, size, and behavior.
Whether you’re at home or out in the field, this helpful shorebird ID guide has full-color photos, ID tips, and a size reference chart. You can download, print out, and bring this guide with you, courtesy of Dr. Kevin McGowan and Bird Academy.
Get guide at Free Shorebird Guide
Posted in Birds | Tags: Fre Shorebird Guide
The New York Times reports
It’s high moth season, and drawing you out into the dark is one of the many ways moths can enrich your life, if you let them.
In all of North America, there are about 700 species of birds, and maybe 750 of butterflies. Moths number more than 11,000 species, with scientists regularly identifying more, particularly tiny micromoths.
Read story at The Pleasures of Moth-Watching- New York Times
Posted in Animals | Tags: Moth Watching
Some more photos from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley. It is a botanic garden of California native plants. The garden and park are temporarily closed due to fire danger. See yesterday’s post East Bay Regional Parks Closed Due to Extreme Fire Activity
You can see other photos from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden on the garden’s Flickr group page at Regional Parks Botanic Garden.
Fire updates are being made on the Marin County Fire Department Information Hotline at 415-473-7191. Updates can also be found on the Marin County Fire Department social media pages:
Posted in Park | Tags: pt reyes national seashore
Yosemite National Park reports
Air quality and visibility in Yosemite are being affected by several large fires elsewhere in California. If you’re visiting in the near future, check webcams for a current view: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.
Air quality in Yosemite Valley is currently moderate, meaning unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Air quality may worsen; you can track air quality near Yosemite Valley at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/current-data.htm?site=yose.
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite Air Quality
From the S.F. Chronicle:
A number of state parks located near the CZU August Lightning Complex are now closed until further notice.
• Big Basin Redwoods State Park
• Portola Redwoods State Park
• Butano State Park
• Rancho del Oso Unit
• Año Nuevo State Park
• Castle Rock State Park
• Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, including the Fall Creek Unit
Posted in Park | Tags: Fired Releated State Park Closures
Center for Biological Diversity News Release
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today approved the single-largest expansion ever of hunting and fishing in national wildlife refuges, including allowing bears, mountain lions and other top predators to be killed in more places.
The rule allows expanded hunting and fishing on 2.3 million acres, across 147 wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. It also revokes longstanding protections for predators in many of those areas.
Posted in Animals, Park | Tags: National Wildlife Refuges
Posted in Park | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks Closures
SF Gate reports
The evacuation zone for the CZU August Lightning Complex — named for the fires ignited by a rash of thunderstorms early this week — now encompasses all of California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods.
Read full story at California’s oldest state park now completely surrounded by fire zone – SFGate
Posted in Park | Tags: Big Basin State Park
Yesterday when we came home from the Regional Parks Botanic Garden we were pleasantly surprised to see a number of Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillars. We had observed Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies a number of times over the past months check out our California Pipevine plants and lay eggs. We had even seen the eggs and some caterpillars earlier in the summer, but they disappeared. We don’t know if they were taken by predators who had gone into hiding. Today we saw the largest number to date. There was even Pipevine flower still in bloom.
Natural History Wanderings 