The BBC reports
The world’s biggest iceberg is about to enter the open ocean.A68, a colossus that broke free from the Antarctic in 2017, has pushed so far north it is now at the limit of the continent’s perennial sea-ice.
Read article: World’s biggest iceberg makes a run for it – BBC News
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change, Icebergs
Marin CNPS reports
Arctostaphylos virgata – Bolinas manzanita, LIST 1B.2, along Sir Francis Drake Blvd., at Point Reyes last week.
Scoliopus bigelovii (fetid adder’s tongue) along Lucas Valley Road
Giant Trillium Just Starting Bloom, Lower Steep Ravine up from Hwy 1.
See photos and more reports at Marin Native Plants
Fetid Adder’s Tongue or Slinkpod Scoliopus Biglovii is my favorite early season wildflower. Yesterday I went out to look for it in Redwood Forests in Marin and once again enjoyed photographing it.
The name Bigelovii honors John Milton Bigelow, a surgeon and botanist from Ohio, who did a botanical collecting trip in Marin County in the spring of 1854 that made a significant contribution to the Marin flora. Scoliopus means crooked foot and refers to the curving stalk of the flower. When the plant first appears in the spring, the flower stalks stand up straight, holding the flower above the two leaves which are still quite small. After the flower has been pollinated, the fruit or seed pod begins to swell and the flower parts fall off. The weight of the growing pod causes the slender stalk to bend over and touch the ground, thus the common name “slink pod” The name “adder’s tongue”refers to the mottled leaves that have grown quite large after the flowers have fallen off and are visible for months. The “fetid” part of the name coming from the odor of the fresh flower which is thought to attract pollinators. (source for information was Marin CNPS)
Where to see Scoliopus bigelovii in Marin County: John Thomas Howell in Marin Flora lists Sausalito, Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais (Blithedale canyon, Cataract Gulch, Fish Grade), Bolinas Ridge, San Geronimo Ridge, and San Rafael Hills for Marin County locations. A beautiful place to see Scoliopus bigelovii here in Marin County is Muir Woods National Monument.Cascade Falls in Mill Valley is an easy place to see Scoliopus bigelovii. From downtown Mill Valley, take Throckmorton past the public library all the way to the end where it intersects Cascade. Turn right onto Cascade and watch for a small parking lot on the right with a wooden sign reading CASCADE FALLS. Source: Marin CNPS: Scoliopus bigelovii
To see other locations go the Calflora at http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Scoliopus+bigelovii
The BBC reports
Dozens of koalas have been found dead or injured at a timber plantation in the Australian state of Victoria, sparking an investigation by officials.
Blue gum trees – an important koala habitat – were harvested from the plantation in December, leaving only a few isolated stands of trees.
Some koalas had starved to death in the remaining trees. Others were apparently killed by bulldozers.
About 80 surviving koalas have been removed and are being cared for.
Read full story at Koalas found dead on Australia logging plantation – BBC News
The Revelator reports
An estimated 531 manatees died in Florida waters in the past 12 months. That’s a significant decrease from the number of deaths in 2018, when 824 manatees died, but it still represents a nearly 10% loss to their population in the state.
Read story at The Shocking Number of Florida Manatees Killed by Boats Last Year • The Revelator
Posted in Animals | Tags: Florida Manatees, Mantee Boat Deaths
Since the original post more information has surfaced. Read story at Sadness And Worry After 2 Men Connected To Butterfly Sanctuary Are Found Dead- NPR
The New York Times reported
The cause of death has not been determined, but criminal groups have often attacked environmentalists whose work impedes their interests.
The body of a Mexican conservationist devoted to the protection of the monarch butterfly in Mexico was found on Wednesday, two weeks after he went missing, the authorities said.
The conservationist, Homero Gómez González, managed a butterfly sanctuary in the state of Michoacán, a violence-ravaged region that is also the location of mountain forests where the butterflies settle every winter after a long and extraordinary migration from Canada and the United States.
Read story at Mexican Butterfly Conservationist Is Found Dead, Two Weeks After Vanishing
Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Butterfly Conservationis Found Dead, The conservationist
Henry Coe State Park has a new report for wildflowers currently in bloom. See what is currently flowering at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
California Wildflower Hikes published an article from a visit to Kangaroo Lake Botanical Special Interest Area in July. It includes plant lists, directions, hike description and map, and wildflower photos.
The Kangaroo Lake Botanical Special Interest Area has an amazing variety of wildflowers, and you’ll find them starting right at the trailhead. On this visit we found 57 different species of native wildflower, including 7 California endemics and 4 listed as rare by the California Native Plant Society. It’s off the beaten track, so you won’t find crowds – we saw only a couple of other hikers on a weekday in July.
Read article and see photos at Kangaroo Lake Botanical Special Interest Area
Some photos from what is blooming my garden right now.
The Coastal Silk Tassel/Garrya elliptica in our garden currently has 16 inch long flower tassels.
Correa ‘Ivory Bells’ – White Australian Fuchsia/Correa sp. is believed to be a cross between Correa alba and C. backhousiana It is believed to be a cross between Correa alba and C. backhousiana
Posted in Garden, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Garden Photos
Point Reyes National Seashore writes about why elephant seals have a large snout
The Snout With Clout!
Male elephant seals have what are known as secondary sexual traits or physical traits that appear in members of one sex and are not directly concerned with reproduction. In elephant seals, the secondary sexual traits are more about asserting dominance over other males than attracting a female mate. The trait they are probably most famous for is their large fleshy proboscis (their snout).But what is the function of this magnificent appendage?
Perhaps the size of the appendage is not a visual tool of intimidation, but an auditory one due to the sound it helps produce. The threat clap of the elephant seal is produced in the vocal chords, but it appears that the inflated chambers of the proboscis amplify the vocalization. What an elaborate way to say, “You don’t want to mess with me dude!”
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Want to learn more fun facts about elephant seals and see what’s new every week during their breeding season? Check out our weekly updates here: https://go.nps.gov/pore/EsealUpdate
Posted in Animals | Tags: elephant Seal Snouts
Yesterday I went birding at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. I did the five mile auto loop with a friend. We had a number of Bald Eagle sightings. Most abundant were the Snow Geese, White-fronted Geese, American Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks and Coots.
Click read more to see our list of species identified.
Posted in Birding Reports, Birds, Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
UC- Berkeley Botanical Garden
Every first Wednesday of the month at the Garden is free admission day.
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is free every day.
Posted in Garden, Park | Tags: Regional Parks Botanic Garden, UC-Berkeley Botanical Garden
Center for Biological Diversity News Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— The Trump administration proposed a rule today to allow indiscriminate killing of birds at industrial sites across the country, including oil and gas operations.
The rule, proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, codifies a legal opinion put in place in December 2017 by the solicitor of the Department of the Interior and former Koch Industries employee, Daniel Jorjoni. This opinion dictated that “incidental killing” of birds is no longer prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act — a policy that runs counter to decades of enforcement.
Posted in Birds | Tags: Federal Bird Killing Policy
At California State Parks we have many seasonal jobs available including…
Park Aides
Maintenance Aides
Environmental Services Interns
Seasonal Lifeguards
Forestry Aides
Seasonal Clerks
This is a great way to get your foot-in-the-door at California State Parks. Apply today!
Seasonal Openings: http://bit.ly/ParksSeasonalJobs
Questions? Contact us – we’re happy to help! Recruiting@parks.ca.gov
Henry Coe State Park has a new report for wildflowers currently in bloom. See what is currently flowering at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
Check the individual chapter websites for trip details and late postings.
Bristlecone (Mono, Inyo and NE Kern counties) http://bristleconecnps.org/index.php
East Bay CNPS http://www.ebcnps.org/
Marin CNPS http://www.marin.edu/cnps/
Cascadiing Creeks – Thursday, February 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Rain date, March 3)
Milo Baker (Sonoma county) http://www.cnpsmb.org/
Napa Valley http://www.napavalleycnps.org/
Santa Clara Valley http://www.cnps-scv.org/
Sat Feb 15 10am – 3pm Dirca – Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (Cupertino)
Sun Feb 23 10am-4pm Hazelnut Trail, Montara Mountain, San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica)
Yerba Buena (San Francisco/Northern San Mateo) http://www.cnps-yerbabuena.org/
February 1, SATURDAY 10am to 11:30 am Field Trip – Lobos Creek Valley, Presidio of San Francisco
February 22, 2020, SATURDAY 10 am – 12 noon Early Spring Walk on Bayview Hill
If you are interested in information on other chapters go to: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/chapters/
Posted in Walks & Hikes, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: CNPS Field Trips, Wildflower Walks
Fetid Adder’s Tongue and Redwood Sorrel are blooming at the park. They are precursors to spring! Fetid Adder’s Tongue, also known as slinkpod, is “ill smelling” and is pollinated by fungus gnats. It’s seeds are spread by native ants, which eat the top layer of the seed and in so doing, help plant the seed in the ground. The plant also has the ability to clone itself.
See photos and read more about the park at Samuel P. Taylor State Park – Home
The Fifteenth Annual Point Reyes National Seashore Fungus Fair
Sunday, February 2, 2020 10 am to 4 pm
Fungi Collecting on Saturday, February 1, 2020
Ever wonder about all those mushrooms you’ve seen in the grasslands and forests at Point Reyes National Seashore? The Fungus Fair is a perfect opportunity to see them up close and learn more about them.
Since 2005, fungi have been gathered by volunteers who collect, identify, and catalog mushrooms for an ongoing study at the Point Reyes National Seashore.
During the Fifteenth Annual Fungus Fair on Sunday, February 2, 2019, wild mushrooms collected at the park will be on display at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Visitors are invited to attend free lectures presented by area mycologists and to view hands-on informational displays about mushroom ecology, Death Cap Amanitas, edible and toxic species, and view fungi under a microscope. Local mycologists will be on hand to talk about fungi and their role in the environment.
For 2020, the following talks are scheduled:
Posted in Mushrooms | Tags: Pt. Reyes Fungus Fair
For information on trips go to Golden Gate Audubon Field Trips
For more Bay Area birding field trips through out the Bay Area click on the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society Calendar
Posted in Birds, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Bay Area Audubon Field Trips, Bay Area Birding Field Trips
Source: Bloom report out of the Anza-Borrego Desert
Things don’t look bad YET, for spring flowers, germination is good and wide spread.
The lack of recent rain, without predicted rain combined with higher temperatures, things are very uncertain.
This might force the plants to start blooming when they are still small.
This season doesn’t look like a Superbloom, maybe a normal or below average bloom.
The bad news, Sahara Mustard, London rocket and other bad plants are thriving, by the millions, in some places 100% of the plants are non native.
So even if the bloom might be OK, it could get drowned in a forest of non-native plants.
Additional info:
Tom Chester Anza-Borrego Desert Facebook Anza-Borrego Desert SP Bloom page ABDNHA Bloom page
January/26/2020 Coyote Canyon second to third crossing Tom Chester
Species in bloom: 63.
Registration for the Mono Lake Committee’s summer and fall 2020 Field Seminars will open on Saturday, February 1 at 9:00am for Mono Lake Committee members only.
If you are not a Committee member, but you wish to register in February, you may join the Committee and sign up for the class(es) of your choice. Non-members will be able to register beginning Sunday, March 1.
See the complete list of seminars at 2020 Field Seminars
Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: Mono Lake Field Seminars
Pt. Reyes reports
Mt Vision and McClures Beach Roads are now open! Our long-awaited repairs have been completed and these areas are once again accessible for your next adventure.
Read more in the S.F. Chronicle
Rainy storms in February 2019 wiped out chunks of the McClures Beach Trailhead Access Road, as well as Mt. Vision Road in Inverness, rendering them impassable to hikers and beach-goers. Although the access road and parking lot for Pierce Point Ranch was open, the road leading to the McClures Beach parking lot was off-limits.
Story continues at Point Reyes road, closed almost 1 year after washing away, reopens – SFGate
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Pt Reyes Road reopening
Xerces Society News Release
The Xerces Society today announced that the number of monarch butterflies overwintering in California remains at critical levels for the second year. The monarch population during the 2018–19 winter was an all-time low. Unfortunately, this year’s Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count numbers are no better.
The total number of monarchs counted this year was 29,418. Although this is 2,200 more than last year, it comes as a result of greater survey effort, with volunteers visiting more sites. There is no meaningful difference between the western monarch population this year and last.
In addition, in both years the population has been less than 30,000 butterflies, the threshold below which the migration may collapse.
Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Monarch Population at All-time Low
Feb. 2 is World Wetlands Day celebrating wetlands and biodiversity. To find events near you and more information about World Wetlands go to Home – WorldWetlandsDay
Comments Off on World Wetlands Day Feb. 2
Posted in Uncategorized
See the winning of Flickr’s 2019 Best Shot contest at Best Shot Contest Winners
Posted in Photography | Tags: Flickr's 2019 Best Shot contest, Photo Contest Winners
Anza-Borrego Foundation reports
2020’s wildflower bloom is just about to begin. We anticipate scattered blooms to appear throughout the Park in mid-February. Check back for more details and bloom locations.
Poppy Reserve/Mojave Desert Interpretive Association has a a January 11 Field Observation for Antelope Valley
Anza-Borrego Wildflowers Guide reports
The iOS update is now available, with close to 1000 plants found in the Anza-Borrego Desert and surrounding area.
https://borregowildflowers.com/pages/ios_app.html
The Guardian reports on how the successful rewilding of wolves helped correct the Yellowstone ecosystem
Twenty-five years ago this month, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, America’s first national park and an ecosystem dangerously out of whack owing to the extirpation of its top predator.
Read article at A rewilding triumph: wolves help to reverse Yellowstone degradation | Environment | The Guardian
Posted in Animals, Environment, Park, Uncategorized | Tags: Yellowstone reintroduction of Wolves
The San Francisco Chronicle report on the dighting of summer tanager in San Francisco
A brilliant red bird — the sort you’d expect to find in a tropical forest — has made an unusual appearance in San Francisco’s Glen Canyon Park.
Read more at Sighting of summer tanager in San Francisco draws urban bird-watchers – SFGate
Posted in Birds | Tags: San Francisco Rare Bird, Summer Tanager
Natural History Wanderings 