submitted by Timothy Boomer
Sugarstick, Pacific coralroot, and many more flowers are blooming in Sonoma county. Directions, photos, and general musings about non-photosynthesizing plants may be found at wildmacro.com/blog
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 16, 2018
Sonoma County Wildflowers 5/15/18
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 16, 2018
Hungry Valley Wildflowers 4/20/19
Hungry Valley OHV has a new wildflower report for 4/20/19
With the warmer spring weather, we’re seeing continued bloom in many of the wildflower species, but also some drying and fading out in others. We look forward to seeing the late spring blooming flower varieties in May and early June.
The hillside near the north entrance has wild parsley and pygmy lupine showing their lacy flowers, and baby blue eyes continue to bloom along Spaghetti Pass. There is a turnout where Gorman Trail starts if you want to stop and admire the display of baby blues eyes on the other side of Gold Hill Road. There are also baby blue eyes among the grasses along Stipa Trail in the grasslands.
The park has yellow hillsides of coreopsis and goldfields on both sides of the valley. Poppies are scattered throughout the park, with a large display of poppies and coreopsis blooming along Powerline Road east of Saltlick Trail. There is also a solid patch of poppies showing on the hillside west of the Freeman Canyon Trail off of Hungry Valley Road.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 16, 2018
Rise in Tailless Whales off California Has Scientists Concerned
National Geographic reports
Experts say that entanglement in fishing gear and other objects is a likely cause for the gruesome injuries.
When the marine mammals feed in areas with lots of fishing gear, debris, and other human-made objects, ropes and nets can get stuck at the base of their tail, gradually sawing off the fluke or cutting off blood circulation until it withers away.
And the prognosis for these entangled whales is not good: “The majority of them—if not all of them—are going to most likely die from these injuries,” says Justin Viezbecke, California stranding network coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Read full story at Rise in Tailless Whales off California Has Scientists Concerned
Posted in Animals | Tags: Tailless Whales
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2018
Yosemite Photos and Wildflowers May 11 to 15
I just spent four days at Yosemite for a wedding. Between events I managed to do some wildflower exploring. Most flowers are between 4000 and 6000 feet Dogwoods are in bloom in many parts of the park. They are just past peak at the lower elevations but still coming out at higher ones. The most species were seen at the Wawona Loop Trail. There are also a good number of species including Calochortus minimus. There is a fair amount of Blue Lupines on highway 120 and highway 41 in the park. There were also several patches of the colorful Harlequin Lupine between Cinquapin and the Valley on Highway 41. Crane Flat had very little as it was too early there.
Here is a slideshow of some of the flowers as well as a few animal shots and landscapes.
click read more to see plant lists
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2018
Wildflowers Around California 5/14/18
Botanical Wanderings – California has new posts and photos for
- Sequoia National Park
- Pine Flat Road, Mayacamas Mts. Sonoma Co , CA
- Calaveras County wildflowers 4,000-5,000′ elevation
- Glendora Ridge Rd, Los Angeles County at around 4,000 ft.
- Foothills of Ojai
- Sunol, Alameda County
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2018
Plumas County Wildflowers 5/12/18
Wildflowers in Plumas County, CA reports
Wildflowers starting in Sierra Valley. Balsam root and Larkspur. Check them out at Sierra Valley Preserve off of A24 (Maddalena turn into corral on right or west side)
See photos at https://www.facebook.com/FeatherRiverWildflowers/?fref=ts
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2018
Kruze Rhododendron Reserve 5/12/18
Calphoto has the following report for Kruse Rhododendron Natural Reserve.
Too early for Rhododendrons at Kruse – just a few blooming. Lots of Coralroot orchids, though. Three different species (C. maculata, C. mertensiana, C. striata), and a few remaining Calypso orchids, along with other forest flowers. Along the shoreline bluffs at Salt Point there were many flowers, hunkering down in the wind. A nice cluster of Calochortus tolmiei, large numbers of Brodiaea, expanses of Goldfields, and a very large patch of Yellowbeak owl’s clover (Triphysaria versicolor ssp. versicolor), which is an odd name since it is mostly white with a little pink. A great time to visit this area.
I also found a patch of Coast lily (Lilium maritimum), which is a CNPS 1B.1 rare plant. See my photo in Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaWildflowerHikes/photos/a.380851151978324.91817.370068813056558/1895494673847290/
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 15, 2018
Trump World
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change, Environment, Global warming
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 14, 2018
Homestead Valley Land Trust Wildflowers 5/14/18
Homestead Valley Land Trust has a new report for May 14. See map and photos at Homestead Valley Land Trust
NEW
– Buckeye trees are starting to open their long cluster flowers. Upper Laverne is lined with them and will be a tunnel of flowers soon.
– California everlasting with its white paper-like flowers blooms in meadows.
– Ithuriel’s spear with its rich blue bell flowers is blooming in meadows.
– Meadow rue has small pink fringe flowers and delicate foliage.
– Ookow has large purple flower clusters and is blooming below Amaranth.
– Purple woodsorrel, native of South Africa, blooms with a magenta flowers.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 14, 2018
Henry Coe Wildflower Update 5/14/18
Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for May 14, 2018 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 14, 2018
Oregon Wildflowers 5/12/2018
Oregon Wildflowers has a new report for Rowena Plateau
Balsamroot, fiddleneck, western buttercup, penstemon, vetch, bachelor button, western wall flower, lupine, Oregon sunshine.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 14, 2018
How Flowers Trick Pollinators
ScienceDaily reports
An unusually cunning imitation strategy has recently been discovered in the plant kingdom. A twiner native to southern Africa, the parachute flower has a particularly cunning strategy for attracting flies for pollination. Its way of ensuring pollination is a complicated ploy involving fraud and imprisonment.
Read article at Deceptive flowers, duping insects: How parachute flowers lure their pollinators into a trap
Posted in Animals, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: How flowers trick pollinators, Pollination
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 13, 2018
How Sunflowers Follow The Sun
ScienceDaily reports
Plant biologists have discovered how sunflowers use their internal circadian clock, acting on growth hormones, to follow the sun during the day as they grow. Following the sun allows the plants to grow faster and put on more biomass.
Read story at : Sunflowers move by the clock — ScienceDaily
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: sunflowers, Sunflowers Follow The Sun
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 12, 2018
Female Birds Call Shots In Divorce
ScienceDaily reports
Research is shedding new light on the causes of divorce in monogamous year-round territorial birds. A new study of the endangered Purple-crowned Fairy-wren has discovered the females are calling the shots when it comes to breaking up.
Read full article at Female birds call the shots in divorce
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bird Behavior, Female Birds Call Shots In Divorce
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2018
Southern California Wildflower Summary 5/11/18
Theodore Payne has posted a new report today with photos for Southern California. See a pdf of the full report at Theodore Payne.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 11, 2018
The Amazing Metabolism of Hummingbirds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2018
2018 Migratory Bird Day May 12 & Oct 13
Bird Watching Daily reports
“Unifying our Voices for Bird Conservation” is the theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2018. This year, the campaign will have a new global dimension, bringing together the world’s main migration corridors, also called flyways, for celebrations all across the world — and for the first time, with two peak campaign days in the year.
As birds migrate during different seasons throughout the year, World Migratory Bird Day will be observed on both the second Saturdays of May and October, making it possible for individuals and organizations to present educational activities and awareness-raising events in their countries at the time of migration.
Many World Migratory Bird Day celebrations in the U.S. and Canada will be held on Saturday, May 12. Click here to find events near you.
Read full article at Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day this Saturday – BirdWatching
Posted in Birds | Tags: Migratory Bird Day
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2018
Wildflowers Around California-updated 5/10/18
Botanical Wandering – California has new reports and photos
- Calaveras County – Wildflowers along the San Domingo section of the Arnold Rim Trail.
- Wildflowers along the San Domingo section of the Arnold Rim Trail.
- Cholla (Cylindropuntia prolifera) in the Sweetwater River Valley. San Diego County
- Strawberry Creek and “The Hub” west of Idyllwild.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2018
Plumas County Wildflowers 5/9/18
Wildflowers in Plumas County, CA
has photos for flowers in bloom at Oakland Camp and hike around Snake Lake.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 10, 2018
New Spider Family Tree Tries To Untangle the Evolution of Webs
The New York Times reports on a a new understanding of the evolution of spiders and the spider family tree
Scientists have fiercely debated the origins of the orb-style web. A new study challenges the idea that all spiders who make this web had a common ancestor.
Read story atA New Spider Family Tree Tries to Untangle the Evolution of Webs – The New York Times
Posted in Animals | Tags: Spider Evolution
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 9, 2018
Henry Coe Wildflower Update 5/9/18
Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report for May 9, 2018 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 9, 2018
Defeat the Anti-Environmental Farm Bill
from the Sierra Club
Take Action Against Destructive Farm Bill
It’s hard to exaggerate how brazenly anti-environmental the farm bill now wending its way through the U.S. House of Representatives truly is. Let’s see… it exempts pesticides from the Endangered Species and Clean Water Acts. It boosts logging, removes environmental reviews, and makes it easier to build roads in national forests. It undermines sustainable agriculture, makes it tougher for people to qualify for nutrition assistance, and tips the scales toward corporate interests and away from small farmers. Get the picture? The bill is likely to come up for a full House vote this month.
To oppose bill click on Urge your representative to oppose the farm bill.
The House is going after endangered species, clean water, national forests, organic food…and more!
Posted in Environment | Tags: Anti-Environmental Farm Bill
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 9, 2018
Wildflowers of Garden Bar Preserve – BYLT Trek on May 12
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 9, 2018
Yosemite Half Dome Cables Will Be Up 5/9/18
Yosemite National Park News Release
Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will be in Place for Visitors on May 11, 2018 Daily lottery for permits will open Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Date: May 8, 2018 The Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park will be in place for visitor use this Friday, May 11, 2018. The trail will be wet and icy in places and visitors planning to ascend Half Dome are encouraged to be prepared for wet and cool hiking conditions.
There is a daily lottery for a limited number of permits which are required to ascend the Half Dome Cables. This lottery opens Wednesday, May 9, 2018 for the summer season. These permits are available online through the daily lottery operated by www.recreation.gov. To apply for a daily lottery permit, applications are accepted from 12:01 am to 1:00 pm two days in advance of the intended hiking date. Lottery applicants may request up to six permits.
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Half Dome Cables, Yosemite National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 9, 2018
How Birds Lost Their Teeth & Got Beaks?
NPR reports
Scientists are one step closer to understanding how modern birds evolved to have beaks, and the answer starts millions of years ago with some of the sexiest dinosaurs.
Read story at How Did Birds Lose Their Teeth And Get Their Beaks? Study Offers Clues : The Two-Way : NPR
Posted in Birds | Tags: How Birds Got Beaks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 8, 2018
Wildflowers Around California 5/8/18 -updated
Botanical Wandering – California has new reports with photos
- Blue Cut Fire area. Lytle Creek, Cajon Pass, Wrightwood area. Lots of dirt Canyon Roads to explore. Sunday 5/6/18.
- Yesterday on the Modin Mayacamas, a Preserve of AudubonCanyonRanch in the mountains of n.e. SonomaCounty near Healdsburg, Geyserville
- Lytle Creek Recreation Area. Remember the Blue Cut Fire 2 years ago in Cajon Pass I-15. Sat 5/5/18
- Pioneertown Mountains Preserve in Yucca Valley
- Indian Paintbrush (two species), baby blue eyes, and lupine are in peak bloom on Glendora Ridge Rd, Los Angeles County at around 4,000 ft.
Marin CNPS has reports and photos for
- Yolanda Trail
- Saturday at the Leiss Ranch in Marin County
- Cascade Preserve
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 8, 2018
Patagonia v. Trump
The New York Times has an in depth story about Patagonia’s history of political activism and its recent challenging of President Trump
It bills itself “the Activist Company” and publicly advocates for environmental protection, fair trade and stricter labor standards. It supports thousands of grass-roots environmental activists, and has been involved with Bears Ears since 2012. But until December, Patagonia had never tangled with a president.
Read story at Patagonia v. Trump – The New York Times
Posted in Environment, Park, Uncategorized | Tags: Bears Ears National Monument, Patagonia
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2018
Hungry Valley/ Tejon Pass Wildflowers 5/6/18
Hungry Valley OHV has a new wildflower report for 5/6/18
The weather is beautiful, the wildflowers are out, and it is time for a visit to Hungry Valley SVRA! The poppies are still creating quite a show! The Gorman Hills and Tejon Pass have large splashes of color across the hillsides. Fort Tejon SHP parking lot is a safe place to view the wildflowers, or take a short drive up Digier Road for more viewing areas. While you are there, check out the fort for some local history.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2018
Wildflowers Around California 5/6/18 -updated
Botanical Wandering – California has new reports with photos
- Indian Paintbrush (two species), baby blue eyes, and lupine are in peak bloom on Glendora Ridge Rd, Los Angeles County at around 4,000 ft. Today.
- Pt. Mugu
- Tidy-tips and goldfields are popping off at Mori Point in Pacifica (Golden Gate National Recreation Area)! But please don’t Instagram your pets on the restoration plots and stay within the post and cable fencing.
- Pioneertown Mountains Preserve in Yucca Valley
Marin CNPS has reports and photos for
- Lots of rare plants blooming (as always) at Abbotts Lagoon dunes and bluffs, and Bull Point / North Beach area in Point Reyes today.
- Azalea Hill and Pine Mountain Fire Road yesterday outside of Fairfax
- Cascade Preserve yesterday
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 7, 2018
The Importance Of Controlled Burns
The New York Times has a report on controlled burns and their importance on restoring landscapes
Where development and fragmentation have disrupted natural cycles, teams run controlled burns every spring to help sustain prairies and other ecosystems that have long been shaped by fire.
Read story at Setting Fires and Restoring an American Landscape – The New York Times
Posted in Environment | Tags: Controlled Burns
Natural History Wanderings 