Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 26, 2017

Loss of Federal Protections May Imperil Pacific Reefs

The New York Times reports

Loss of Federal Protections May Imperil Pacific
Reefs, Scientists Warn
Fisheries officials call the marine national monuments
unnecessary, and their boundaries are said to be under review by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration is considering rolling back federal protections for 10 national monuments, including two in the central Pacific. The Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument and the Rose Atoll National Marine Monument protect the waters around a handful of islands, most uninhabited, to the south of the Hawaiian Islands.

The shore reefs of the islands have long been protected from commercial fishing; the monument designations extended that protection to 50 miles from shore in some cases and 200 miles in others.

Read full story at Loss of Federal Protections May Imperil Pacific Reefs, Scientists Warn

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 25, 2017

Early Anza Borrego Wildflower Bloom 11/22/17

Desert USA reports

The rain in September is now producing some wildflowers in Coyote Canyon, these pictures were take at the 2nd crossing. High clearance vehicle needed to get to the area. The road is in good shape with some rocks showing.

See photos at https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html#ixzz4zUibgBpE

via Anza Borrego Desert State Park – Super Bloom – DesertUSA

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 25, 2017

Sonoma Valley Fall Color 11/22/17

California Fall Color reports

Whereas, “Sonoma Valley is a mix of full-on color, some vineyards have lost their leaves.”
Sonoma Valley – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
See photos at  PINOT & CHARDONNAY PEAK IN SONOMA COUNTY

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 25, 2017

Even Death Valley Has Dark Sky Issues

Have you heard of sky glow? It is the brightening of the night sky from human-caused light scattered in the atmosphere and it even affects the night sky in Death Valley. How can you help Death Valley and other International Dark Sky Parks? One way is to reduce any unnecessary lighting. Think you are too far away to make a difference? There are national parks that experience sky glow from 200 miles away!
To learn more about how you can help https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/lightpollution.htm

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 25, 2017

State Attorneys General Oppose Plan To Raise National Park Fees

The LA Times reports

 A group of state attorneys general on Wednesday urged the National Park Service to scrap its proposal to more than double the entrance fee at 17 popular national parks.

The top government lawyers from 10 states and the District of Columbia sent a letter saying the increase could put access to the parks out of reach for many Americans.

“We cannot let the most popular and awe-inspiring national parks become places for the wealthy,” they said in the letter to the Park Service’s acting director.

Read full story at  State attorneys general bash plan to hike national park fees – LA Times

Center for Biological Diversity News Release

Cattle Waste Puts California’s Point Reyes on ‘Crappiest Places in America’ List

POINT REYES, Calif.— The livestock-polluted waters of Point Reyes National Seashore rank in the top 10 percent of U.S. locations most contaminated by feces indicated by E. coli bacteria, according to a new report published on the investigative journalism website The Revelator.

The report also discloses that Point Reyes National Seashore has been one of the 10 most feces-contaminated locations monitored in California since 2012 and that the state’s highest reported E. coli level was on a Point Reyes cattle ranch.

“A national park like Point Reyes shouldn’t be home to some of the crappiest waterways in America,” said Jeff Miller with the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Park Service is supposed to manage these public lands for protection of natural resources, but commercial dairies and cattle ranches continue to cause significant bacterial pollution of the park’s waterways.”

Read More…

Today we went birding at the Albany Mudflats and McLaughlin Eastshore SP–Albany access, which is the meadow next to the mudflats. The highlight of the day was our first sighting of a Burrowing Owl this year. Also see were two Eurasian Wigeons. There were large numbers of Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, American Avocet, and Northern Shovelers. There were also numbers of Northern Pintail, Brown Pelican, Ruddy Duck (in the distance), Ring-billed Gull, and American Coot. Click read more to see today’s bird list. We saw or heard 30 species.

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Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 24, 2017

New Channel Islands Native Plant Garden and Plant Sale 12/2/17

Channel Islands National Park News Release

Public Invited to Opening of Native Plant Demonstration Garden

Ventura, CA —The National Park Service, California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), and the Ventura Master Gardeners welcome the public to attend the opening of a native plant demonstration garden on Saturday, December 2 at 10:30 am at Channel Islands National Park in Ventura Harbor.

Plant Sale: Dec. 2nd, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Demonstration Garden Opening: 10:30 am
Location: Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center.(Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center) 1901 Spinnaker Dr. at the end of Ventura Harbor

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving Birding

This morning we went birding at Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Garretson Pt. at MLK regional Shoreline and our backyard. It was low tide and mostly cloudy.

At Elsie Roemer shorebirds were out in great numbers. Most abundant were the various sandpipers, Avocets, Forster’s Terns and Brown Pelicans.

A quick stop at Garretson Pt. we found the seasonal pond was still pretty dry. Most abundant in the bay were Ruddy Ducks. Best bird was a Belted Kingfisher who showed up just before we left.

Here are a few photos from Elsie Roemer that give you an idea of how birds it was. Click Read more below to see bird lists. I even included a bird list of a few birds that were in the yard in the N. Berkeley flatlands when we got home. We had a White-throated Sparrow make a couple of appearances earlier this week, but haven’t seen him the last few days.

 

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Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 23, 2017

Fall Color Slideshows

California Fall Color has a video of slideshow of this past fall color season at GIVING THANKS AND LOOKING BACK AT 2017

There are also links to fall color slideshow from previous years at LOOKING BACK AT 2013, 2014, 2015 AND 2016

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 23, 2017

Talking Turkey – Happy Thanksgiving

The Golden Gate Audubon blog the Golden Gate Birder has an article by Bob Lewis on Wild Turkeys in California

Wild Turkeys aren’t native to California. But today, a quarter-million or more make their home in the Golden State. Maybe some are in your neighborhood!

Read story at: Talk some turkey this Thanksgiving! – Golden Gate Audubon Society

 

The New York Times  also reports on Wild Turkeys across the U.S. and some of the problems they are creating for humans

It turns out that genuine, free-range wild turkeys — not to be confused with the farm-raised kind that most people will overcook on Thursday — are increasingly finding their free range to include suburbs from New England to California and lots of spots between.

Human-turkey conflicts are on the rise.

Read Story at The Turkeys Not on Your Plate: They’re Out Back, Climbing the Roof

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 22, 2017

California Fall Color – updated 11/22/17

California Fall Color reports

Ventana Wilderness – Pine Valley and the Ventana Wilderness in Monterey County this past Sunday to find that most of the ponderosa pines, several of the larger landmark black oaks and cottonwoods there survived the Soberanes Fire. The latter are carrying bright orange and golden color.
Tassajara Road, a dirt road that leads to the trailhead at China Camp, also full of beautiful orange black oaks.
the Ventana Wilderness at Peak and advises that the area is prime for fall color hikes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making Pine Valley in the Ventana Wilderness Hike of the Week.
Ventana Wilderness, Monterey County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
See photos at BEAUTY RETURNS TO THE VENTANA WILDERNESS

Berkeley = California Fall Color also has a photo I took from this past weekend’s Berkeley Half-Marathon

Berkeley Half-Marathon on Gilman Street

Berkeley/Bay Area – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!  Many of Berkeley Street trees are at peak. Especially colorful are Chinese Pistache Tree, Liquidamber and Persimmon Trees. See my post from two days ago Fall Color in Berkeley and California Fall Color’s post GIVE THANKS, THE BAY AREA IS PEAKING

 

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 22, 2017

How Natural Disasters Further Threaten Endangered Species

The New York Times  reported on the impact of natural disasters including Fires and Hurricanes on endangered species

When a wildfire swept through Arizona, all but 35 rare red squirrels disappeared. After California’s fires and Hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Irma, so did other near-extinct animals.

Read story at  For an Endangered Animal, a Fire or Hurricane Can Mean the End – The New York Times

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 21, 2017

Sierra Mountain Pass Road Status Updates

Sonora Pass – SR 108 is officially closed for the winter!

(Monitor Pass – SR 89 is currently OPEN.

Tioga Pass – SR 120 and the Bodie Road SR – 270 are currently closed and will be assesed later on this week.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 21, 2017

Muir Woods To Require Parking & Shuttle Reservations

News Release from National Park Service

Muir Woods Parking and Shuttle Reservations Launch January 16, 2018

MILL VALLEY, Calif. — The National Park Service today announced that parking and shuttle reservations at Muir Woods National Monument will begin on January 16, 2018.

All vehicles and shuttle passengers arriving to Muir Woods will be subject to the reservation system. Visitors arriving by commercial carrier – or on foot or bicycle – will not be required to use the reservation system or pay fees associated with it.

“Making a parking and shuttle reservation will be fast and easy,” said Deputy Superintendent Carey Feierabend. “The new system will improve the overall visitor experience by allowing visitors to plan their trip in advance while enhancing the protection and preservation of the surrounding natural resources.” The system, managed by Ace Parking Management, Inc., will operate year-round and reservations will be made through a website and call center.

The system will launch January 1, at which point parking and shuttle reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance on a rolling basis. Visitors will have the option to reserve either a vehicle parking space for $8 per car or a seat on the shuttle for $3 per adult (16 years and older). A vehicle or shuttle reservation provides the visitor with a timed arrival with no restriction on the length of stay for the remainder of the day. Visitors age 16 or older are required to pay a $10 park admission entrance fee in addition to any parking or shuttle reservation fees.

The reservation system will proactively manage parking and visitor flow to protect the health of Muir Woods and the Redwood Creek watershed and effectively address overcrowding, traffic congestion, and parking issues. Under the new reservation system, annual visitation is expected to be reduced to under one million from an estimated 1.2 million visitors.

Commercial carriers will be required to make advance reservations through a separate system managed through recreation.gov. Reservations for commercial parking spaces are anticipated to begin in late spring 2018.

More information can be found at GoMuirWoods.com.

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 20, 2017

Large Number Blue Whales In Monterey Bay

The San Francisco Chronicle reports

The largest animal on planet Earth, blue whales, and the second-largest animal, fin whales, are swimming in the Monterey Bay in large numbers.

Beginning Monday, up to 50 blue whales have been sighted off the coast of Monterey.

Read story and see photos atBlue whales invade Monterey Bay

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 19, 2017

Fall Color In Berkeley

A series of photos of fall color seen seen walking around North Berkeley the last two days.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 19, 2017

Sacramento Fall Color 11/18/17

California Fall Color reports

Each year in the week before Thanksgiving, Sacramento streets are layered with canopies of ruby, crimson, orange, gold, yellow, green and buff-colored leaves.
My favorite locations for seeing fall color in Sacramento County include: Mormon Island Wetland Reserve and bike trails of Folsom, quaint Fair Oaks where chickens run free, East Sacramento’s Fabulous Forties (Gracious Tudor, Colonial Revival, Arts and Crafts, California Bungalow and other grand homes along tree-lined streets numbered in the 40s), William Land Regional Park in South Sacramento and along the American River Parkway (Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail – a 32-mile paved bike and pedestrian trail from the Sacramento River to Folsom Lake).
Sacramento County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

See photos at: Sweeping Fall Away

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 19, 2017

Pt. Reyes Mushroom Camp 11/24 to 26

Mushroom Camp at Point Reyes National Seashore

Class date / time:  Friday, November 24, 2017 – 6:00pm to Sunday, November 26, 2017 – 2:00pm
Spend a wild and woodsy weekend in the forests of Point Reyes at the height of our local mushroom season. Instructor David Campbell will guide beginning and intermediate mushroom enthusiasts on a series of forays into the rich and diverse wild mushroom habitats all around us. Accommodations included at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 18, 2017

Where Do Shorebirds Sleep?

Where do shorebirds sleep? Hint: it’s not always at night.

Bay Nature has an article by Clayton Anderson, contributing naturalist with the California Center for Natural History, and Eco-Ed program coordinator for Golden Gate Audubon

To understand how shorebirds like sanderlings and sandpipers sleep— and it’s not necessarily at night! — it helps to understand their habitat.

Read article at  Where Do Shorebirds Sleep?

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2017

Anza-Borrego Wildflowers 11/15/17

DesertUSA reports

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – A few bushes in bloom along the the lower portion of Grapevine Canyon. See photos at Anza-Borrego Wildflowers

Read more: https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html#ixzz4yksUZoSk

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2017

California Fall Color Videos

California Fall Color just posted a number of videos of fall color from this past season at Droning On

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2017

Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight and Tomorrow

EarthSky reports

November’s wonderful Leonid meteor shower happens every year Around November 17 or 18, as our world crosses the orbital path of Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Like many comets, Tempel-Tuttle litters its orbit with bits of debris. It’s when this cometary debris enters Earth’s atmosphere, and vaporizes, that we see the Leonid meteor shower. In 2017, the peak night of the shower is expected from midnight to dawn on Friday and Saturday mornings (November 17 and 18). Best yet, there is no moon to intrude on the Leonid meteor shower in 2017. Although this shower is known for its periodic storms, no Leonid storm is expected this year. Follow the links below to learn more:

How many Leonid meteors will you see in 2017?

When should you watch for Leonid meteors in 2017?

Where should you watch the meteor shower?

Which direction should I look to see the Leonids?

Will the Leonids produce a meteor storm in 2017?

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2017

Today is National Take A Hike Day

NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY

National Take a Hike Day is observed annually on November 17.  With over 60,000 miles of trails in the National Trail System across the 50 states, there is no lack of opportunity to take a hike.

Events around the country are scheduled today to celebrate Take a Hike Day.  Hiking can burn between 400-550 calories per hour. What better way to get a head start on all those ‘other’ holiday temptations and observe Take a Hike Day?  Be sure to wear good shoes, take a snack and bring a buddy, but get out there and enjoy the fresh air, scenery and get a little exercise to boot!

via NATIONAL TAKE A HIKE DAY – November 17 | National Day Calendar

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 17, 2017

Record Year for Britain’s Loudest Bird

The Express and Star report

Numbers of “booming” male bitterns hit new highs as once-extinct bird continues to bounce back.

Bitterns, a wetland bird which was extinct in the UK, are booming with populations at a record high, conservationists have said.

The number of “Britain’s loudest bird” increased in 2017, with experts who use the foghorn-like booming call of the males to survey the species counting at least 164 birds at 71 sites, compared to 162 booming males at 78 sites last year.

Read more at https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2017/11/09/record-year-for-britains-loudest-bird/#2SX920XBeYFTICbE.99

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 16, 2017

The  Environment Cost Of Marijuana

Anthropocene magazine reports on the environment cost Of marijuana

They found that marijuana farms, which by law are not allowed to be larger than one acre, dot the region’s forests like a patchwork. Often crops are planted on land cleared deep in previously-intact groves. This arrangement disrupts the core forest’s ecology.

Read article at Confronting the Environment Cost of Marijuana

USDA FOREST SERVICE – PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION Public Release

Climate-influenced changes in flowering, fruiting also affect bird abundance, activities

“You are what you eat” might give way to “you are when you eat,” based on a new study tracking shifts in Hawaiian bird abundance, breeding and molting based on climate-related changes to native vegetation.

Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station recently reviewed extensive climate, vegetation and bird data collected between 1976 and 1982 at a 40-acre monitoring site about 5 miles outside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on Hawai’i Island. Their results, “Bottom-up processes influence the demography and life-cycle phenology of Hawaiian bird communities,” were recently published in this month’s issue of Ecology and has implications for future bird population stability in future projected climates.

Read More…

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2017

Butte County Fall Color 11/12/17

California Fall Color reports

This is the week to see Oroville, Durham, Biggs, Chico and Paradise at peak.  The color will likely last through Thanksgiving day (conditions permitting), though not much longer.

  • Oroville’s Sank Park is splashed with yellow gingko, fluorescent Chinese pistache, red-orange redbud and valley oak.
  • Vance Rd. along the Feather River in Biggs is literally dumping leaves of every color.
  • Chinese Pistache along the Midway from Durham north to Chico have transitioned from hot yellow, lime and pink to deep orange and auburn.
  • In Chico, The Esplanade and Main St. are heavy with dark red, orange, yellow and lime color.
  • Paradise is Past Peak, though spots of gold, brown, orange and lime are seen among black and brewers oak.
    Butte County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
    See photos at BUTTE BEAUTIES
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2017

Sequoia National Forest Fall Color 11/14/17

California Fall Color reports

Peak to Past Peak color north of Kernville in the Sequoia National Forest.
Kern River – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.

See photos at Sequoia National Forest – Still Bright

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | November 14, 2017

Jerry Brown, President of the Independent Republic of California

Politico reports on efforts of Jerry Brown and California on fighting climate change

As he crusades across Europe, the governor is acting like the leader of a sovereign country—an alternative to the United States in the Trump era.

Read story at: Jerry Brown, President of the Independent Republic of California

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