Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2017

DesertUSA Updates 2/26/17

DesertUSA posted the following updates on 2/26/17

California

Anza-Borrego See locations where we have found wildflowers, the park is recommending some of these location also on their website. It is still early but the flowers are starting to bloom, the green on the map shows the general locations of the blooms. Map at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html#ixzz4Zr0ix0oK

Santa Rosa Plateau  Feb 25, 2017 The plateau is very green still. Flowers are present, but not plentiful. From the Vernal Pool trailhead, I did a short afternoon loop along the Trans-Preserve Trail, Ranch Rd, Adobes, and the Vernal Pool trail. Blooms spotted included chocolate lilies, milk maids, buttercups, shooting stars, blue dicks, ground pink, and a few others See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html#ixzz4Zr0wGSMr

Outside of Solvang Feb 26, 2017 photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html#ixzz4Zr1Sf2dp 

Joshua Tree  Feb. 26 The wildflower bloom is already starting in earnest by the Cottonwood Springs Entrance. A few species can be found in the higher elevations. The Ocotillo are starting to bloom in the lower elevations and should be fabulous this year. Photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_jtnp.html#ixzz4Zr1lMf8C

Feb 24  out at the south end of Joshua Tree and through Box Canton to Mecca yesterday. At nature trail at south entrance to JTNP there was one spectacular Encelia farinosa in bloom, and a number of Peritoma arborea in bloom in the wash leading south from the nature trail sign. The Opuntia basilaris were in full bud (larger ones having perhaps 100 or so buds) and should be spectacular later.

In Box Canyon (the road to Mecca), the lupine (arizonicus?) along the road in the lower part were in full bloom and quite showy. Across the road from Shaver’s Well, the hillside was full of Peritoma arborea in bloom. Abronia villosa starting in lower part of canyon, as well as a few Gerea in bloom there. The various suncups (Camissonia, etc) were just starting – a few yeloow and a few brown-eyed were in bloom. A few Phacelia of a couple different species also in bloom. In general, there is a green film over everything, but it is early days yet.

Arizona

Route 60 west of Florence Junction, AZ – Great patches of Lupines. see photos at
http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html#ixzz4Zr2iHiCy

Peridot Mesa, San Carlos, AZ mile marker 268 on Route 70 east of Globe, AZ  good poppy display See photo at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html#ixzz4Zr32JhMs

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2017

Birding Eastshore State Park – Berkeley 2/26/17

Willet

Willet

Today we went birding at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park. We started by Sea Breeze Cove, went through the Berkeley Meadow and observed the North Cove along Virginia Annex. Identified 38 bird species. Most impressive were the seasonal ponds in the Meadow. There were more and larger areas under water than on any previous visit over the last several years.

Seasonal pond

Click read more to see bird list.

Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2017

Elephant Poaching Led To 80% Decline At Preserve

ScienceDaily reports

Poaching drives 80 percent decline in elephants in key preserve

More than 25,000 elephants slain over a decade in Gabon park

Central Africa’s largest sanctuaries have declined between 78% and 81% because of poaching, a new study finds. More than 25,000 elephants in Gabon’s Minkébé National Park may have been killed for their ivory between 2004 and 2014. With nearly half of Central Africa’s forest elephants thought to live in Gabon, the loss of elephants from the park is a considerable setback for the preservation of the species.

Read full article at Elephant Poaching

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2017

Henry Coe Wildflower Update 2/25/17

Henry Coe State Park has a new wildflower bloom report  for February 25, 2017 at the Pine Ridge Association website with photos and a list of flowers now in bloom at: Henry W. Coe – Wildflower Guide.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 26, 2017

Death Valley National Park Wildflowers 2/25/17

Death Valley National Park reports

The past couple weeks have been exciting and wet in Death Valley National Park. Water has the power to damage roads as well as create wildflower blooms. With nearly half of our yearly rainfall (0.95” in the past two weeks), many visitors and pollinators have their eyes trained on the ground in search of wildflowers. Behind the Furnace Creek Visitor Center plants like this Globemallow have just begun to bloom.

If you are planning to visit the park in search of flowers, we recommend taking a stroll behind the Visitor Center or making the trip to the southern regain of the park near Saratoga Springs where several species have already begun their bloom. Many other areas of the park should start blooming in the coming weeks.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2017

Photos From The Regional Parks Botanic Garden

A series of photos taken today at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2017

Texas Wildflower Updates

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center reports

Experts predict wildflower season may come earlier this year around Texas.

Read their detailed report at  2017 Wildflower Forecast • Wildflower News • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

 

Gary Regner Photography reports

A record breaking warm February has caused wildflowers to begin blooming early. Already greenthread is showing along roadways, and even bluebonnets are starting to bloom. Trees have been in full bloom for weeks including Mountain Laurels and Redbud

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2017

Wildflower Bloom at Metropolitan’s Diamond Valley Lake 

Yahoo Finance (an unusual place to find a wildflower report) has an article on Diamond Valley Lake

After five years of drought, the green hills surrounding Diamond Valley Lake will once again come alive with the bright oranges, blues, purples and reds of the region’s native wildflowers.

The wildflower bloom has already started and is expected to peak in mid- to late-March, when the hillsides will be a carpet of color, said wildlife biologist Bill Wagner.

“We’ve had a limited bloom the past few years scattered around the lake. This year is going to be spectacular, with broad fields of flowers covering the hillsides,” he said. “Because the hillsides are so saturated due to the rain this year, I think the bloom could go well into late spring.”

In addition to fields of orange California poppies—the state flower—visitors can expect to see blue royal lupines, purple canterbury bells, yellow ranchers fiddleneck, white popcorn flowers, and pink red maids, among other wildflowers. The best time to see poppies in blooms is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as they need full sun.

Read full article and see photos at Wildflowers Bloom at Metropolitan’s Diamond Valley Lake after Years of Drought

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 25, 2017

California Moves To Protect Environment & Endangered Species

Politico reports

California moves to pre-empt Trump on environment, endangered species

Needling President Donald Trump and bracing for a rollback of Obama-era environmental protections, Democrats in the nation’s most populous state are launching a preemptive strike.

California lawmakers are expected Thursday to propose legislation to fold existing federal air, water and endangered species standards into state law, sources said, enshrining pre-Trump levels of protection in California regardless of any reversal at the federal level.

Read story at  California moves to pre-empt Trump on environment, endangered species

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2017

Anza-Borrego Wildflowers 2/21/17

Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update has two new posts with photos

February 21, 2017 Ash Wash Loop – Hiking Details


Time to check out Coyote canyon and we never hiked the Ash wash this month. We where surprised to see a good flow of water at zero crossing, this time they made a drainage, so the road was not longer muddy.
The first stretch has flower fields of smaller Brown eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis peirsonii and some Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides deltoides.

Parking at second crossing, hiking up Ash wash and looping back along the ridge, along the route California fagonia, Fagonia laevis in high numbers.  Going down we noticed the very high number of Woody bottlewasher, Eremothera boothii condensata.

Further to third crossing, the amount of water in second crossing is interesting and deep.
Parking just before the summer gate and hiking along the water adding a couple of flowering plants.
There always seems to be one Hooker’s evening primrose, Oenothera elata hirsutissima in bloom at third crossing.
Last stop Henderson canyon rd, a couple of Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides deltoides and Desert sunflower, Geraea canescens, plants are doing great and they keep on growing, expect bloom soon.

February 21, 2017 Henderson Canyon

What’s prettier than drifts of monkey flowers among the rocks?  Monkey flowers with pygmy poppies and whispering bells!  We spotted lots of nice plants beginning to flower this morning in Henderson Canyon:  Chickory, trailing windmills, rock daisy, chuparosa, mammalaria, phacelia, desert dandelion, California suncup and even a few lupine in bloom, although most of the lupine plants do not yet even have buds.

See photos at Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2017

Native Here Plant Sale Feb. 25-26

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2017

Regional Park Botanic Garden 2/2316

At the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park
The Adobe Lily/Frittilaria pluriflora at Tilden was blooming today.
Lots of Ribes still in flower, plus Trillium chloropetalum (both white and magenta forms), Osoberry,  Dutchman’s Pipe, Island Shooting Stars, Manzanitas and Ceanothus.  The bulbs are emerging everywhere, with some sun for them to finally work with.  The creek is rushing madly, tho most of the trails are dry.  Some muddy spots in the Redwood Grove.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 24, 2017

New Research On Bird Mobbing Behavior

ScienceDaily reports group mobbing behavior gives male birds the chance to impress potential mating partners

Dive bombing a much larger bird isn’t just a courageous act by often smaller bird species to keep predators at bay. It also gives male birds the chance to show off their physical qualities in order to impress females, according to new research on predator mobbing behavior of birds where potential prey approach and harass would-be predators such as owls.

Read full article at Birds of a feather mob together: Group mobbing behavior gives male birds the chance to impress potential mating partners — ScienceDaily

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2017

DesertUSA Wildflower Updates 2/23 /17

Arizona

a few poppies and lupine growing along the Apache Trail. Flower displays are sporadic at this time. It’s not quite time to take a serious day out there yet but a few photos can be had.See photos athttp://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html#ixzz4ZZopYMHL

Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, Phoenix, on February 22, 2017. Photos athttp://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html#ixzz4ZZoyFtMV

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  I’ve been in Organ Pipe for 3 days now…everything is very green, but despite what they said at the Visitor Center, nothing really in bloom yet. A couple of very small patches of poppies, a couple isolated brittle brush in bloom and that’s about it. I would estimate at least a week, if not two until a major flower bloom.

California

Anza-Borrego  Ocotillo Wells SVRA reports: Wildflower walks near the Discovery Center/Amphitheater began last week, and we’ve had colorful news flashes every day, both from blossoms and rainbows. Delicate pygmy gold poppy (Eschscholzia minutiflora) blossoms are joining white popcorn flowers (Cryptantha spp.) to carpet the ground between small washes behind the Discovery Center. Photos at  http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html#ixzz4ZZpil3sA

Some wildflowers along Amboy road south of Bristol Dry lake, which is wet now, in some spots. The wind was strong and was blowing the sand. Photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/mnp.html#ixzz4ZZpy7AAB

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve 2/21/7 photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html 

 

Texas

Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park Feb 18-20, 2017. This is a collage of many of the wildflowers. Most were small. They were common along the roadsides and in washes. It appeared the season was going to continue and there was rain on Feb 19. On Feb 20, I saw the first ocotillo buds.See photos at Desert Wildflower Reports for Texas – DesertUSA

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2017

Big Bend Wildflowers 2/22/17

Big Bend National Park reports

Blooming now! The first of this year’s Prickly Pear Cactus have begun to show buds, and even a few early blooms! Usually peaking in late April, the lower elevations often have Prickly Pear blooming by March. These buds and petals were sighted along the Mariscal Rim Trail, off of River Rd East. This bloom is from a spiny-fruited prickly pear (Opuntia spinosibacca), endemic to the Trans-Pecos area, mostly growing in the Dead Horse mountains to the East of this trail. Reddish-orange spines and raised areoles are diagnostic. The Chihuahuan Desert is famous for its incredibly diversity of cactus, especially Prickly Pears!

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2017

Fresno Blossom Trail 2/23/17

Blossom Trail Update reports on the Fresno Blossom trail on Feb.23

Blossoms are here, sun is out, weather is cold but warming. Weather forecast calls for slight chance of rain this weekend, followed by sunshine next week.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 23, 2017

Twelve-year Action Plan To Save Vultures

Birdwatch Magazine reports

Some 43 experts from 22 countries have met in Toledo, Spain, to draw up a strategy to save the world’s heavily threatened vulture species.

The meeting was part of preparations for the forthcoming summit of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species. Based on previous consultations and workshops that include the findings of 200 experts, the group in Toledo has expressed their deep concerns about the continued veterinary use of diclofenac, a deadly drug when consumed by vultures, and designed a 12-year action plan which aims to ensure the conservation of all vulture species.

There are 23 vulture species in the world and 16 of them are globally threatened;: four Asian species and four African are critically endangered.

Read full story: Twelve-year action plan to save vultures | News | Birdwatch Magazine

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 22, 2017

Antelope Valley Wildflowers 2/22/17

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports

As of February 22nd, the hills are greening up but no poppy buds have been seen yet. Because the rains started late and then came on heavily, it wasn’t the optimal precipitation pattern for poppies so we’re expecting a moderate poppy bloom at best. Their shallower roots from late germination will also be more vulnerable to late freezes and early heat waves. However, we might be getting a good show of some rarely seen flowers that need heavy rains. If all goes well, we can expect the bloom to start in early to mid-March and last until mid-April or later.

See Current Photos

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 22, 2017

Desert Wildflower Reports 2/22/17

DesertUSA has photos of flowers in blooming Southern California at Chino Hills State Park, California 2-16-2017 and CA-111 leading into Palm Springs, February 19, 2017. Of special note are the hillsides of poppies at Chino Hills. See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html#ixzz4ZSbGDgnF

In Arizona they report

Mexican Gold Poppies are blooming now on the Pipeline Trail at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. The footbridge is closed due to high water but there are a lot of flowers before you reach the bridge. 2/22/17

The rains last weekend did the trick, the desert is finally blooming in Baja Arizona. I saw Mexican Goldpoppy, Blue Dicks and Desert Anemone on the trails in Catalina State Park (near Tucson) on Monday, 2/20/17. See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html#ixzz4ZScHgsQS

 

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 22, 2017

A Frog That Fits On Your Thumbnail

The BBC  reports

Four new frogs so tiny that they can sit on a thumbnail have been discovered in the forests of India.Among the smallest frogs in the world, they live on the forest floor and make insect-like calls at night.Three larger species were also found, bringing to seven the number of night frogs discovered in the Western Ghats.

Read full story at Meet the frog that can sit on a thumbnail – BBC News

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 21, 2017

Anza-Borrego Wildflower Updates 2/21/17

Three updates today. The  Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural Association and DesertUSA.

The  Anza-Borrego Desert State Park reports

Good rains in December and January, plus the half-inch this month, have annual plants growing in the flower fields north of town, and along trails in western canyons. Desert lily plants are just beginning to bloom in many locations, including the badlands. The dirt road to Arroyo Salado Primitive Camp is a good place to look for lilies (4WD only beyond the camp area).

So far, cool weather is allowing the ground to stay moist, and plants are continuing to grow. Sunflowers in the “Flower Fields” along Henderson Canyon Road have buds, but are not yet blooming.

Spectacle-pod is blooming at the north end of Di Giorgio Road. The Coyote Canyon Road has just been graded, and is accessible to two-wheel-drive vehicles as far as Desert Gardens. Patches of sand verbena and dune evening primrose, as well as the occasional blooming lily and desert sunflower, await those willing to wander out onto the flats.

Poppies, phacelia, and brittlebush are just beginning to bloom at the Visitor Center, where cryptantha has been in bloom for a couple of weeks.

Borrego Palm Canyon is beautiful right now, with Canterbury Bells, Poppies, Monkeyflower, and Phacelia blooming against lots of bright green foliage! Hikers have been delighted to see bighorn sheep on both the main trail and the alternate trail recently.

It’s hard to predict a peak, but we should see many more flowers toward the end of February. If temperatures this month continue to be mild, flowers should persist into the first half of March, at least. Of course, another rain shower or two might extend the blooming period, so our fingers are crossed!

Click Read More to see posts from  the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural Association and DesertUSA

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 21, 2017

Arizona Wildflowers 2/21/17

Wild in Arizona reports

The Estrella Mountain Park is starting to show carpets of poppies high on the northern slopes of the Rainbow Valley trail. Start at the Rodeo Arena Parking lot and hike west, the best wildflowers are 1/2 – 1 mile in and showing Lupine and Fiddleneck at 1 foot tall already. This area should be great in 1-2 weeks with recent rains that will double the bloom stalks and give solid midday carpets of poppies. Also look for a brittlebush/strawberry hedgehog bloom in 3-4 weeks.

The White Tanks were OK.  There were enough poppies to keep your attention but little else.  There were a few lupines but sparse and small.  The best areas were the first 1/2 mile of Mesquite Trail west of area 7.  The west side of White Tank Mountain Road near Area 3 and the trails that lead west of area 3.  The brittle bush was not flowering but it was very healthy and the flower buds were starting.  They will be a better show than the poppies.

See photos at AZ. Wildflower Field Report 2/22/17

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 21, 2017

Suggestions For Wildflower Photo Gear

Wild in Arizona has a web post with their recommendations for wildflower photography equipment. Read their suggestions at Gear Up for Photographing Wildflowers! » Wild in Arizona

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 20, 2017

Death Valley Wildflowers 2/20/17

DesertUSA shows photos of Desert Gold, Desert Chicory, Popcorn, Browne-eyed Evening Primrose, Desert Five-spot and Narrow-leaf Phacelia in bloom.

See photos and location information at Death Valley Wildflower Report – DesertUSA

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 20, 2017

Free National Park Entrance Feb 20

The National Park Service just turned 100 years old! Celebrate the start of our second century by visiting a park in 2017. During ten days of the year, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2017:

  • January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • February 20: Presidents’ Day
  • April 15-16 and 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week
  • August 25: National Park Service Birthday
  • September 30: National Public Lands Day
  • November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend
National parks are America’s Best Idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the 120 national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all of the time. Plan your visit and enjoy our country’s history and nature.

The fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Fee-free days make parks accessible to more people. However, national parks are always economical, with entrance fees that range from $3 to $30. In addition, any fourth grade student can get a free annual pass through the Every Kid in a Park program, and active duty military and citizens with a permanent disability can also get free passes. For more information about the variety of discounted passes available, please visit the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass page.

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 19, 2017

2017 Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival March 4

The 10th annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is Saturday, March 4, 2017 9:00am 4:00pm.  This FREE event celebrates wellness, recreation, and the outdoors. Featuring local artists and conservation partners, a kids’ zone (with a climbing wall!), wildflower hikes, beer & wine garden, food & other beverages, and more! We’ll also have a sand play area for the kids. Come celebrate spring in our desert! NO ONSITE PARKING: Free parking and shuttles start at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2017

EARTHJUSTICE’S PRESIDENT ON SCOTT PRUITT’S CONFIRMATION AS EPA ADMINISTRATOR

EarthJustice News Release

“We will fight in every court across the country when Administrator Pruitt tries to take a sledgehammer to the agency…”

The U.S. Senate, along a mostly party-line vote of 52-46, has confirmed Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Donald Trump’s pick to lead our nation’s top enforcer of environmental laws will take office despite his open hostility to bedrock air and water protections like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, his refusal to turn over state documents and answer straightforward questions during his hearing process, and his many conflicts of interest resulting from the 14 times he has sued EPA to fight public health protections.
Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen issued the following statement:

“This is a sad day for our country, especially for those living in polluted neighborhoods who count on the Environmental Protection Agency for help cleaning up their air, water and land.  Scott Pruitt is unfit to lead the EPA. We couldn’t be more disappointed in the Senate’s insistence on putting the interests of the polluters before the well-being of our communities.

“Earthjustice’s mission remains the same: to protect the environment and health of all people. We have the law, the facts, the science and public opinion on our side. We will fight in every court across the country when Administrator Pruitt tries to take a sledgehammer to the agency charged with the protection of our air and water.”

via Earthjustice’s President on Scott Pruitt’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator | Earthjustice

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2017

Backyard Bird Count 2/18/17

Today we did our annual Great Backyard Bird Count with friends. We observed our yard for a few hours than walked around the neighborhood in North Berkeley. We had at least 23 different birds. We were unable to ID the woodpecker as we only heard it and the gulls were all flying to high to ID.  The highlight was a Red-breasted Nuthatch, which spent most of the day in yard. (Normally they are only an occasional and relatively brief visitor. Here is our list

gull sp.  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  2
Anna’s Hummingbird  4
woodpecker sp.  1     heard drumming but not seen
California Scrub-Jay  1
American Crow  9
Common Raven  1
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  2
Oak Titmouse  1
Bushtit  10
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
American Robin  1
Cedar Waxwing  31
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Fox Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  3
White-crowned Sparrow  4
Golden-crowned Sparrow  2
California Towhee  4
House Finch  1
Lesser Goldfinch  5
House Sparrows 5

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2017

Desert Wildflower Updates 2/18/17

DesertUSA had many wildflower updates today.

We got some rain in the deserts, and the outlook remains very good for the 2017 wildflower season. Results should start showing in a few weeks.

ARIZONA

Mexican Poppies below Eagle Rock on the Superstition Foothills trail system. See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html#ixzz4Z5NTLK00

Estes Canyon–Bull Pasture loop trail in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument when we spotted the poppy and the purple flower in bloom. Rain is forecast for this weekend. Brittle bush is just starting to flower. See photos at http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html#ixzz4Z5NmKqCb

Catalina State Park reports: We the first Mexican gold poppies of the spring wildflower season!

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum reports: Our cactus garden is full of these bloomin’ beauties! The Chihuahuan Snowball cactus (Thelocactus macdowellii) produces a beautiful and vibrant pink flower. Make sure to come visit this weekend to catch a glimpse of these prickly and precious plants!

 Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument reports: We are spotting Mexican Gold Poppies, Fairy Dusters, and Brittlebush blossoms, to name a few!

Saguaro National Park reports: Fairy dusters have started to bloom! There are two types of Fairy Dusters but, the native species’s bloom go from white to red. This woody short shrub can be found at both districts of the park. Since the West district is at a lower elevation, most flowers like the Fairy Duster will bloom earlier there and at a later time over at the East district.

CALIFORNIA

Joshua Tree NP reports: Rain is in the forecast for this weekend which means some dirt roads in the park may be temporarily closed soon. Park maintenance crews close park roads when conditions are unsafe for vehicles to pass and to protect the road surface. Bypassing closures may cause damage to road, costing thousands of dollars and lots of time to repair.

Shooting star at vernal pools trail at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve 02/15/2017. See photo at
http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html#ixzz4Z5OahDxt

 

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Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 18, 2017

Death Valley Wildflowers 2/18/17

Death Valley National Park reports on its Facebook page

Although we are not planning on a wildflower bloom similar to last year, there are still flowers to be found! This Desert Sand Verbena was discovered near the Ibex sand dunes, in the southeast part of the park.

See photo at :  Death Valley National Park

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