The BBC reported
The picture of the Upemba Lechwe was taken through the window of an aeroplane during a survey.
See photos and read on www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx0kn124w0o
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 27, 2025
DR Congo: Rare Upemba Lechwe antelope captured on camera as experts say under 100 exist
Posted in Animals | Tags: Upemba Lechwe antelope
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 27, 2025
Researchers reveal why young plants may be more vulnerable to disease | ScienceDaily
ScienceDaily reported
From toddlers in daycare to seedlings in forests, young organisms tend to get sick more easily than adults — a phenomenon that has long puzzled parents and scientists alike.
University of Maryland biologists offer new insights into this mysteriously universal pattern in a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on April 4, 2025. The new study on baby plants shows that fighting disease at a young age often comes at a steep cost to growth and future evolutionary fitness — or their ability to reproduce.
Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250404201343.htm
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Disease risk in young plants
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 26, 2025
California gardeners plant native species in parks to prevent wildfire spread
The Guardian reported
Volunteers, organized by landscape architecture firm Terremoto, clear invasive plants and restore native fauna: ‘It’s a years-long relationship with the land’
See article and photos at : California gardeners plant native species in parks to prevent wildfire spread – in pictures | Environment | The Guardian
Posted in Garden | Tags: Native Plant to Prevent Wildfire Spread
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 26, 2025
Why do plants transport energy so efficiently and quickly?
ScienceDaily reported
Photosynthesis — mainly carried out by plants — is based on a remarkably efficient energy conversion process. To generate chemical energy, sunlight must first be captured and transported further. This happens practically loss-free and extremely quickly. A new study shows that quantum mechanical effects play a key role in this process.
Read more at Why do plants transport energy so efficiently and quickly? | ScienceDaily
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Photosynthesis
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
Florida man who shot and poisoned dolphins sentenced to 1 month
NBC News reported
A Florida man who shot dolphins attracted to baited fishing lines cast from boats he operated was sentenced to 30 days in prison and one year of supervised release.
Read more at Florida man who shot and poisoned dolphins sentenced to 1 month
Posted in Animals | Tags: Dolphin Shooting
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
Tioga Road Reopens on Memorial Day
SF Gate reports
Tioga Road, the popular and scenic section of Highway 120 that allows access to the eastern side of Yosemite National Park, will open on Memorial Day, the National Park Service announced on its website Thursday.
Read more at Tioga Road into Yosemite Park to reopen on Memorial Day
Posted in Drives, Park | Tags: Tioga Pass Road, Yosemite National Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
Inn Fire Update 5/25/25
from Inyo National Forest
Inn Fire Update – May 25, 2025 Start Date: 5/22/2025
Cause: Under Investigation
Percent Containment: 15% Acreage: 726
Firefighters on the Inn Fire continue to make steady progress. As of this morning, the fire is 15% contained, with containment efforts focused along the east side of Highway 395. On the north edge of the fire, containment has begun where completed dozer line extends from Highway 395 to the Mono Vista Spring area, supported by ongoing handline construction and hose lay operations to extinguish heat and secure the perimeter.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Inn Fire
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
US 395 is open
Mono county Tourism reports US 395 is open
Posted in Drives | Tags: US 395 is open
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
ANZA-BORREGO NAMED BEST STATE PARK FOR WILDFLOWERS
East County Magazine reported
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has been named the best California state park for wildflower viewing in a new “Best of California State Parks(link is external)” poll released by the California State Parks Foundation.
Red more ANZA-BORREGO NAMED BEST STATE PARK FOR WILDFLOWERS | East County Magazine
Posted in Park | Tags: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
The case for stealing California poppies
The San Francisco Standard reported
The state flower’s beauty lies not in its ability to grow in vast quantities, but to pop up where it has no business blooming.
Read more: The case for stealing California poppies
Posted in Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: California Poppies
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 25, 2025
New Calif. coyote study ‘went against everything that we’ve learned’
SF Gate reported
A study of the movement of 20 coyotes in Los Angeles County turned up some unexpected findings.
Read on www.sfgate.com/la/article/los-angeles-coyotes-behavior-20250965.php
Posted in Animals | Tags: Coyote Behavior
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 24, 2025
Regional Park Botanic Garden Photos May 25, 2025
Photos taken in the Regional Park Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on May 25, 2025.
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a botanic garden of California native plants. The Garden is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. It is located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California. It is a 10-acre garden for many of the state’s rare and endangered plants and a place for visitors to wander among trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses from plant communities throughout the state. To learn more about the garden visit the website at www.nativeplants.org .
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 24, 2025
Black Birder Week
From East Bay Regional Parks
Black Birders week began in 2020 to highlight the historic discrimination in nature-based outdoor recreation activities, like birding. Join us in celebrating Black Birders Week from Sunday, May 25 to Saturday, May 31 with a week-long series of activities aimed at uplifting Black birders and topics of cultural inclusivity in the outdoors. Park District Naturalist staff share the joys of birding as a lifelong learning journey and invite everyone to get outside, spend time with community, and learn about the birds of the East Bay in our Regional parks.
See programs and activities at Black Birders Week | East Bay Parks
Posted in Park | Tags: Black Birders Week, East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 24, 2025
InnFire Update – U.S. 395 Closure
From Mono County Tourism
US 395 between Lee Vining and Mono City remains closed due to the #innfire and is expected to stay closed through tonight, possibly into the weekend.
➡️ Detour Info:
Southbound: Use SR 167 or NV 208 via Holbrook Junction
Northbound: Use US 6 from Bishop. Or take Benton Crossing Road to/from Mammoth Lakes area or US 120 E Mono Mills Road to/from Lee Vining area to US 6.
These routes will take you through Nevada — plan ahead with fuel and supplies.
🧡 Our businesses and communities remain open and welcome your visit and support. Smoke impacts are minimal to none outside of the isolated fire area. Please travel safely and check conditions before heading out.
🙏 A heartfelt thank you to all the first responders.
For fire and road updates:
- CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit
- Caltrans District 9
- Mono County Sheriff’s Office
- ready.mono.ca.gov
- roads.dot.ca.gov
Posted in Drives | Tags: Highway 395 Closure
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 24, 2025
These Bird Nests Are Full of Trash, Including Some That’s 30 Years Old
Smithsonian Magazine reported
Scientists studying Eurasian coots in Amsterdam found layers of decades-old garbage in their urban nests
Read more at These Bird Nests Are Full of Trash, Including Some That’s 30 Years Old
Posted in Birds
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 23, 2025
New species of butterfly discovered in Canada park
The Miami Herald reported
In a national park of southern Canada, some “cryptic” creatures perched on the plants and enjoyed the sunlight. Something about the relatively “drab”-looking animals caught the attention of visiting scientists — and for good reason. They turned out to be a new species.
See photos and read article at New species of butterfly discovered in Canada park: photos | Miami Herald
Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Curiously Isolated Hairstreak, New Butterfly Species, Satyrium curiosolus
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 23, 2025
Nearly 1 in 3 Studied Fungi Threatened With Extinction
Earth.org reported
411 of the 1,300 fungi species assessed worldwide are at risk of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Read article at Nearly 1 in 3 Studied Fungi Threatened With Extinction | Earth.Org
Posted in Environment, Mushrooms | Tags: Fungi Extinction Risk
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 22, 2025
Last-second effort stops giant public land sale in Utah, Nevada
SF Gate reported
An effort to stop a Republican push to sell off hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in Nevada and Utah succeeded at the last moment.
Read on www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/outcry-stops-public-lands-sale-nevada-utah-zion-20340854.php
Posted in Park | Tags: Public Land Sales
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 22, 2025
Ninth whale dies in Bay Area this year as sightings spike
KRON4 reported
A second gray whale that died this year from a suspected vessel strike was found in the San Francisco Bay, according to The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC). It is the ninth…
Read more Ninth whale dies in Bay Area this year as sightings spike | KRON4
Posted in Animals | Tags: Bay Area Whale Deaths
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 22, 2025
San Francisco Bay fish have dangerous levels of ‘forever chemicals’
Berkeleyside reported
California has no health standards for these chemicals in fish, so activists are urging action. Found in people and animals worldwide, they are linked to cancer and other health effects.
Read on www.berkeleyside.org/2025/05/21/forever-chemicals-san-francisco-bay-fish
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Contaminated Waters harm to fish
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 22, 2025
Environmental DNA: Using eDNA to track world’s biodiversity
NPR reported
Scientists have found a way to sample DNA out of the air on a large scale — making it possible to one day track the health and well being of all kinds of species around the world.
Read more Environmental DNA: Using eDNA to track world’s biodiversity : NPR
Posted in Animals, Environment, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Sampling DNA out of the air
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 22, 2025
This is why trees are often left standing when wildfires destroy homes
KTLA reported
If you’ve ever wondered why trees will often be standing even after a wildfire has destroyed nearby homes, fire officials are offering an explanation.
“The answer lies in the difference between wildfires and conflagrations,” Cal Fire stated in a video uploaded Monday on Instagram.
“Wildfires often occur where the wildland meets human development,” a Cal Fire spokesperson said. Flames from wildfires often move as a front, consuming vegetation but not always spreading to everything in their path.
Read more This is why trees are often left standing when wildfires destroy homes | KTLA
Posted in Environment | Tags: Tree Survival in Fire
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 21, 2025
In Senegal, local communities are protecting critical sites while improving their livelihoods – BirdLife International
BordLife reported
With over 560 bird species, including nearly 250 migratory ones, Senegal is a critical haven for avian biodiversity.
Posted in Birds, Environment | Tags: Economic benefits of habitat protection
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 21, 2025
Forest management can influence health benefits
ScienceDaily reported
Forests play a crucial role in promoting health and wellbeing, but not all forests provide the same benefits. A large-scale study demonstrates how specific forest characteristics — such as canopy density and tree species diversity — can affect various health outcomes.
Read on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122024.htm
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 21, 2025
An AI system that watches over urban trees without touching a leaf
ScienceDaily reported
Monitoring urban plant health traditionally requires extensive manual labor and botanical expertise, creating challenges for cities facing expanding green spaces, higher population densities, and increasing threats to plants. Now, researchers have developed ‘Plant Doctor,’ an artificial intelligence-based tool that could revolutionize plant health monitoring. The proposed system can track individual leaves in urban video footage and precisely quantify the damage from pests and diseases, enabling scalable, non-invasive urban plant management.
Read more at Plant doctor: An AI system that watches over urban trees without touching a leaf | ScienceDaily
Posted in Environment, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: AI plant monitoring
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 20, 2025
Flamingos create water vortices to trap their prey
EarthSky reported
Flamingos create water vortices to trap their prey
Read on earthsky.org/earth/flamingos-create-water-vortices-to-trap-their-prey/
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 20, 2025
Wildlife Crossings Webinar 5/22
Los Padres ForestWatch is excited to invite you to an enlightening webinar featuring the acclaimed environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb. Join us Thursday, May 22 at 12:00 p.m. PT, delve into the critical topic of road ecology and its impact on wildlife.
| Register Now |
Posted in Animals, Talks | Tags: Wildlife Crossings
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 20, 2025
Getting hit by lightning is good for some tropical trees
ScienceDaily reported
Getting zapped with millions of volts of electricity may not sound like a healthy activity, but for some trees, it is. A new study reports that some tropical tree species are not only able to tolerate lightning strikes, but benefit from them. The trees may have even evolved to act as lightning rods.
Read more Getting hit by lightning is good for some tropical trees | ScienceDaily
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 19, 2025
Public Input Sought as East Bay Regional Park District Plan Process Begins
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) invites the public to provide input that will be used to develop EBRPD’s next District Plan. A survey is available for the public at ebparks.org/district-plan and will remain open at least through July 31, 2025. Printed versions of the survey, available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, will be available at EBRPD Visitor Centers starting Friday, April 25, or by calling (510) 544-2325. Read more at
Public Input Sought as District Plan Process Begins | East Bay Parks
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | May 19, 2025
Unusual Whale Spotting
We were very saddened to hear about the death of a young whale in Port McNeill, which was reported on May 14. The young whale, pictured here, was identified as a young Bryde’s whale (pronounced BROO-duss), a surprise to many of us, as this is not a species that is typically found this far north.
The whale was discovered by a local resident who notified the Marine Education & Research Society (MERS), who then promptly informed the ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) via the Marine Mammal Incident Reporting Line.
On Thursday, May 15, a blessing ceremony was held by Hereditary Chief Ernest Alfred to honour the whale. Today, May 16, a necropsy took place to help determine the cause of death.
We are honoured and grateful to the ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation, who have gifted the remains of this whale to us at the Whale Interpretive Centre. The whale will live on to promote education and conservation in our newly rebuilt facility. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to share this whale’s story with the world. Thank you.
Bryde’s whales are typically found in tropical to warm temperate waters. They are baleen whales, like Minke whales, and prey primarily on small schooling fish and zooplankton. This species can reach a length of 12-15 metres; this individual being just a juvenile is about half the size of a fully grown adult. The cause of death is not yet known.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Bryde’s whale
Natural History Wanderings 