Photos taken in my garden on Feb. 5, 2024. Experimenting with a borrowed Olympus Tough TG6 to test its closeup and macro capabilities.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 7, 2025
Photos From My Garden
Posted in Photos (Sandy's) | Tags: Garden Photos
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 7, 2025
The moon’s grand canyons were carved in the blink of an eye : NPR
NPR reported
The Earth’s Grand Canyon took millions of years to carve, but the moon’s grand canyons took about ten minutes.
Read on www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5280425/the-moons-grand-canyons-were-carved-in-the-blink-of-an-eye
Posted in Astronomy | Tags: Canyons on Moon
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 7, 2025
Choosing the Right Feeder and Seed: A Guide to Keeping Backyard Birds Healthy
from Birds Canada
Feeding birds is a wonderful way to connect with nature, support local wildlife, and enjoy the beauty of feathered friends right in your backyard. But to make the most of this rewarding hobby, it’s essential to choose the right feeder and seed type while maintaining a clean and safe environment for your avian visitors. Read more
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bird Feeding Guidelines
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 6, 2025
Seasonal Jobs at East Bay Regional Parks
SEASONAL PARK DISTRICT JOBS AVAILABLE! Looking for a summer job? Like the outdoors? Check out the opportunities available for the 2025 summer season.
| Virtual Job Fair: Sat, Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| The East Bay Regional Park District has a wide variety of opportunities for youth, young adults, and students. The Virtual Job Fair is designed for applicants ages 15–24, although the minimum age requirement for most jobs is 16 years old. Resume and interview tips provided. Pre-registration highly recommended.Sat, Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. More info/Zoom registration |
Visit the Park District Jobs webpage for more information. Jobs | East Bay Parks
Posted in Job Openings, Park | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks Seasonal Jobs
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 6, 2025
How the New Administration’s Actions Will Affect National Parks
The National Park Conservation Association reported
Will there be a shortage of national park rangers this visitation season? Our policy experts weigh in on the latest developments.
Thousands of job offers rescinded. Buyouts offered. And many staff left uncertain about the security of their jobs. It’s been two weeks since the new administration took office, but uncertainty and confusion are already taking a hefty toll on the National Park Service.
National park staff across the country are feeling the impact of the Trump administration’s recent executive orders and directives. As information continues to come fast and furious from the White House, NPCA breaks down what you need to know about the administration’s efforts to overhaul the federal workforce and agency funding — and how it all may affect your next park visit and the protection of our parks’ irreplaceable resources.
Read more at How the New Administration’s Actions Will Affect National Parks · National Parks Conservation Association
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 6, 2025
Hidden trail cameras capture footage of South America’s largest mammal once believed extinct: ‘This … reflects the importance of protected areas’
The CoolDown reported
South America’s largest land mammal has made a historic comeback.
The South American tapir hasn’t been spotted in the Atlantic Forest for over 100 years and was considered extinct in Brazil’s coastal region. Scientists were happy to be proven wrong.
AS reported on the endangered animals’ exciting reappearance when recordings of a female South American tapir and her calves were discovered on hidden trail cameras.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: South American tapir
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 5, 2025
Evacuated Altadena resident returns to find bear underneath home
FOX11 Los Angeles reported
As evacuation orders were lifted in the Eaton Fire area, one resident returned home to find a bear in a crawl space underneath their Altadena home.
Read on www.foxla.com/news/bear-found-in-altadena-home-eaton-fire
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 5, 2025
Bay Regional Park District celebrates Black History Month.
Join the East Bay Regional Park District in celebration of Black History Month. Learn about contributions of individuals and groups through naturalist-led programs about Black environmentalists and conservationists, or register for one of the Black History Walks at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50. www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/black-history-month
Posted in Park | Tags: East Bay Regipnal Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 5, 2025
East Bay Regional Park Docent Trainings
For over 30 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has provided opportunities for members of the public to do just that–share their love of nature or their passion for history by becoming docents. Learn more at Docent Groups | East Bay Parks
Posted in Park
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 5, 2025
Deaths of 30,000 fish off WA coast made more likely by climate change
The Guardian reported
Analysis drawing on satellite data and 13 climate models concludes that climate change makes marine heatwaves 20 times more likely
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Climate change, Fish Deaths
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 4, 2025
Massive pod of 1,500 dolphins spotted off California coast
SF Gate reported
It’s rare to spot a group this large of this species of dolphin, researchers said.
Read on www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/massive-pod-dolphins-spotted-california-20105737.php
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 4, 2025
Yosemite Reservations for February
If you’re planning on driving to Yosemite in February, this is a reminder that day-use entrance reservations are required on February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23 in order to manage the Horsetail Fall event. This is required for all visitors to the park. Initial reservations immediately sold out in November, but the remaining 50% of day-use reservations will be available two days prior to a day-use reservation date beginning at 8 am PST at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745. For example, on February 21 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 23 will be available.
If you have a lodging reservation for Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Foresta, or Yosemite West, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite Reservations
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 4, 2025
California Native Plant Society Workshops
California Native Plant Society plant science training workshops provide botanists, biologists, land managers, and ecologists the scientific skills and practical experience necessary to assess, manage, and protect native plants and lands in California and beyond.
Learn about workshops offered and how to register at Workshops – California Native Plant Society
Posted in Class/Workshop | Tags: CNPS Workshops
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 4, 2025
East Bay Regional Parks Upcoming Events
See upcoming events calendar for the East Bay Regional Parks at https://www.ebparks.org/calendar
Posted in Park, Walks & Hikes | Tags: East Bay Regional Parks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 4, 2025
Great White Sharks Washing Up Dead in Canada With Brain Swelling – The New York Times
Faced with a rash of shark deaths marked by brain swelling, Canadian and American scientists are trying to solve a marine mystery.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/science/canada-great-white-sharks.html
Posted in Animals | Tags: Great White Sharks
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 4, 2025
Poor Wildflower Season Predicted for Anza-Borrego this Year
From Anza-Borrego Desert Foundation:
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Posted in Desert, Park, Wildflowers and Other Plants | Tags: Anza-Borrego Wildflowers
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 3, 2025
Yosemite delays reservation system amid Trump review
The San Francisco Chronicle reported
Yosemite National Park finally figured out a way to eliminate bumper-to-bumper traffic and hour-long waits at entrance stations: limit the number of visitors by requiring reservations.
But the reservation system, which was scheduled to permanently take effect this year, is now on hold to give the Trump administration time to review the planned changes. Some say it may not proceed anytime soon, or at all.
Read more Yosemite delays reservation system amid Trump review
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite Reservation System
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 3, 2025
Upcoming Marin Bird and Nature Walks
from Wild Birds Unlimited
Thurs, 2/6: Las Gallinas Ponds, San Rafael, Marin Audubon
Sat, 2/8: Shollenberger Park, Petaluma, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance
Sat, 2/8: China Camp, San Rafael, Friends of China Camp
Sat, 2/15: Two Larkspur Highlights, Marin Audubon
Sat, 2/22: Ellis Creek Ponds, Petaluma, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance
Sat, 3/1: Valley Ford Wetlands and Dillon Beach, Marin Audubon
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 2, 2025
The California Wildfires Are the Latest Disaster Supercharged by Climate Change
The New York Times reported
Extreme weather events — deadly heat waves, floods, fires and hurricanes — are the consequences of a warming planet, scientists say.
Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/climate/california-fires-climate-change-disasters.html
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change, Wildfires
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 2, 2025
2025 Owens Lake Bird Festival April 11 to 13
The Owens Lake Bird Festival will return in April 2025, with birding tours on and off the famous Owens Lake, as well as photography, advocacy, botany, geology, and mining history tours.
The festival will take place as follows:
- Friday, April 11: Happy Hour and Check-in at FOI’s Lone Pine Office, 142 E. Bush Street, from 5:30-8:00 PM (optional).
- Saturday, April 12: Half-Day Morning and Afternoon tours, as well as Full-Day Tours starting from the parking lot of the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History, 701 S. Main Street. The day will end with a celebratory catered Dinner(optional), also at the Museum, starting at 6 PM, and a Silent Auction with goods donated by local businesses.
- Sunday, April 13: Morning Half-Day tours, also starting from the Museum.
For more information including registration go to e Bird Festival – Friends of the Inyo
Posted in Bird Festivals, Birds | Tags: Owens Lake Bird Festival
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 2, 2025
Support Federal Protections for the Monarch Butterfly
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Posted in Butterflies | Tags: Decline in Overwintering Monarchs
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 1, 2025
Eastern Sierra Road Closures
ATTENTION DRIVERS TRAVELING TO THE EASTERN SIERRA: Winter storms are inbound this weekend, please be advised that we currently have several highway closures to our roadways.
Closures:
SR89 (Monitor Pass), SR108 (Sonora Pass), SR120 E (Mono Mills Rd.) SR120 W at Lee Vining, SR158 (North June Loop), SR168 at Aspendell, and SR270. (Bodie Road)
We will reassess winter storm closures after the inclement weather passes.
SR108 (Sonora Pass), SR120 W at Lee Vining, SR203 at Mammoth Mountain Lodge, and SR168 at Aspendell are in full winter closures.
For more updates on road closures please visit https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Posted in Drives | Tags: Eastern Sierra Road Closures
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 1, 2025
Gate Closures in Los Padres National Forest
From Los Padres Forest Association
At this point, the seasonal gates have shut for the season. Knowing the status of gate closures is tricky and it can certainly ruin your weekend outing if you come across a locked gate you expected would be open. Some gates are opened/closed solely on established dates, other gates are opened/closed around storm systems and weather events – open during dry times and closed when rain is forecast. It’s really hard to know for sure if and when a gate will be open/closed. Best advice for any of you heading to the mountains is to do your homework ahead of time. Here are a few resources:
- The Forest Service has a page dedicated to road and campground closures. It may not be exactly up to date, especially during shoulder seasons, so give the Ranger Stations a call to confirm. Their phone numbers are also listed on the page.
- HikeLosPadres.com has a page with status and location of the gates that often provide (or deny) the most access. If you have any updates or would like to see gates added, let us know INFO@LPForest.org.
Newly Closed Gates
- Grade Valley Road (at Lockwood Valley Road: Grade Valley, Thorn Point, Johnston Ridge access)
- Santa Barbara Canyon Road (at the Reyes Ranch: SB Canyon, Sierra Madre, Buckhorn Rd access)
- Frazier Mountain Road (just past Chuchupate Ranger Station)
Posted in Park | Tags: Los Padres National Forest Gate Closures
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | February 1, 2025
Right whales can live to 130, but in North America they die young
MongaBay reported
- A new study indicates that right whales have extremely long lifespans of 130 years or more, adding to growing evidence of extreme whale longevity.
- The research draws attention to the plight of North Atlantic right whales, which are critically endangered. It found that despite their long potential lifespan, their actual lives are far shorter than those of southern right whales, a close relative.
- The authors and other experts believe North Atlantic right whales’ lives are being cut short due to threats in the “highly industrialized” waters off the eastern United States and Canada where they live; these include fishing gear, which can entangle the whales, and vessel strikes.
Read more at Right whales can live to 130, but in North America they die young
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 31, 2025
Upcoming Events at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 31, 2025
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Photos 1/29/25
Photographed in the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA on January 28 and 29, 2025.
The Regional Parks Botanic Garden is a California native plant garden. It is located within Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California, It is a 10-acre garden includes 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. There are free weekend and holiday tours. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the garden visit the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 31, 2025
Golden Gate Recreation Area Upcoming Events
To see the current schedule of upcoming events at Golden Gate Recreation Area go to See all upcoming events
Posted in Talks, Walks & Hikes | Tags: Golden Gate Recreation Area Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 31, 2025
Upcoming CNPS Events
See the calendar of upcoming events of the California Native Plants Society at https://www.cnps.org/events
Posted in Talks | Tags: Upcoming CNPS Events
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 31, 2025
Ancient forest uncovered by melting ice in the Rocky Mountains
CBS Radio reports
A nearly 6,000-year-old forest is once again seeing daylight after millennia hidden under ice in the Rocky Mountains.
A team of scientists from Montana State University, the U.S. Geological Survey and collaborating institutions discovered the ancient whitebark pine forest while on an archeological survey on the Beartooth plateau in Wyoming, thanks to warming temperatures that melted the ice previously covering it.
Read more or listen at: Ancient forest uncovered by melting ice in the Rocky Mountains | CBC Radio
Posted in Environment | Tags: Ancient Forest Discovered, Climate change
Posted by: Sandy Steinman | January 30, 2025
Upcoming UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events
See the events calendar for the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden at Garden Events
Posted in Class/Workshop, Garden | Tags: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events
Natural History Wanderings 