About

" The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.  Science brings men nearer to God."       -Louis Pasteur

Welcome to Natural History Journal, a personal nature journal made available to all.  

As a woman of faith, I view the world through the lens of God's Word, and am continually delighted and awed by how beautifully the Bible and science compliment each other.  Deeply in love with our glorious Creator God, I write in the hope that my words will encourage a few of my readers out of apathy, and into admiration and action as they see God's good handiwork and are moved to respond.

I hope to share the awe and wonder I feel at the beauty and intricacy of the natural world; to convey the sense of peace and fulfillment that is only received through engaging with Creation and its Creator; and to impart in everyone a desire to protect and preserve this incredible planet we are all blessed to share.  

With that in mind, I suggest starting here: I Believe: Reflecting on Nature and Faith.




Based in Central California, I am blessed to have access to a wide range of ecosystems, from mist-shrouded redwood forests and tide pools along the rocky coast, to the mixed conifer forests and alpine fell fields of the Sierra Nevada, to Southern California's captivating deserts.  

Though I live in a highly agricultural region, surrounded by farms and ranches that have nearly erased all traces of California's sprawling grasslands, wetlands and oak savannas, there is still beauty and wonder to be found here: the fleeting wildflowers of vernal pools; the iridescence of a Tree Swallow's wings; the powerful emotions evoked by witnessing a flock of Snow Geese explode into flight.

I hold a bachelor's degree in ag biology, am a certified California Naturalist through the University of California's naturalist program, and am on the board of directors for Stanislaus Audubon.  But the information presented in this blog has been obtained through a lifetime of personal experience exploring the great outdoors, and lots and lots of reading!  

I am not an expert, and I certainly don't have all the answers; there is more to learn every day.  I apologize if a fact is accidentally misrepresented and I gladly welcome correction.  This is, after all, intended to be a learning experience for everyone!



Contact me: siera_nystrom@yahoo.com

Comments

  1. North Yuba NaturalistOctober 18, 2019 at 12:54 PM

    Hi Siera,

    Thanks so much for your compliments on my blog! So glad you enjoy it! I also double checked those photos of what I thought were River Otters, and I think you're right! Wow! Their heads aren't as massive, and the whiskers and nostrils aren't so pronounced like they are on otters! They were in the same area where I've seen River Otters, so that's what I assumed they were! I've never seen any live minks ever! How exciting its that!!! Thank you so much for your input! I really really appreciate it! I have more photos of the Mink family, but don't see a way to send them to you! If you're interested in seeing them, just let me know! Thanks again!

    Katie (North Yuba Naturalist)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siera NystromOctober 20, 2019 at 9:56 AM

      Hi Katie!

      You're very welcome! I see river otters fairly regularly, but have never seen a mink in the wild before - but in your photos I noticed their smaller, more pointy pink noses right away (as opposed to the otters' broad, flat, black nose). What a terrific find, and great photos!! If you'd like to get in touch, my email is siera_nystrom@yahoo.com.
      I am really enjoying your blog. Keep up the great work! :)

      Siera

      Delete

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