Natural History Journal

Springtime wetlands in California's Great Central Valley resound with birdsong, a cacophony of beautiful and often strange sounds that can only be attributed to the wide diversity of avian life found here.  Take for example the maniacal laughter of the Pied-billed Grebe , the liquid "plumping" call of the American Bittern , the descending whinny of the secretive Sora , and the abrasive metallic screech of the Yellow-headed Blackbird .  Underpinning all of these weird wetlands sounds, you are also likely to hear another: the incessant, insect-like chatter of the Marsh Wren ( Cistothorus palustris ). If you're new to birding, or maybe new to exploring our beautiful wetlands at all, the tiny Marsh Wren is a bird you might not be familiar with.  They are small, quick, almost constantly in motion, and tend to keep to the shelter of reeds.  In short, they are more often heard than seen and many visitors to wetland areas never know they exist. But exist they d...

I realize that with each new season, I have a tendency to gush about why that particular time of year is the most beautiful, special, wonderful, etc.  In the summer, my affection is easily won during trips to the Sierra Nevada, where long hours of sunlight, balmy temperatures and the scent of warm pines on the breeze woo hikers and campers.  In the autumn, as the winds change and leaves begin to turn brilliant colors, I am awed by blazing aspens in the mountains, mellow golden woodlands and the return of certain birds.  Winter sees the Sierra under snow while the Central Valley is blanketed by tule fog and heavy gray skies, but wonder awaits in the wetlands of the Valley where tens of thousands of overwintering waterfowl provide a winged spectacle like no other.   But the spring - oh, the spring! - the spring season is when the wild lands come  joyously to life again, bursting into glorious color and song as wildflowers carpet meadows and hills, and my...

Last weekend, geology professor and fellow natural history blogger Garry Hayes (of  Geotripper  and Geotripper's California Birds ) graciously invited me to tag along as he led Modesto Junior College's geology club through Del Puerto Canyon and millions of years of geologic history.  I happily accepted, eager to ride along to a place known for its excellent geology, birding and wildflower displays, hoping to gain a few more nuggets of knowledge to help round out my somewhat rudimentary understanding of California's geology, which I've been working on acquiring piecemeal over the last several years. Professor of geology, Garry Hayes, in one of a geologist's favorite places: a road cut.  Here in Del Puerto, he is pointing to the fault line between the Great Valley Sequence to the right (east) and the Coast Range Ophiolite to the left (west). I am far, far from having a comprehensive understanding of California's geology, but I continue to read books, study ...

A few days ago , I wrote about the many natural wonders found at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, from mighty oaks and delicate wildflowers, to endangered insects and mammals, and California's only species of turtle!  But the Central Valley's largest block of restored riparian is also home to a wide array of my favorite winged wonders: birds. For many of us, birds are the main draw to wild places like the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge.  While river otters are certainly cute and butterflies are beautiful, it is the mystery and accessibility of birds that keep us coming back time and time again, earning the title "birders."   A walk along the level, looping, four-mile Pelican Nature Trail ( click here for a map ) affords birders of all ages and skill levels the chance to pass through various habitats and encounter a wide array of birds.  Visit several times a year, from the foggy depths of winter  to the golden sunshine of...

We're experiencing a beautiful spring here in California's Great Central Valley, with an abundance of water, wildflowers, and more butterflies than I've ever seen at one time!  One of my favorite places close to home to get out and explore a small piece of the Central Valley's grassland, wetland and riparian forests is the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge.  A walk through its varied habitats is always an enjoyable experience, but there is something special about visiting during the spring. The San Joaquin River For those interested in botany, the looping, four-mile Pelican Nature Trail leads visitors through a mosaic of restored habitats, from upland vegetation to wetland and riparian plant communities where thousands of planted willows, oaks and cottonwoods are growing and thriving. View across restored riparian floodplain habitat toward the Coast Range. Native elderberry shrubs and wild roses are in bloom now, along with naturalized tree tob...