Natural History Journal

In California's Great Central Valley, wildfires are not generally an imminent threat, surrounded as we are by acres and acres of irrigated farmland.  But that is not the case over much of California's grasslands, woodlands, forests, and chaparral ecosystems, all of which have evolved and adapted over the millennia to thrive with regular renewal by fire. Fire is an essential part of what makes California so very uniquely California . I, however, dislike wildfires.  My gut reaction in the face of what we perceive as "devastating" wildfires is one of grief: grief over the loss of life and the good green things of this world.  Much as I prefer to skip Tolkien's penultimate chapter in  The Return of the King , titled "The Scouring of the Shire," I would rather not dwell too much on wildfires and their ravaging forces.  (Aside: I totally get why Peter Jackson left out the scouring of the Shire when he made his trilogy of films!  But we can talk about that ...

With bright red heads and brilliant yellow bodies, Eric calls them "Popsicle Birds."  Western Tanagers ( Piranga ludoviciana ) are abundant in the mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada during the summer months, filling the canopy with their beautiful song.  (For a few weeks during migration, they can be seen in the Central Valley, particularly along riparian corridors.)  Though they are one of our most brilliantly colored songbirds and their voice is a staple part of any summer soundtrack in the Sierra, they tend to keep to the canopy and are not as frequently glimpsed as might be imagined.  You have to really want to see a Western Tanager - or just get lucky, like I did with this bird that was having a snack at our campsite's picnic table when we pulled in. While true tanagers are birds of the neo-tropics, Western Tanagers are more accurately placed in the Cardinal family, along with Grosbeaks and Buntings.  The Western Tan...

Western Azalea ( Rhododendron occidentale ) It's early October, and migratory birds are starting to show up in the Central Valley.  Dogwoods in the Sierra are starting to change into their autumn garb.  It's long past the prime season for wildflowers! But, before I get swept away by fall foliage and the arrival of some favorite long-absent birds, I want to share a collection of wildflower photos I took in July while botanizing and hiking at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Many of these plants are closely associated with wet meadows, critical habitats in the Sierra that support an abundant diversity of plants, as well as insect, small mammal and bird species. Leopard Lily ( Lilium pardalinum ) Richardson's Geranium ( Geranium richardsonii ) Draperia ( Draperia systyla )  Looks unimpressive, but is beautiful carpeting the floor of the forest    Mustang Clover ( Linanthus montanus ) Jeffrey ...