The Robin’s Nest – How to Identify Bird Nests: When we hike in nature, we only see the things we consider important. When I was studying to be a naturalist, each week’s guest lecturer would take us out … Continue Reading →
Free Entrance Days in Our National Parks 2022
Our National Parks are “America’s best idea.” Well here’s an even better one: Free Admission! Free Admission Every year, the National Parks Service offers free admission to all … Continue Reading →
Mountains Make Their Own Weather
This article contains affiliate links. In the school of the woods there is no graduation day. – Horace Kephart I had been rereading Kephart’s classic, Camping and … Continue Reading →
A Simple Way to Kill Mosquitos (Humor)
I’ve written before about the most effective mosquito repellents. And I’ve made jokes about how mosquitos relish the chance to dine on unwary campers. Today, I want to share … Continue Reading →
Wildlife Tracking Introduction (Video)
A major threat to wildlife is habitat fragmentation. This occurs when humans build structures like high-speed roads, which are impassible to animals. Animals are unable to cross these barriers … Continue Reading →
It’s The Little Things
At the start of the summer, I went for a hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains. These peaks form a ridge between the Pacific Ocean and California’s Silicon Valley. … Continue Reading →
Stylish Rangers (Funny)
Yes, rangers have a sense of humor! I work closely with California State Parks rangers and with members of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I sometimes marvel at … Continue Reading →
Deer Are So Much Fawn!
It’s early morning and I’m at Rancho Canada del Oro, in the foothills of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. The cloudless sky promises a hot June day. I gaze … Continue Reading →
I Saw a Whale While Hiking… And No, I haven’t Been Drinking!
It’s the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. And I thought I’d hit the trail early and beat the holiday crowd. It turns out the crowd had the same idea. … Continue Reading →
The Summit is Closed – Hiking with Cattle!
Conservation grazing is a grassland management tool that presents special challenges for hikers. Let’s talk about hiking with cows! Early Morning Hike I’m out for an early … Continue Reading →
Happy Bushcraft Valentine!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I saw this floating around the Internet and I thought the ladies out there might find this funny. If you love native plants and are looking … Continue Reading →