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Monthly Archives: March 2011
feeding feral cats in golden gate park
The definition of “wildlife” in urban parks is far from precise! Here’s an excerpt from a story by Matt Smith from SF Weekly that illustrates evolving urban ecology and some of the dilemmas that attend this evolution. “It’s 7 o’clock … Continue reading
Posted in people, urban ecology, wildlife
Tagged feral cats, golden gate park, urban parks, urban wildlife
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who really designed golden gate park?
Frederick Law Olmsted did not actually design Golden Gate Park, but given the many similarities between Golden Gate Park and Central Park in New York City (which Olmsted did design, famously!), I think he deserves a lot of the credit! … Continue reading
Posted in history, people
Tagged Frederick Law Olmsted, golden gate park, walk in the park
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report says closing roads increases park use
jfk drive on a sunday (photo: http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=JFK_Drive) It’s difficult to measure the public health benefits of urban parks, although intuitively we believe they must be good for our health and well-being. But some interesting statistics about Golden Gate Park are … Continue reading
Posted in health and safety, people, recreation
Tagged golden gate park, urban parks, walk in the park
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japanese tea garden in full bloom!
This week is prime time for viewing the Japanese Tea Garden in bloom. Everything is in bloom at once! And cherry blossoms, of course!
some gorgeous plein air paintings of golden gate park!
Cameron Chun lives in the Richmond, not far from Golden Gate Park. I think his paintings beautifully capture the park’s moods in various weather conditions. I particularly like how he paints the park’s trees . . . so much … Continue reading
a segway through golden gate park?
The Segway — a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle — has been appearing with increasing frequency in Golden Gate Park lately. I assume that the inventor of this device came up with the name by way of the word segue, which means: to … Continue reading
academy roof garden hosts diverse species
At a symposium last weekend at the Academy of Sciences, Alana Hysert, Academy Naturalist, reported some interesting preliminary data on the living roof. Recognizing the research and education potential of the new green roof, Hysert has been overseeing a citizen science … Continue reading
hunting wild animals in golden gate park in 1905
A full page, illustrated article in the Sunday, August 27, 1905 edition of the San Francisco Call celebrated the many animals housed in the park at that time. The “head keeper,” William Leland was in charge, and his duties including birthing … Continue reading
Posted in "lost" golden gate park, history, people, wildlife
Tagged golden gate park, urban wildlife
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mystery bird identified: western gull, Larus occidentalis
Mystery bird: western gull, Larus occidentalis This leucistic individual is difficult to ID, but after staring at this bird through a magnifying glass for 3 hours and comparing it with a hundred or so photographs, I think I’ve got it! … Continue reading
mystery bird in the park | Science | guardian.co.uk
Here’s a fun challenge from the UK! The bird is in Golden Gate Park: “This beautiful North American mystery bird is quite special when compared to its brothers and sisters — how? Complaints about yesterday’s mystery bird being ‘too easy’ … Continue reading
golden gate park: views from the thicket 