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Category Archives: animals
Solar Eclipse 2017: Life Responds | California Academy of Sciences
In case the clouds part and you want to experience the eclipse in Golden Gate Park, here’s a citizen science project that you can participate in, thanks to the California Academy of Science: “The next solar eclipse is crossing the … Continue reading
Whoa Nelly! Horses go on joy ride in SF’s Golden Gate Park – San Francisco Chronicle
Nearly two dozen horses escaped from a stable and hoofed it through Golden Gate Park in San Francisco early Wednesday, sending park rangers on an impromptu roundup. Twenty-three horses bolted about 5 a.m. from a corral at the Bercut Equitation … Continue reading
Posted in animals, recreation
Tagged golden gate park, horses in golden gate park, recreation in golden gate park
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Volunteers helping visitors spot Blue Herons and their chicks in Golden Gate Park | abc7news.com
“SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Volunteers are helping visitors spot Blue Herons and their chicks in Golden Gate Park over the next few weeks. The nests at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park have seen 179 herons over the years. They … Continue reading
Posted in animals, birds, wildlife
Tagged birds nesting, birds of golden gate park, golden gate park, great blue herons
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Saddle Up: City Pilots Guided Horse Rides In Golden Gate And McLaren Parks | Hoodline
“Hold your horses, San Francisco: this news will likely stirrup some excitement. Beginning today, SF Rec and Park is offering horseback rides to the public in Golden Gate Park. The department is exploring the feasibility of guided horse rides in two … Continue reading
Posted in animals, recreation
Tagged golden gate park, horses in the park, urban parks
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Getting To Know The Great Horned Owls Of Golden Gate Park | Hoodline
A great article about Great Horned Owls in Golden Gate Park: Living near Golden Gate Park means getting used to nocturnal wildlife encounters, whether it’s raccoons, skunks or the occasional coyote. But there’s another neighborhood animal that’s more often heard than seen: … Continue reading
Posted in animals, birds, urban ecology, wildlife
Tagged birds of golden gate park, great horned owl, urban ecology, urban wildlife
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Some Snags at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park
As both an artist and a naturalist I’m drawn to the dead trees on the islands in Stow Lake. Their skeletal remains stand out dramatically against the sky and they exemplify the natural life cycles in the park. Heavy with ivy, nasturtium and other creeping … Continue reading
Posted in animals, arts, birds, insects, plants, trees/urban forest, urban ecology, wildlife
Tagged art in golden gate park, golden gate park, urban ecology, urban evolution, urban forest, urban wildlife
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blackbird attacks pedestrians in Golden Gate Park
A fairly common bird in Golden Gate Park, the Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is easily recognizable by it’s bright yellow eyes and blue-black plumage. The iridescent blue-green sheen of the male is gorgeous in the sunlight, belying the dull-sounding “blackbird.” Often lined … Continue reading
butterflies in golden gate park: anise swallowtail
I have been noticing butterflies in the park lately. This Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) was flitting around a patch of yarrow and sticky monkey flower near the reservoir above the falls on Strawberry Hill this past week, while I was busy sketching a … Continue reading
Posted in animals, insects, wildlife
Tagged butterflies, golden gate park, native plants, urban ecology, urban parks, urban wildlife
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zen in golden gate park: the art of nature journaling
Recently I spent a week in the Sierras “nature-journaling” with John Muir Laws: http://www.johnmuirlaws.com If you aren’t familiar with Jack Laws, I highly recommend getting to know him. Whenever I’m in the Sierras I depend on The Laws Field Guide … Continue reading
red tailed hawk on strawberry hill in golden gate park
This weekend, on another sketching expedition in Golden Gate Park, I spotted a young red tailed hawk in a tree just at eye level on Strawberry Hill. It paid no attention to me. Barrel-chested and looking mighty puffed-up, with a haughty affect like a brigadier general, it … Continue reading
Posted in animals, birds, wildlife
Tagged birds of golden gate park, golden gate park, nature journaling, urban ecology, urban parks, urban wildlife
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golden gate park: views from the thicket 