Category Archives: animals

all about animal life in the park, both wild and domestic

Last weekend, on the monthly bird walk in Golden Gate Park (meets at the main gate of the Botanical Garden at 8 a.m. on the first Sunday of every month), my favorite sighting was four ravens lined up sociably on a branch … Continue reading →

Posted on July 12, 2014 by fromthethicket | 3 Comments

weeds of golden gate park: nasturtium

Posted on June 26, 2014 by fromthethicket

A weed is “a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.”  Nasturtium is my favorite weed, of the many growing in golden gate park.   Its gray-green, disk-shaped leaves and bright orange-red-yellow flowers are … Continue reading →

Posted in blooming, plants, urban ecology, weeds | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

water in golden gate park: name that pond

Posted on June 23, 2014 by fromthethicket

A lovely pond just inside the Friend Gate in the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park is frequented by ducks and seagulls, stocked with large carp and home to turtles that particularly delight small children who were running around the verges and keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, san francisco botanical garden, trees/urban forest, wildlife | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Local Bird Catches Gold Fish Cracker in Golden Gate Park | SF Weekly

Posted on June 17, 2014 by fromthethicket

Thank you Jim Herd (and SF Weekly)  for this wonderful photo! “Oh, the unexpected things you will witness during a stroll in Golden Gate Park: teeny tiny tree houses, daytime robberies, and of course, urban birds living like a bunch … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, arts, birds, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Birder Visits Golden Gate Park, April 2014

Posted on April 25, 2014 by fromthethicket

A birder and photographer who goes by the name Redgannet visited Golden Gate Park this week and posted some lovely photographs of birds sighted, including this one of a Cormorant at Stow Lake. “Bird list for Stow Lake: Canada Goose 12, … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, birds, urban ecology, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Blue Heron Cam at Stow Lake (Bay Nature)

Posted on April 19, 2014 by fromthethicket

Nancy DeStafanis with her herons at Stow Lake, San Francisco. Photo courtesy of DeStefanis. A sign placed outside the Stow Lake Boathouse informs visitors of the variety of bird species that use the lake, such as the pied-billed grebe, Canadian … Continue reading →

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Golden Gate National Parks BioBlitz Reaches New Heights – National Geographic Society Press Room

Posted on April 1, 2014 by fromthethicket

I read this press release with delight and wondered how many species a BioBlitz would turn up in Golden Gate Park.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to compare? “SAN FRANCISCO (March 31, 2014)—After two intensive days of exploration and documentation, the Golden … Continue reading →

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Woodpeckers in Golden Gate Park?

Posted on January 10, 2014 by fromthethicket

Here’s a helpful article for identifying woodpeckers you may see in Golden Gate Park, especially now that winter makes them more visible (from the website Bay Nature). Which Species of Woodpecker Can You Find in Golden Gate Park?     by … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, birds, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

native plant strikes again

Posted on September 26, 2012 by fromthethicket

“Three San Francisco cops remain on disability after suffering “severe” reactions to poison oak during a Sept. 9 scuffle with a tree-branch-wielding homeless man in Golden Gate Park, police said Thursday.  The incident erupted about 9:15 a.m. when transient William … Continue reading →

Posted in fall foliage, health and safety, plants, san francisco botanical garden, urban ecology | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tell the difference between honey bees and bumble bees

Posted on September 13, 2012 by fromthethicket

A reader has pointed out that the bee I photographed in Golden Gate Park was probably a bumble bee, not a honey bee.  I posted the photo last week in a blog about Golden Gate Park honey.   That started me wondering … Continue reading →

Posted in urban ecology, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment