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Category Archives: animals
coyotes in golden gate park
It seems we may be seeing coyotes more frequently in Golden Gate Park, according to this recent column by C.W. Nevius, for SF Gate: ‘Four years ago, the city was in a tizzy over coyotes. It culminated with two of … Continue reading
urban evolution right under our noses
by Carl Zimmer, New York Times, July 25, 2011 ‘Dr. Munshi-South has joined the ranks of a small but growing number of field biologists who study urban evolution — not the rise and fall of skyscrapers and neighborhoods, but the … Continue reading
Posted in plants, urban ecology, wildlife
Tagged golden gate park, invasive plants, urban ecology, urban evolution, urban parks
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New York Moves to Stop Foraging in City’s Parks
A recent article in the New York Times about foraging in city parks is food for thought. People collect mushrooms in Golden Gate Park (Google “picking wild mushrooms in golden gate park). Not sure what else. Here’s what’s going … Continue reading
Posted in eating, guerilla gardeners, plants, urban ecology
Tagged foraging in public parks, golden gate park, safety, urban parks
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quail in golden gate park
According to the Golden Gate Audubon Society web page: “The haunting call of the California Quail, the California State bird, is now rarely heard in Golden Gate Park. Historically, San Francisco’s streams and coastal scrub vegetation provided the food, cover, … Continue reading
horses and the founding of golden gate park
A horse actually played a key role in the founding of Golden Gate Park. The story goes like this: In the early 1870s, faced with the daunting task of establishing a vegetative cover on the sand dunes that had been … Continue reading
horse stable to open in central park
The following excerpt is from a recent article in the New York Times: ‘Central Park is laced with bridle paths and dotted with pastures, and its plants were once fertilized with manure. But though carriage horses trot through it, police … Continue reading
urban ecology: how native ants are faring in golden gate park
Have you been worrying about the health and safety of native ants in Golden Gate Park? I recently realized that maybe I should be paying more attention to these small creatures. This epiphany occurred after I read a scientific paper published … Continue reading
the vigor of weeds: got to admire them!
Working at the San Francisco Botanical Garden nursery, repotting native plants for the past few weeks in preparation for the annual plant sale, I’ve noticed a miniature battle going on in the pots. It’s actually the same battle that goes on … Continue reading
Posted in plants, san francisco botanical garden, urban ecology
Tagged golden gate park, invasive plants, native plants, urban parks
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great horned owl chicks wow birdwatchers
The following is excerpted from an article by Katie Worth in the San Francisco Examiner (4-9-11): “In the mottled light behind the trunk of a pine tree, four poofs with eyes huddle together. And they’re watching. Those poofs are in … Continue reading
Posted in urban ecology, wildlife
Tagged golden gate park, nature photography, urban wildlife, wildlife photography
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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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golden gate park: views from the thicket 