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Category Archives: wildlife
great horned owl
“The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was first seen in the Virginia colonies, so its species name was created from the Latinised form of the name of this territory (originally named for Queen Elizabeth I, the “Virgin Queen”). The first published … Continue reading
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owl sighting on strawberry hill
Last night, arriving at the top of Strawberry Hill in Stow Lake at dusk, just in time to catch the last pink and orange of the sunset, I heard a characteristic, throaty “who-whoooooo.” Several people were standing around, under a … Continue reading
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musing in the tea garden
The Japanese Tea Garden is now a study in fall color. Like the first layer of watercolor wash applied with a brush to paper, the saturation is variable throughout the garden now, with a spot or two of brilliant red, … Continue reading
Posted in fall foliage, trees/urban forest, wildlife
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roof-top environmental science
Last Sunday, braving the steady drizzle and chilly temperature, six citizen scientists took part in an on-going science project on the roof of the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Academy Naturalist Alana Hysert oversees monthly monitoring of plants, … Continue reading
Posted in california academy of sciences, wildlife
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why sparrows change their tunes
Wild Neighbors: The Baptista Tapes: Why Sparrows Change Their Tunes. Category: Columns from The Berkeley Daily Planet.
Posted in california academy of sciences, people, wildlife
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bison and sparrows
Along the fence of the bison paddock in Golden Gate Park a group of volunteers has been installing new planting designed to attract white crowned sparrows. Now that’s a contrast for you; what could link these huge beasts to these … Continue reading
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bird walk
We met at 8 a.m., the first Sunday of the month, in front of the Botanical Garden, about thirty sleepy people with binoculars around our necks. The San Francisco Audubon Society offers monthly bird walks in the Botanical Garden, led … Continue reading
golden gate park: views from the thicket 