Tag Archives: urban wildlife

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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A Birder Visits Golden Gate Park, April 2014

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

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