Friday, July 30, 2021

Hot & Smoky

Sierra Buttes - 7/29/21

For the past two weeks we've had heavy smoke from the Dixie/Jarbo Gap Fire coming into our area. Yesterday, the smoke was so thick that you could just barely discern the silhouette of the Sierra Buttes! The fire has burned over 240,595 acres, and is in its 16th day. 6,079 people are actively engaged in attempts to contain it, but do they not expect to succeed until August 13. This fire is threatening many small rural communities, as well as numerous historical and Native American sites.  Incredible damage has already been sustained by the local railroads.  Our heartfelt thanks go out to the firefighters that are risking their lives daily, in their courageous battle against wildfire.  

North Yuba River - 7/26/21

I am so grateful that there aren't any wildfires in our immediate area.  
However, the smoke has restricted our ability to be outdoors.  

The following information about the effects of wildfire smoke on human health is from the Placer County Public Health and Air Pollution Control District, "Poor air quality from wildfire smoke has the potential to cause negative health impacts, particularly for sensitive groups and when exposure is prolonged. Smoke contains very tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. While all people may experience varying degrees of symptoms, the more sensitive individuals – such as young, aged and those with respiratory conditions – are at greatest risk of experiencing serious symptoms. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, coughing, watery and itchy eyes, headache, scratchy throat, and difficulty in breathing.

If you can see or smell smoke, avoid all unnecessary outdoor activities, especially if you are in an area where visibility is greatly reduced."


Rain, Rain, come on down.....

North Yuba River raindrop ripples and reflection - 7/27/21

Scattered Showers!

On Tuesday morning the temperatures had dropped, the smoke had mostly cleared, and the sky was overcast with a gray cloud cover!  The forecast was for a 40% chance of scattered showers, but a scant amount of rain.  I headed out that morning with my fingers crossed, and for several hours I wandered blissfully along the North Yuba River.  Every once in a while raindrops would fall creating ripples in the river, and unleashing that wonderful damp-earth fragrance.  It was fabulous!  I didn't see any Spotted Sandpipers or Common Mergansers, but a few other birds caught my attention! 

Black Phoebe (adult) - Sayornis nigricans

I haven't mentioned this before, but Black Phoebes are just as much a part of the river ecology as American Dippers!  I see them perched along the river every day. They are flycatchers, and spend most of their day hawking insects out of the air above the river.  The river has lots of insects flying and hovering above it, such as adult black flies, mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies, stoneflies, and midges. Phoebes eat flies, dragonflies, damselflies, moths, butterflies, bees, wasps, beetles, spiders, small fish, as well as fruits and berries in the winter. Black Phoebes are typically non-social and solitary, except during breeding season. Their nests are made out of mud mixed with plant material, or even horse hair, and cemented to a vertical wall (like a swallow). On several occasions I've seen them feeding their young on the river shoreline! They prefer to live near water. They are year-round residents in our neighborhood, and do not migrate.  

Western Wood Pewee (adult) - Contopus sordidulus

About a month ago, I spotted this Western Wood Pewee on her nest.  Unfortunately, no nestlings ever hatched.  I suspect it was the extremely hot weather that made that clutch fail.  This week I was on the same stretch of the river, but on the other side, and watched a Western Wood Pewee (probably the same one) fly into a tree and not come out.  I carefully searched with my telephoto lens and spotted her on a new nest!  Wow!!! I'll bet it's the same pewee!  The new nest is just a tree away from the old nest, but it's on the shady side of the tree!  I was so excited!  I'm so hopeful that this clutch is successful! 

 Violet-green Swallow feathers (male) - Violet-green Swallows (male/female)  
Tachycineta thalassina

On that same morning, there were several hundred Violet-green Swallows perched on the power lines over the river! The Cornell Ornithology Lab states, "These birds are often highly gregarious during foraging, migration, and when away from their nests, and flocks of several hundred birds are commonly observed in these contexts."  So apparently it's not uncommon to see them together in a large group! I just hadn't seen that before! They feed exclusively on flying insects, including true bugs, bees, wasps, ants and beetles. The males are beautifully colored with green and violet feathers. The females are a drab grayish-brown. Both males and females have white throats, breasts, and bellies. They do not stay here year-round. Their winters are spent in southern Mexico.

Violet-green Swallow (male) - Tachycineta thalassina

I was able to get photos of the feathers of a male Violet-green Swallow, because my sister sent me a dead one she found on her property.  It is totally dried out with all its feathers intact!  I was sorry that it had died, but was thrilled to see its beautiful feathers up close.  Such beauty!

Red-shouldered Hawk (juvenile) - Buteo lineatus

As I was walking across the bridge that morning, I noticed a bird land on the river shore. It then flew up into a small tree on the river bank and stayed there a while searching for prey. I quickly zoomed in with my camera, and was delighted to see that it was a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk!  I hadn't seen one in our neighborhood for months. Typically they live in lower elevations, but have increased their range up into our area. Riparian areas are their preferred habitat. Red-shouldered Hawks eat reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and occasionally birds, such as Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, and Starlings. Their feathering is so striking and beautifully patterned! Such beauty!

Cumulonimbus Cloud

Sometimes in the morning, we are blessed with smoke-free air and beautiful clouds before the smoke arrives.  I've been missing clouds!  Clouds create such beauty when they fill the sky. The shadows they cast can create such dramatic lighting on the landscape. Even when they form a uniform overcast, the soft, even light they create is beautiful. I don't know much about clouds so I did some research and here's what I learned!

Altocumulus undulatus clouds

The following information is from https://scijinks.gov/rain/.

"Clouds form from water or ice that has evaporated from Earth’s surface, or from plants that give off water and oxygen as a product of photosynthesis. When it evaporates—that is, rises from Earth’s surface into the atmosphere—water is in the form of a gas, water vapor. Water vapor turns into clouds when it cools and condenses—that is, turns back into liquid water or ice. In order to condense, the water vapor must have a solid to glom onto. This solid “seed” may be a speck of dust or pollen, or a drop of water or crystal of ice. Dew is water vapor that has condensed back onto Earth’s surface—on grass or a car’s windshield, for example. In the cloud, with more water condensing onto other water droplets, the droplets grow. When they get too heavy to stay suspended in the cloud, even with updrafts within the cloud, they fall to Earth as rain. If the air in the cloud is below the freezing point (32 °F or 0 °C), ice crystals form; if the air all the way down to the ground is also freezing or below, you get snow."

Cirrus uncinus ("horsetail") clouds

The following information is from https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/clouds/cloud-types.

"Most clouds can be divided into groups (high/middle/low) based on the height of the cloud's base above the Earth's surface. Other clouds are grouped not by their height, but by their unique characteristics.

The highest clouds are formed above 18,000' and are called Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrostratus. The mid-level clouds are formed between 6,000' and 20,000' and are called Altocumulus and Altostratus. The low-level clouds are formed below 6,000' and are called Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus, and Nimbostratus. The lowest clouds are called Fog! Thunderheads build up vertically from near ground level to 50,000,and are called Cumulonimbus."

The forecast is for a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms today, but luckily we haven't heard any thunder or seen any lightning. If you're out in stormy weather, avoid high exposed places and AVOID shelter in caves or under lone trees. To estimate the number of miles to a lightning strike, count the seconds between the lightning flash and the thunderclap and divide by five: thus ten seconds is 2 miles away!!

Rain spattered river rocks

More Damp Earth Art!

Wildfires and wind are a constant worry these days. It is turning into a devastating, early fire season already. Anytime I think of it, I think about rain, rain, rain. My intention is to focus on the need for rain, and through collective positive energy invoke rain to fall. It is just a wish, a thought, and a hope. If you would like to submit some rain inspired art, or writing, or a photo please email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Check out what's already been submitted at dampearthart.blogspot.com

You can view what was submitted last year at dampearth.blogspot.com.
I will be posting new art weekly. Check it out and pray for rain!

The foam around these rocks isn't whitewater! 
It's billions of fluff-covered, female, willow seeds! Wow!

What's happening in the local ponds?

Is anything blooming at the lower elevations?

What's happening down in the garden?

Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!

Unfortunately you can no longer sign up to get my blog emailed to you.
Something changed at Blogspot.com. Oh well... However, my blog looks better if you just go to northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, rather than get the emailed version. I suggest that you just bookmark my blog and visit it every Sunday afternoon!

Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks! 

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Back in the Lakes Basin

Sierra Buttes and glacial striations

I've been on many hikes in the Lakes Basin in the past month, including Helgrammite Lakes, Hidden Lake, Haskell Peak, Round Lake Loop, Tamarack Lake, Gold & Little Gold Lake, Squaw Lake, and the Yuba Pass area. This week's blog will give you a glimpse of all the beauty I've seen recently!  Late yesterday afternoon, the smoke from the Dixie Fire arrived and obscured the view.  It may be a while before I can hike in the Lakes Basin again.  Hopefully, rain will come and help put out the fires.   

Smoky Sierra Buttes

Thanks go to all the super hard-working firefighters that are putting their lives on-the-line day after day.  Rain, rain, come on down...

Sooty Grouse (female - juvenile) - Dendragapus fuliginosus

Lakes Basin Bird Sightings

There are lots of birds up in the Lakes Basin right now.  On one of my most recent hikes we came across a large, female Sooty Grouse with three juveniles!  Wow!  She was making lots of alarm calls to her young, and possibly to attract our attention!  I couldn't believe how boldly she displayed herself, while her young scurried through the bushes!  The young were about half her size, and were making little calls themselves.  Again I was astounded how camouflaged they were!  We watched her for a couple of minutes, until she flew off after her offspring!  What a great sighting!

Mountain Bluebird (male) - Black-backed Woodpecker (?) - Western Tanager (male)
 Sialia currucoides - Picoides arcticus - Piranga ludoviciana

Another amazing bird sighting, was a Black-backed Woodpecker!  It was really far away, so I didn't get a good photo, but it was wonderful to see.  These uncommon birds prefer to live in burnt forests, where wood boring insects are usually plentiful after a fire. Unfortunately, since burnt trees are commercially harvested these days, their population has alarmingly declined.  This is the third time I've seen a Black-backed Woodpecker in the Lakes Basin!  WOW!!!

White-headed Woodpecker (female) - Dryobates albolarvatus

To my delight I saw four White-headed Woodpeckers flitting around in some pine trees. One of them landed on a large pinecone and spent some time hammering out a seed! How lucky I was to watch this uncommon woodpecker at work! 

White-headed Woodpeckers are found year-round ONLY in mixed coniferous forests dominated by pines, in the mountains of far western North America, from south-central British Columbia to southern California, and no where else in the world! They usually nest in dead, large conifers. Both the male and the female excavate the nest, incubate the eggs, feed the nestlings, and care for the fledglings. Unlike most woodpeckers, their main food is pine seeds from cones, as well as insects and their larvae! 

Oregon Sidalcea - Sildalcea oregana

At higher elevations, along the borders of lakes and streams, and in some still-wet meadows, a lot of wildflowers are still blooming!  Here's photos of some of the flowers I've seen over the past month!  Enjoy!

Sierra Primrose - Primula suffrutescens 

Every year, my friend Nancy and I hike up to see the Sierra Primroses.  Our favorite spot is on the side of a mountain around 7,000' in elevation, where the snow lingers and keeps the ground wet.  The primroses cascade down this steep slope, side by side with thousands of Lady Ferns!  It is a sight to see!

Sugar Stick (in various stages of bloom) - Allotropa virgata

Just last week, my friends, Les & Peggy, and I hiked up to an old growth Red Fir forest where I had seen one Sugar Stick in bloom last year. This year we found around 100 of them in bloom!  WOW!!!  They were a lot shorter than the one I saw last year, mainly growing in small clusters, and in various stages of bloom!  Once we recognized them, we realized that they were scattered all over the forest floor!  Being dark navy-blue and maroon, they were highly camouflaged.  We didn't see any in their prime flowering stage.  Most of them were drying out and going to seed.  Although they aren't considered rare, they are definitely uncommon.  My friends had never seen them before, and Peggy is a botanist!  The following quote is from the California Native Plant Society book, Wildflowers of Nevada & Placer Counties, California.  "Consider yourself lucky if you come across this rare and striking wildflower."  We are SO lucky!

It turns out that these plants are in the same plant family (Heath - Ericaceae) as Snow Plants and Pinedrops, and do not produce chlorophyll.  They are mycoheterotrophs, and are parasitic on the mycelia of fungi, specifically Matsutake fungus mycelium!   
 
Corn Lily - Veratrum californicum

At the lower elevations, most of the Corn Lilies failed to bloom this year.  Yesterday, I came across this high-elevation, wet-meadow that was a cascade of blooming Corn Lilies! I was astounded by the beauty!  Such an abundance of grace!

Seep-spring Arnica - Western Ladies Tresses - Porterella
Arnica longifolia - Spiranthes porrifolia - Porterella canulosa

Whorled Penstemon - Penstemon heterodoxus

Triantha/False Asphodel - Leopard Lily - Corn Lily
Triantha occidentalis - Lilium pardalinum - Veratrum californicum

Scarlet Gilia - Ipomopsis aggregata 

Western Wallflower - Bog Wintergreen - Tinker's Penny
Erysimum capitatum ssp. perenne - Pyrola asarifolia - Hypericum anagalloides

North Yuba River - 7/22/21

A Hot Afternoon on the North Yuba River

Most afternoons, if I have time, I head down to the North Yuba River.  I cool off in the water, and sit and watch whatever happens by.  It is one of my most absolute favorite things to do!  This week I didn't see any mammals in the river, but there was a nice variety of birds present and a few surprising plants!

Belted Kingfisher (male) - Osprey (adult)
Megaceryle alcyon - Pandion haliateus

This week two Belted Kingfishers and one Osprey have been perching on the river!  They are probably the same ones that I've seen on the river over the years!
I hope they find fish to eat in the low water of the river!

Spotted Sandpiper (juvenile - adult, breeding)
Actitis macularius
 
An adult Spotted Sandpiper spent an afternoon warning me away from its two offspring.  It would fly close, land on a rock, teeter back and forth, and call loudly to me.  I got the warning and stayed far distant from the juvenile sandpipers.  Luckily with my telephoto lens, I caught a few photos of them.  They were definitely tiny, super camouflaged, and lacked any spots on their breast feathers.  How fun!

Willow Catkins (male - female) - California Fuschia
Salix sp. - Epilobium canum

The willows along the river are in full bloom.  The air has lots of "fluff" floating in it from these plants.  

Surprisingly the California Fuschias were blooming on the super-heated, exposed river rocks this week!  They are one of my absolute favorite flowers.  A few years ago the scientific community renamed them to Epilobium canum, and discarded their old name Zauschneria californica.  My friend Nancy and I still fondly call them "Zauschneria", for some reason it's a plant name than lingers!

North Yuba River in smoke

More Damp Earth Art!

The smoke from the Dixie Fire found its way to our neighborhood this morning. I sure hope they keep it from burning into Quincy, Taylorsville, and Greenville, as well as several other small towns.  Rain and thunderstorms are predicted in that area later this week.  Let's hope they get some good downpours. Wildfires and wind are a constant worry these days.  It is turning into a devastating, early fire season already. Our daytime temperatures are in the 90's, but at least at night it's been getting down into the 50's, which is a relief. A slight chance of rain and thundershowers is predicted for later this coming week.  Hopefully if it rains it pours, and lightning will be minimal. Anytime I think of it, I focus on rain, rain, rain. My intention is to focus on the need for rain, and through collective positive energy invoke rain to fall. It is just a wish, a thought, and a hope. If you would like to submit some rain inspired art, or writing, or a photo please email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Check out what's already been submitted at dampearthart.blogspot.com

You can view what was submitted last year at dampearth.blogspot.com.
I will be posting new art weekly. Check it out and pray for rain!


What is the "foam" around these rocks?

What's happening in the ponds I visited last winter?

Is anything blooming at the lower elevations?

Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!

Unfortunately you can no longer sign up to get my blog emailed to you.
Something changed at Blogspot.com. Oh well... However, my blog looks better if you just go to northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, rather than get the emailed version. I suggest that you just bookmark my blog and visit it every Sunday afternoon!

Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks!

Friday, July 16, 2021

Too Busy to Blog!

Indian Rhubarb behind a Waterfall!

There's so much going on I can barely keep up with it all!  I'm taking a break from blogging this week, but I'll be back next weekend.  In the meantime, find somewhere cool to escape this HOT weather!  Personally, I'm heading to the river!

What's happening in the ponds I visited last winter?

What's happening in the Lakes Basin?

Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!

Unfortunately you can no longer sign up to get my blog emailed to you.
Something changed at Blogspot.com. Oh well... However, my blog looks better if you just go to northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, rather than get the emailed version. I suggest that you just bookmark my blog and visit it every Sunday afternoon!

Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks!
 

Friday, July 9, 2021

The North Yuba River

The North Yuba River - 7/5/21

Almost every day I wander along the North Yuba River in our neighborhood.  This week I saw an amazing variety of wildlife in the river, including mammals, waterfowl, crustaceans, and insects!  I feel so privileged to have this river of life right outside my door!  It is a constant source of beauty and surprise!  During this unprecedented spell of HOT weather, it is also a cooling and refreshing refuge. 

This summer the river is very low. The river widens and slows down where we live, so the underwater river rocks are covered in sediment which algae will soon take over. We haven't had a high-water for two years, which would normally scour and clean the river rocks. However, the willows along the river are thriving because they haven't been dislodged by the force of a normal high-water. Everything is changing all the time. We'll just have to wait and see what climate change brings.  In the meantime, I treasure all the beauty I see and experience every day!

Common Merganser female with 8 ducklings - Mergus merganser

River Waterfowl!

I've been watching two different female Mergansers and their ducklings on the river, for more than a month now.  One group of ducklings is older and bigger than the other group.  Amazingly, none of the ducklings have gone "missing" and each family still has 8 members!  Usually, several ducklings get eaten by predators, such as otters, minks, foxes, and possibly hawks and herons!  I saw both groups from our bridge this week!  Such beauty!

Male mergansers do not participate in the incubation of the eggs or the raising of the ducklings. Although the male and female form a pair bond that may last from December until Spring (usually a much shorter length of time), the male departs soon after the eggs are laid. The female alone raises the ducklings. The female will guide and protect her offspring for approximately 30-50 days, and then leaves them on their own.  At that point they are more than capable of taking care of themselves.  Soon after, when they are around 60-75 days old, they are able to fly and migrate to lower elevations for the winter.  

Common Merganser female with 8 ducklings - Mergus merganser

This is the older group of ducklings, and they appear to be almost full-grown, and identical to their mother!  They are probably not all females.  When their first mating season happens, the males will molt into their black and white feathers.  Until then, it is difficult to distinguish what sex they are.

Great Blue Heron and two River Otters!
Ardea herodias - Lontra canadensis

River Mammals!

Just last Tuesday my husband and I spotted two River Otters on our morning walk!  WOW!!!  At first they were swimming across a large pool-like section of the river and we could just see their heads popping up.  All of a sudden they swam to shore and scrambled up a rocky bank together.  Something was attracting their attention!  You can see their humped backs and long tails in the top left corner of the above photo.  They only stayed on land for a few seconds before they re-entered the river.  Simultaneously a Great-blue Heron landed right near them!


Great Blue Heron and a River Otter!
Ardea herodias - Lontra canadensis

Once they got back into the river they started swimming over to where the Great Blue Heron was standing!  These two otters were a mother and its offspring.  Adult male and female River Otters only get together briefly to mate, and do not hunt or swim together. 
 
Two River Otters! - Lontra canadensis

The heron took off and the River Otters climbed up on the rock it had been standing on!  (You can just see the burred head and tail of the second otter right behind the body of the otter in the foreground)  They sniffed all over, and then slid back into the river.  We then watched them swim up-river, where they fed underwater for several minutes.  Before long they were heading further up-river and out of sight!  The whole encounter lasted for 5 minutes!  My husband had never seen an otter out of the water before!   What an amazing sighting it was! 

Black Bear in the River! - Ursus americanus

A few mornings before we saw the River Otters, I happened to see a Black Bear crossing the river downriver from the bridge!  OH WOW!!!  I hadn't seen a Black Bear in more than a year!  About three years ago I saw a bear crossing the river in just the same spot!  Perhaps this was the same bear?  The sighting was brief, and only lasted for about 15 seconds!  The bear was swimming, getting out of the river, and walking behind the willows in the blink of an eye!  How lucky I was to happen across this beautiful, unusual sight!

Columbian Black-tailed Deer crossing the River!
Odocoileus hemionus columbianus

About and hour later I went back to the bridge on the off-chance that the bear might be crossing the river again, and to my surprise there was a buck crossing the river!  OH WOW AGAIN!!!  It was crossing further downriver than the bear, where the water is shallow enough to wade across.  It's antlers were covered in velvet.  This sighting was a little longer, but only about 30 seconds long.  Again, what a lucky sighting!  Such beauty!

California Giant Stonefly exuvia - adult - Pteronarcys californica 

On the stems of the Indian Rhubarb plants that line the river, I recently found lots of California Giant Stonefly exuvia!  These are about half again as big than the numerous Shortwing Stonefly exuvia (Claassenia sabulosa) you can find on the river rocks.  There were about 20 of these exuvia on the plant stems!  They are quite large, about 2" long including their tail filaments!  I had never seen them before!  Stoneflies will live underwater for 1-3 years as nymphs.  When it's time for them to molt and emerge out as adults, they will climb out of the water onto plant stems or rocks.  As their exuvia dries, the back will split open and they will pull their fully developed adult body out of the exuvia, pump up their wings and fly away.  It can take several hours for this process to be completed.  As adults, California Giant Stoneflies communicate by drumming their abdomen on the branch or ground. The males call the females, who often respond with their own drumming. The pair sing or drum for a while in a duet that often ends in mating. The female may lay her eggs right away or live for a while in the riparian zone and lay her eggs later.

Signal Crayfish (youth) - Small Minnow Mayfly (adult)
 Pacifastucus leniusculus - Callibaetis spp.
 
 I don't often see crayfish in the river, mainly because they come out from under the rocks at night, when I'm not on the river.  I do find parts of them from time to time, obvious leftovers from some animal's dinner!  My neighbors have a pond with crayfish in them, and this week they showed me a tiny, tiny little crayfish they had caught!  It was exactly like an adult only, half an inch long!  It will take 2-3 years for this tiny one to become an adult!  They said that there were lots and lots of them in their pond.  Every once in while, a River Otter visits their pond and feasts on their adult crayfish!

This tiny adult mayfly won't live for very long, as it has no mouth parts.  They too live as underwater nymphs.  As adults their sole purpose is to mate!

Black-headed Grosbeak - Pheucticus melanocephalus

A Cherry Festival!

For two full days this past week, pigeons and songbirds devoured the last of the cherries in our neighborhood.  A lot of non-native volunteer cherries grow here, and the birds just LOVE them!  Some of the cherries ripened a month ago, but a particular yellow-pink variety apparently just ripened to perfection!  The main consumers were Band-tailed Pigeons, but there were also lots of Black-headed Grosbeaks, Robins, Western Tanagers, and Bullock's Orioles feasting on the cherries.  To my delight there were many juvenile birds eating along with the adults!  


Their constant chattering and movement was fascinating to watch and hear!
I was enchanted for hours!  It was just beautiful!  

This week's Clouds!

More Damp Earth Art!

It was once again TOO hot this week, over 100° for days! At least at night it's been getting down into the 60's, which is a relief. No rain is in the forecast, but anytime I think of it, I focus on rain, rain, rain. My intention is to focus on the need for rain, and through collective positive energy invoke rain to fall. It is just a wish, a thought, and a hope. If you would like to submit some rain inspired art, or writing, or a photo please email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Check out what's already been submitted at dampearthart.blogspot.com

You can view what was submitted last year at dampearth.blogspot.com.
I will be posting new art weekly. Check it out and pray for rain!


What's happening in the Lakes Basin?

Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!

Unfortunately you can no longer sign up to get my blog emailed to you.
Something changed at Blogspot.com. Oh well... However, my blog looks better if you just go to northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, rather than get the emailed version. I suggest that you just bookmark my blog and visit it every Sunday afternoon!

Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks!