High Country Notebook
About This BlogNOTE: This blog has been discontinued, however, future posts similar to these will appear in Yosemite Ranger Notes. Ranger-naturalists have been interpreting Yosemite and its natural and cultural treasures for visitors since its early days as a park. In this blog, some of Yosemite's High Country Naturalists share recent observations from areas north of Yosemite Valley. Topics focused on in the blog are: In Yosemite, especially in the high country, we have a unique opportunity to step beyond our cars and the chatter of our daily lives into the realm of the other than human world. The wilder life of animals, plants, fungi, rocks, and even air and water, is ever-changing and fascinating to pay closer attention to. With over 100 miles of paved roads within Yosemite National Park's boundaries, visitors can spend a great deal of time in their cars traveling around the park. Amid all of the grand scenery there are smaller natural wonders to appreciate as well. With a good eye and a few hints from us you can spot these things along the roadside, even while driving the speed limit. If you wish to stop, please do so only where parking is provided off the roadway. Yosemite National Park provides essential habitat for over 165 species of migrating, wintering, and breeding birds, in addition to nearly 100 species recorded as transient or vagrant. For nearly two decades, the breeding populations of songbirds in Yosemite have been studied in one of the longest continuous research projects in the Park. Each summer, from late May to early August, researchers work at bird banding stations throughout Yosemite. They collect valuable information about bird populations in Yosemite by capturing, banding, and then releasing birds following a strict scientific protocol. This year, this important work is being funded by the Yosemite Conservancy. The White Wolf area is a botanically-diverse and simultaneously accessible part of the park. We'll give you a taste of what we see blooming throughout the summer. Please help protect the flowers and plants by not picking flowers and staying on trails to observe them. The Mather District of Yosemite National Park includes such diverse areas as White Wolf, Hetch Hetchy, Crane Flat, May Lake, North Dome and Hodgdon Meadow. Here you'll find some collected thoughts of Ranger Naturalists working throughout this unique district. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Jerusalem Cricket
September 15, 2012
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Take a peek at this unusual insect known as the Jerusalem cricket. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Fallen Green Cones of the Giant SequoiaGusty winds recently caused many green giant sequoia cones to fall to the ground in the Tuolumne Grove and I noticed a Douglas squirrel carrying one away in its mouth. Learn more about how the tiny sequoia seeds disperse and germinate. Wildlife and Other Sightings: BalloonsEver wonder what happened to that balloon you let go of that floated high into the sky? It may have landed in Yosemite. Wildlife and Other Sightings: The End of the SeasonFor some rangers, specific plants may mark the nearing of the end of the season in the high country. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Marmot is returned to Yosemite!Marmot is returned to Yosemite after hitchhiking to San Jose. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Angulate OrbweaverAn angulate orbweaver has been making a home on the front porch of a ranger’s house in the Hogdgon Meadow employee housing area. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Convergent Lady BeetleDid you know that convergent lady beetles are the most common “ladybug” in the United states but they got their name for their habit of congregating by the thousands in places like the Sierra Nevada high country for a long hibernation? Wildlife and Other Sightings: YellowjacketsYellowjackets have become very common throughout the Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat Campgrounds. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Sooty Grouse and the Alpine Mammal SurveyA Sooty Grouse was spotted in the backcountry of Yosemite this week. Check it out! Also learn more about the Alpine Mammal Survey. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Dark Night Skies & Sequoia SeedlingsLearn more about dark night skies or giant sequoias from this high country naturalist's recent sightings. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Black-backed Woodpecker and Pine Grosbeaks, and the American Lady ButterflyLearn more about these sightings from the middle fork of the Tuolumne River and near Lukens Lake. Wildlife and Other Sightings: CoyoteLearn more about recent sightings of coyotes near the Hodgdon Meadow Campground. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Dog Vomit Slime MoldDog vomit slime mold is always an exciting find along the trail! Check it out.... Wildlife and Other Sightings: Robber Fly & Bumble Bee, plus the Tuolumne Area Butterfly CountLearn more about the Tuolumne Area Butterfly Count and some other interesting naturalist sightings, including a dramatic interaction between a Robber Fly and a Bumble Bee! Wildlife and Other Sightings: Butterflies & Moths, and Yellow-rumped WarblerGreat week for sightings of butterflies and moths as well as a Yellow-rumped warbler! Wildlife and Other Sightings: California Grey Squirrel, Ponderosa Pine, and Sugar PineWhat a curious sight – a pile of shredded pine cones scattered throughout the forest floor in the Hodgdon Meadows Campground! Who are the culprits? Wildlife and Other Sightings: Monarch ButterflyJuly 29, 2012: On the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake Wildlife and Other Sightings: Golden Digger Wasps & FeathersLearn about wasps visiting the Big Oak Flat area and about feathers you may see on the trails as birds begin to molt. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Evening PrimroseCheck out this ranger's recent sightings in and around the northwest part of Yosemite. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Western Whiptail, Gilbert's Skink....Check out some great wildlife sightings from this week in the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Long-stalked StarwortDon't miss learning about this amazing and tiny little flower! Wildlife and Other Sightings: Sierra EnsatinaWhile turning a log in Hodgdon Meadow campground (for a bear foraging demonstration on a ranger-led program), a Sierra Ensatina salamander was revealed. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Mousetail Ivesia & SnowplantMousetail Ivesia is in full bloom on North Dome. Snowplant is also visible along the trail to North Dome. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Southern Alligator LizardLearn more about alligator lizards with this recent sighting. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Coyote...Ravens...and Sierra Dome SpidersThe Hodgdon Meadow Campground sees plenty of visitors on a daily basis - learn more about regular visits from a coyote, a group of ravens, and the place where Sierra Dome Spiders make their homes. |
Did You Know?
When it opened to the public on May 29, 1926, the Yosemite Museum became the first museum building in the national park system, and its educational objectives served as a model for parks nationwide. It still functions much as it was originally intended, and currently exhibits items which mainly reflect the Native occupation of Yosemite Valley and its surroundings. When in the park, you can visit with one of three cultural demonstrators who primarily staff the Museum.