It feels like forever since I’ve checked in on the cormorants at Natural Bridges. I simply haven’t had time to mosey down there, take a gajillion photos, and then deal with them on the computer. But today I thought I’d give myself until lunch time to play with photos and such, before I hit the…
Photography
Springtime in the sea and in the air
This week was my spring break, and although I have more than enough work to catch up on, I decided that each day I would spend a few hours doing something fun before or after getting stuck in with adult responsibilities. I didn’t set up formal plans, but knew I wanted to collect a plankton…
New kids on the rock
For the second year in a row (that I am aware of, anyway), the Brandt’s cormorants (Urile penicillatus) have claimed the last remaining arch at Natural Bridges as a breeding rookery. I remember being so excited at “discovering” them in 2021. Anyway, they’re back again, building piles of algae into nests. BTW, if you’re keeping…
Hoppenings at the beach
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve rented two super telephoto lenses, to see what all the hype was about. I mean, do I really need 500 or 600mm of reach? I had read up on the specs of such lenses, and one major drawback is the weight—1900 grams or more. Would I be willing…
The algae get sexy, again
Way back in 2015 I wrote about some Ulva that spawned in a bowl at the lab, and delved into the mysteries of reproduction in the green algae. This morning I was out at Franklin Point and saw this: I had seen the sea lettuces (Ulva spp.) spawning in these high pools at Franklin Point…
Weekend brunch
A utility pole across the street and one house down has, for years, been an object of interest for a variety of birds. The hairy and downy woodpeckers drum on it in the spring, and various songbirds hang out and rest on the top. About a month ago now I saw a raptor up there,…
Another 1000 words
For several weeks now I’ve been raising another batch of bat star (Patiria miniata) larvae, from a fortuitous spawning that occurred in early January. Since this is rather old hat by now I’m not diligently taking photos or drawing the larvae as often as I would have years ago when this kind of undertaking was…
A Walk in the Mountains
Another guest blog entry by my husband, Alex Johnson 22 September 2020Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park, Montana Thirty four years ago I worked as a seasonal employee in Glacier National Park. My first job – and my most favorite – was Information Desk Clerk. I found I loved sharing my enthusiasm for the park with…
NEOWISE
My best shot of the comet that has been hanging out near Earth over the past week or so: Technical details, for those who care about such things:
Hovering
We have all heard about hummingbirds and their ability to hover and fly backwards. These tiny feathered jewels are a delight to observe. They are birds of the New World, and I feel sorry for people living in parts of the world that don’t have hummingbirds. Where I live, on the coast of Northern California,…