The Science Behind Nature - in Layperson Speak
In 2010, Carol Blaney moved with her family to Redlands CA from Yosemite National Park, where as an interpretive park ranger she worked with Yosemite’s stunning scenery as her backdrop. The transition was helped when Blaney came across Redland’s Herngt 'Aki' Preserve- formerly called Oakmont Park - …
Continue Reading about Great hikes: Herngt ‘Aki’ Preserve (Oakmont Park) in Redlands
Note: I've started a new category "Great Hikes" which features especially good hiking experiences in native habitat and wildlife (for now in Southern CA.) I tend to prefer hikes where I have the place to myself. Frankish Peak north of Upland CA satisfies that need, and a recent May late afternoon …
Continue Reading about Great Hikes: Steep but Satisfying Frankish Peak (Upland CA)
I just did a walk up to Caroline Park and luckily had my camera to capture the flowering natives, birds and bunnies. Caroline Park is a native plant park set aside in Redlands CA by Olivia Phelps (of the Phelps-Dodge family) in 1929 to honor her sister Caroline. While the many flowering plants in …
Continue Reading about Great Hikes: Caroline Park’s Lush Natives (Redlands CA)
Wow. Yesterday I wanted to go for a hike and headed to the Whitewater Preserve close to Palm Springs. The Whitewater River flows into dammed pools of water, which became a trout fishery for many years, but no hiking into the canyon was permitted. That is, until the Wildands Conservancy was able to …
Continue Reading about Great hikes: Desert Wildflowers (& why to support conservation efforts)
People in snowy climates are lucky in one regard - they can see great animal tracks after snowfalls. Here in So. California I need to drive a half hour up to the mountains. The last two times I've seen some interesting tracks in the snow. On yesterday's hike to a favorite area of mine (Jenks Lake …
Continue Reading about Animal Tracks: Bear, Coyotes and…. a robin
Note: this area was hit hard by the November 2018 Woolsey Fire. I've been afraid to go back, but plan to soon to document its recovery. My husband Tom and I were amazed with the mature stands of chaparral on a hike we took last week - the Mishe Mokwa trail in the Santa Monica Mountain National …
