During a recent visit to Yosemite National Park, CSERC Executive Director, John Buckley, was fortunate to see an unusual event called frazil ice below Yosemite Fall. This phenomenon is rare and only occurs about a dozen times each year in the early mornings when temperatures are below freezing and water flows are high. This most […]
Spring has sprung, and the wildflowers are returning! Its that time of year when everyone is eager to get outdoors, and what better way to get out and enjoy nature than a wildflower hike. As a self-professed plant nerd this is inarguably one of my favorite times of the year. The following list of hikes […]
After a surprisingly icy early March in the Sierra Nevada foothills, it seems we’re in for some temperate weather for the next few weeks. Spring is bursting into bloom across the foothills, with poppies and a variety of other wildflowers providing colorful displays. These photos […]
In honor of the adorably tiny ringtail observed at one of our recent wildlife camera stations, here’s a little bit about ringtails about how they came to be known as the “miner’s cat.” Often called a “ringtail cat”, these mammals are actually members of the raccoon […]
Whether you live in a big city, in the suburbs, or tucked away in a small community somewhere, the hustle and bustle of life gets to us all. This is when many of us often retreat to those activities that help us destress and provide mind-body-soul rejuvination. I bet you thought at this point I […]
Ever look out your window and see a dark-eyed junco foraging in the snow, or a spotted towhee (pictured right) sitting on a branch on a crisp, cold morning in January wondering how is he not frozen? Well, birds are actually equipped to handle almost anything nature throws at them, and have many adaptations to […]
If you want to reduce the environmental impact of your holiday, choose a real Christmas tree rather than an artificial one. Though this may come as a surprise, artificial trees have a much higher carbon footprint than real trees unless they are used for at least a decade. Better yet is to […]
As the weather grows colder and winter approaches, many outdoor enthusiasts may be looking for new places to explore. One often-overlooked area to visit as snow moves into the high Sierras lies down in the foothills — the Red Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern that is managed by the Bureau of […]
The rain season is beginning again, and that’s good news for newts! California and Sierra Newts tend to become more active with the increase in precipitation, venturing from their summer refuges in burrows, woody debris, and rock crevices, toward aquatic breeding sites. Interested in seeing one of central Sierra’s endemic species? These adorable amphibians may […]
Fall is upon us, but it is not too late to get out and experience the beauty of the Central Sierra Nevada. Although New England is renowned for its fall colors, the Sierra Nevada mountains also put on quite a show. In the high country, the fluttering leaves of the aspens have […]