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. See you next Season!
September 22, 2012
Thank you to all of you who have followed our High Country Notebook for its inaugural season. This will be our last post until the summer of 2013. Mather Musings: Rockpiles
September 15, 2012
Millions are drawn to Yosemite each year to enjoy stunning views of natural scenery. Some visitors create unnatural additions by stacking piles of small granite rocks. Mather Musings: Life and Death in the Mountains
September 15, 2012
A battle involving a wasp, a bee, and an ant....a grisly tug-o-war. Roadside Naturalist: Fire Danger Signs
September 15, 2012
As visitors enter Yosemite National Park, they are confronted with large signs that describe the current fire danger level. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Jerusalem Cricket
September 15, 2012
Take a peek at this unusual insect known as the Jerusalem cricket. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Fallen Green Cones of the Giant Sequoia
September 15, 2012
Gusty 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: Balloons
September 15, 2012
Ever 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 Season
September 15, 2012
For some rangers, specific plants may mark the nearing of the end of the season in the high country. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Long-tailed weasel
September 15, 2012
This solitary long-tailed weasel was seen on the trail at Lyell Canyon about five miles in from the Tioga Road. Check it out! Mather Musings: Illegal Fire Rings and Campsites
September 08, 2012
Volunteers were busy in the high country this week on a wilderness restoration project near Tuolumne Meadows. The small crew was looking for illegal fire rings and campsites. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Marmot is returned to Yosemite!
September 08, 2012
Marmot is returned to Yosemite after hitchhiking to San Jose. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Angulate Orbweaver
September 08, 2012
An 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 Beetle
September 08, 2012
Did 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? Roadside Naturalist: Effects of the Mono Winds
September 08, 2012
Have you noticed a lot of downed trees near the Mono Pass Trailhead this past season? Dramatic evidence of the regional phenomenon known as the Mono Winds can be seen just off the Tioga road near this area. Mather Musings: Wolf Lichen and Snow
September 08, 2012
Learn more about these ornate, chartreuse, fuzzy-from-a-distance growths on branches and trunks of trees. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Blooming on the Trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake (selected photos)
September 01, 2012
Blooming on the Trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake (selected photos) Wildflowers of White Wolf: Flowers Seen Blooming this Season (full list)
September 01, 2012
This will be the last update for wildflowers along the Lukens Lake Trail for the season. About 70 different species of plants were seen blooming, identified and recorded between early July and late August, with quite a number of Aster Family members (and some others) not included for lack of time to key them out. At this point, most of the flowers have gone to fruit (and many into the stomachs of animals fattening up for the winter). Here is a list of all recorded species. Mather Musings: Stop Looking At Your Feet – Lessons from the Alpine Mammal Survey, Part Two
September 01, 2012
Hiking in Yosemite is a great way to see the park. More than 94% of this park is designated wilderness and there are many adventures and great views to be had. Hiking will take you off the road, but you still won’t see much of Yosemite if you are staring at your feet. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Monkeyflower Research
September 01, 2012
Although we’re nearing the end of a lovely wildflower season in the high country, a few monkeyflowers, especially the primrose monkeyflower, are still hanging on. A woman named Kelly Carscadden has been engaged in some fascinating research. After bombarding her with a lot of questions, she agreed to send some pictures and write up some notes about her research to share here. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - August 25, 2012
September 01, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on August 25 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. If you’re in the White Wolf area and see a flower in bloom along the trail that we don’t have listed, we would love to have your help in keeping our list as complete as possible. A great way to let us know of your find is to talk to a White Wolf ranger at one of our free ranger-guided programs listed in the Yosemite Guide newspaper. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Yellowjackets
September 01, 2012
Yellowjackets have become very common throughout the Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat Campgrounds. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Sooty Grouse and the Alpine Mammal Survey
August 25, 2012
A 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 Seedlings
August 25, 2012
Learn 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 Butterfly
August 25, 2012
Learn more about these sightings from the middle fork of the Tuolumne River and near Lukens Lake. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Coyote
August 25, 2012
Learn more about recent sightings of coyotes near the Hodgdon Meadow Campground. Roadside Naturalist: "Speeding Kills Bears" Signs
August 25, 2012
Learn more about the important "Speeding Kills Bears" signs that you may see during your visit to Yosemite. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - August 18, 2012
August 25, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on August 18 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. If you’re in the White Wolf area and see a flower in bloom along the trail that we don’t have listed, we would love to have your help in keeping our list as complete as possible. A great way to let us know of your find is to talk to a White Wolf ranger at one of our free ranger-guided programs listed in the Yosemite Guide newspaper. Mather Musings: Lessons from the Alpine Mammal Study, Part One
August 25, 2012
As we travel through Yosemite National Park, most of us will be trying to fit in as much as we can. In a park the size of Yosemite, it can be overwhelming to try to see it all. Just the same, we will be rushing from one scenic vista to another in an effort to make our limited vacation time go further. There is another way to experience Yosemite, but you have to slow down. Bird Monitoring and Research: July 31 - August 5, 2012
August 18, 2012
This is the last summer's bird monitoring and research update for 2012 as we are done with research for the summer. Check out the year-end tables. Bird Monitoring and Research: About the MAPS project in Yosemite
August 18, 2012
Bird banding stations in Yosemite are cooperatively run by The Institute for Bird Populations and National Park Service personnel. They are part of the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program which include a continent-wide network of over 500 constant-effort mist netting stations. The Yosemite stations are some of the longest-running MAPS stations in the country! Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - August 13, 2012
August 18, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on August 13 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. If you’re in the White Wolf area and see a flower in bloom along the trail that we don’t have listed, we would love to have your help in keeping our list as complete as possible. A great way to let us know of your find is to talk to a White Wolf ranger at one of our free ranger-guided programs listed in the Yosemite Guide newspaper. Mather Musings: Burls
August 18, 2012
A burl is a rounded growth on the trunk or branch of a tree. Learn more... Roadside Naturalist: Pearly Everlasting
August 18, 2012
Dense clusters of white flowers can be seen right now along the side of the road between Crane Flat and White Wolf. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Dog Vomit Slime Mold
August 18, 2012
Dog 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 Count
August 18, 2012
Learn 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 Warbler
August 11, 2012
Great week for sightings of butterflies and moths as well as a Yellow-rumped warbler! Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - August 5, 2012
August 11, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on August 5 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. If you’re in the White Wolf area and see a flower in bloom along the trail that we don’t have listed, we would love to have your help in keeping our list as complete as possible. A great way to let us know of your find is to talk to a White Wolf ranger at one of our free ranger-guided programs listed in the Yosemite Guide newspaper. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Sierra Gentian, Crimson Columbine, and Giant Mountain Larkspur
August 11, 2012
Although the wildflower season is coming to an end, there has been a nice variety of wildflowers still seen in and around the White Wolf area - check out these recent sightings! Wildlife and Other Sightings: California Grey Squirrel, Ponderosa Pine, and Sugar Pine
August 11, 2012
What 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 Butterfly
August 04, 2012
July 29, 2012: On the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake Bird Monitoring and Research: July 20-26, 2012
August 04, 2012
The numbers of birds processed are up by nearly 16% this year. This is probably due to a correlation between low snowpack levels and high avian productivity. Yosemite got about 30% of its average snowpack this year which means that bird populations should be having more offspring. We were definitely seeing this in the nets this period where 3 out of every 4 birds processed had hatched this year. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Golden Digger Wasps & Feathers
August 04, 2012
Learn 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 Primrose
August 04, 2012
Check out this ranger's recent sightings in and around the northwest part of Yosemite. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Western Whiptail, Gilbert's Skink....
August 04, 2012
Check out some great wildlife sightings from this week in the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite. Roadside Naturalist: Scarlet Gilia, August 4, 2012
August 04, 2012
A member of the phlox family, these brightly colored flowers were blooming along the roadside this week. Roadside Naturalist: A lot of great sightings from the past week!
August 04, 2012
Check out these roadside sightings from the week of July 29 - Paintbrush, coneflowers, and more! Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - July 29, 2012
August 04, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on July 29 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Photo Series
July 26, 2012
The White Wolf/Lukens Lake area is a botanically-diverse and simultaneously accessible part of the park. Here’s a taste of what we see blooming along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake this week… Wildlife and Other Sightings: Long-stalked Starwort
July 26, 2012
Don't miss learning about this amazing and tiny little flower! Wildlife and Other Sightings: Fringed Pine Sap
July 26, 2012
Fringed Pine Sap is a sparingly occurring saprophyte in Yosemite, which grows at elevations of 1200-2450 meters in the dry forest humus in the mixed conifer and montane zones. Check it out! Wildlife and Other Sightings: Mousetail Ivesia & Snowplant
July 15, 2012
Mousetail Ivesia is in full bloom on North Dome. Snowplant is also visible along the trail to North Dome. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Bighorn Sheep
July 27, 2012
Learn more about a survey that was done to inventory the remaining populations of Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis) in the Sierra Nevada and the herd they sighted just outside the park boundaries to the Northeast. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Sierra Ensatina
July 26, 2012
While turning a log in Hodgdon Meadow campground (for a bear foraging demonstration on a ranger-led program), a Sierra Ensatina salamander was revealed. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - July 23, 2012
July 26, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on July 23 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. If you’re in the White Wolf area and see a flower in bloom along the trail that we don’t have listed, we would love to have your help in keeping our list as complete as possible. A great way to let us know of your find is to talk to a White Wolf ranger at one of our free ranger-guided programs listed in the Yosemite Guide newspaper. Mather Musings: "Snow Knee" Tree
July 15, 2012
Check out this unique tree along the trail to North Dome from Porcupine Creek. Mather Musings: What's Under Foot?
July 15, 2012
Many interesting geologic features may be found in the High Country of Yosemite. Mather Musings: Horsetail or Scouring Rush
July 19, 2012
You might be familiar with Yosemite’s Sequoia’s having a fossil lineage that goes back to the dinosaurs (80 million years ago), but there is a plant in Yosemite that has a lineage that goes back even further to the time when vertebrates were just starting to move onto land (300 million years ago!). Bird Monitoring and Research: Summer 2012
July 05, 2012
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. Wildflowers of White Wolf: Species List - July 15, 2012
July 26, 2012
Species (by family) seen blooming on July 15 along the trail from White Wolf to Lukens Lake. If you’re in the White Wolf area and see a flower in bloom along the trail that we don’t have listed, we would love to have your help in keeping our list as complete as possible. A great way to let us know of your find is to talk to a White Wolf ranger at one of our free ranger-guided programs listed in the Yosemite Guide newspaper. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Southern Alligator Lizard
July 15, 2012
Learn more about alligator lizards with this recent sighting. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Coyote...Ravens...and Sierra Dome Spiders
July 15, 2012
The 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. Bird Monitoring and Research: July 10-16, 2012
July 26, 2012
Birds are beginning to fledge at the middle elevations of Yosemite and most of the birds caught at Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat had recently hatched. This included twelve Anna’s Hummingbirds and many Nashville Warblers and Orange-crowned Warblers. The meadows at higher elevations should begin to increase in activity soon. Roadside Naturalist: July 14 - 15, 2012
July 15, 2012
Check out these roadside sightings on July 14-15, 2012 along the Big Oak Flat Road between the Big Oak Flat Entrance and Yosemite Valley. Wildlife and Other Sightings: Mule Deer
July 27, 2012
Learn more about Mule deer (Odocoilus hermionus) |
Last updated: August 6, 2012