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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Mather Musings: Burls
August 18, 2012
A burl is a rounded growth on the trunk or branch of a tree. Learn more... Mather Musings: "Snow Knee" Tree
July 15, 2012
Check out this unique tree along the trail to North Dome from Porcupine Creek. 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!). |
Last updated: August 6, 2012