Naturalist’s Notebook: Gopher Tricks
Many predators have an eye out for Botta’s pocket gophers.
Why California Can’t Tell You Where It’s Unsafe to Swim
For most lakes and rivers, the state’s official map of fecal bacterial contamination shows data that’s more than a year old.
LATEST STORIES
The Conversations We Don’t Have About Safety Outdoors
History instructs Black Americans to fear the outdoors. But creating new memories outside will inform our future.
A Night Out With the Cosmic Wild Ducks
Catching the view through the telescopes, and a communal vibe, at the monthly stargazing meetup at Rush Ranch Open Space Preserve in Solano County.
A ‘Super’ El Niño Is Here. What Does It Mean for the Bay Area?
Experts are bracing for big storm surges and king tides, flooding, and a host of impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. But more rainfall isn’t guaranteed, actually.
Get Bay Nature’s free weekly newsletter
Tunitas Creek: A New Beach Park Is Opening in San Mateo
A beach to visit for the geology, along with the views.
IN SEASON IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ask the Naturalist: Why Do Dragonflies Swarm?
What causes dragonflies to take flight in swarms of thousands or millions?
Yellowjackets—Bane of the Picnic, Builder of Hidden Kingdoms
These bold insects live in complex underground matriarchies that are seriously metal.
On the Fence
The recovery of the nearly extinct Tule Elk has become a dilemma for the park service, ranchers, and environmentalists at Point Reyes.
Staff picks
Visit the Yolo Bypass for A Highway, a Wetland and 250,000 Bats
The Yolo Causeway is more than just link between here and there. It’s the summer residence of a thriving colony of Mexican free-tailed bats.
Tactical Pooping, and Other Ways Birds Survive Summer
Here’s a look at how birds beat the heat along with some ways you can help. As SFBBO researcher Katie LaBarbera says, “these are birds trying to survive in the crevices in our world.”
Hither and Slither: How to Find Bay Area Snakes
For nature lovers seeking a challenge, finding a rare snake is deeply rewarding. “Snake hunting is the new birdwatching,” says one expert.
Ranch Recreation: Camping Out on Working Lands in Western Sonoma
In the “middle space” between protected and unprotected, a reporter finds a perfect place to camp.
