Naturalist’s Notebook: Gopher Tricks
Many predators have an eye out for Botta’s pocket gophers.
Climbing the Bay Area’s Geologic Past
Millions of years of slowly moving tectonic plates created a playground for rock climbers.
Ode to Summer Fog
It is the big gray gift from the ocean. Why does it appear?
The Camphor Tree
A big life, lived well, spreading wide, can mean so much.
Bay Nature Events
LATEST STORIES
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.
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.
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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 Russian River, a Slow Road to Good Fire
The Ukiah Valley is getting a $7M federal grant meant to help high-risk communities—and the landscapes surrounding them—become more fire-resilient. The Forest Service says prescribed fire is key. So why aren’t Ukiah and other grantees proposing to do more of it?
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.
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.
Why Are There So Many Fires, and Other Common California Wildfire Questions
Wildfires have become larger, more frequent, more severe, and more destructive to human life and property in many ecosystems in California in recent decades. If you’ve lived in California for a while, it might feel like this has suddenly become one of the biggest problems facing the state, and perhaps even a reason to leave.…
