Every now and then, the ocean sneaks up on the land, with a wave that’s bigger than all the rest. Scientists are working out where these dangerous waves come from.
Why Sneaker Waves Are So Insidious
November 17, 2022 •
Ask the Naturalist
What do you want to know about the natural world? Thanks to donations from readers like you, Bay Nature has teamed up with the naturalists at the California Center for Natural History to answer your questions about the world every other Tuesday. Some questions find their way to naturalist Michael Ellis, whose answers appear in our quarterly print magazine. Email us your questions at atn@baynature.org!
Michael Ellis Says Farewell With A Squawk, a Snort and a Whistle
October 10, 2022 •
Time to say adieu! I have relished researching and answering the questions that you all have sent in through the years.
Bay Area Wildlife Tracking 101
July 1, 2022 •
What are some of the first things I should look for when tracking animals? —Nick in Fremont I used to think I was a good tracker. I even taught classes, but the more I learned about tracking, the more I … Read more
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Shrews, Moles, and Shrew Moles?
April 4, 2022 •
A reader finds a dead small mammal. Is it a mole? A shrew? A shrew mole?
Why Do Skunks Dance?
January 11, 2022 •
There are two species of skunk in the Bay Area, the familiar striped skunk, and the less common spotted skunk.
When You Find a Feather, What Can It Teach You?
October 6, 2021 •
Currently, birds are the only creatures in existence that have feathers.
How Do Oak Trees Survive Fire?
June 23, 2021 •
As long as fires are not intense infernos, most oaks will survive them.
How do Birds Know Which Way to Migrate?
March 30, 2021 •
75 percent of the 650 birds that nest in North America migrate. Research new and old sheds light on how birds know where to go and how to get there.
What’s It Like Inside a Woodrat Nest?
January 3, 2021 •
What might seem like a haphazard assemblage of forest debris belies a very complicated interior design.
Do Sea Anemones Live Forever?
September 27, 2020 •
As long as they aren’t poisoned or eaten, sea anemones just keep on keeping on. But how?