How spiders take flight, without any wind to help.
Author Archives: John Muir Laws
Naturalist and illustrator John Muir Laws is the author of the Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada and Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide. Learn more and find class schedules at johnmuirlaws.com.
Summer Issue 2025
Naturalist’s Notebook: Beaver Bingo
Bay Area beavers are making a comeback. Here’s how to recognize they’ve been working in an area.
Spring Issue 2025
Naturalist’s Notebook: Disco Anemones
The sunburst anemone has two color morphs and a glowing reputation.
Winter Issue 2025
Naturalist’s Notebook: The Nuances of Yellow-Rumped Warblers
Yellow-rumped warblers are around in winter. But which variant are you seeing?
Fall Issue 2024
Naturalist’s Notebook: Making Waves
The next time you sit at the shore, ponder the physics crashing before you.
Spring Issue 2024
Naturalist’s Notebook: Where to See Lions
Distinguishing our northern fur seals, Steller sea lions, and California sea lions.
Winter Issue 2024
Naturalist’s Notebook: How to Keep Your Own Nature Journal
John Muir Laws gets meta.
Botany
Naturalist’s Notebook: How Salt Marsh Plants Cope With All the Salt
Meet the Salt Marsh 3, a trio of marsh plants specially adapted to live in the brine.
Summer Issue 2023
Naturalist’s Notebook: How Pelicans and Humpbacks Stretch For Their Food
Pelicans don’t, as you may have heard, stick their spines out of their mouths. They do, however, do some pretty crazy yawn-stretching. From John Muir Laws.
