World’s Smartest Molds
Watch out for these unusual creatures next time you’re walking in a wet forest.
Ask the Naturalist
Photosynthesis in Leaves That Aren’t Green
Q: How does photosynthesis occur in plants that are not obviously green, such as ornamental plum trees with deep purple-colored leaves? [Paul, Santa Cruz] A: Photosynthesis (which literally means “light...
Ask the Naturalist: Why Do Dragonflies Swarm?
What causes dragonflies to take flight in swarms of thousands or millions?
What native land snails live in the Bay Area?
Q: What native land snails live in the Bay Area? Where do the common garden snails come from, and what’s the status of our native snail populations? [Erica, Mountain View]...
Are native bees suffering the same colony collapse disorder as honeybees?
Q: Are native bees suffering the same “colony collapse disorder” as honeybees? [Linda, San Ramon] A: Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, has gotten a lot of media attention, and with...
Do local breeding birds mate for life?
Q: Do any local breeding birds mate for life? Why? [Leo, San Francisco] A: Some local birds do form long-lasting pair bonds of several different kinds. Ravens and scrub jay...
Why do mushrooms come in so many shapes and colors?
In technical terms, mushrooms are the charismatic sexual reproductive structures of fungal individuals whose main body (fine, cobweb-like filaments called hyphae) is well hidden in the soil or amongst leaves...
Do mockingbirds have their own specific song or are they mimicking other birds’ songs?
Northern mockingbirds, year-round residents of the Bay Area (having expanded their breeding range here after the arrival of European settlers), each develop their own songs. Similar to those of other...
Why is Autumn a Good Time to See Raptors in the Bay Area? Where is Best?
For many birds, autumn is a flurry of eating and movement to find stuff to eat, before winter sets in. The same is true for raptors and their prey. In...
