Exploring Nature in the San Francisco Bay Area
The burrowing owl requires only a few basic ingredients to survive urban settings but biologists say those needs are threatened by a new land exchange.
San Francisco State researcher John Hafernik noticed bees acting like zombies a few years ago. Now he’s traced the “zombee” infestation to its source: a mind-controlling parasitic fly.
Some of the area’s most amazing spiders are the ones you’re most likely to miss. With colorful appendages and a big pair of striking frontal eyes, the diminutive Habronattus genus of jumping spider might be one of the cutest, and most surprising, of Western arachnids.
After four years of consideration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced earlier this month that the ashy storm-petrel has been denied protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Mussel Rock Park has an uneven human and geologic history. That hasn’t stopped Oscar Porter from hiking there every day in search of extraordinary nature. He’s collected his photos of coyotes, birds and spiders on YouTube and in a book called Nature Under the Fog.
I’ve noticed lots of butterflies (moths?) in the Indian Valley Open Space area of Novato (oak forest). I haven’t seen this many in previous years. The butterflies are about the size of a nickel or quarter and are white. What kind of butterfly are they?
Independent, nonprofit environmental journalism connecting people with nature in the San Francisco Bay Area.
