Articles
California Scrub Jay vs. Steller’s Jay
Learn how to tell California scrub jays from Steller's jays by their appearance, habitat, calls, and behavior.
Ash-Throated Flycatchers in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Often heard before they are seen, ash-throated flycatchers are a summer visitor to the Santa Cruz Mountains' oak woodlands and grasslands.
Black-Headed Grosbeaks
With their rich, robin-like songs, black-headed grosbeaks are a familiar sound of spring in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Mass Butterfly Migrations
Thousands of California tortoiseshell butterflies are migrating across the Santa Cruz Mountains in a rare boom-year spectacle.
Blooming California Fetid Adderstongue
In February, look for the rare California fetid adderstongue blooming near the Bridle Trailhead at Thornewood Open Space Preserve.
Northern Harriers in the Silicon Valley
Northern Harriers are a familiar winter sight in Silicon Valley, flying low over wetlands and grasslands in search of prey.
What is That Turkey Vulture Doing?
Curious about turkey vultures overhead? This guide explains their kettling, feeding, and group behaviors seen across the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Things to Look For on Your Winter Hike
Cooler months bring fungi, bright berries, moving wildlife, and winter migrant birds to Santa Cruz Mountain hikes.
Fog Sipping Coastal Redwoods
The tallest trees in the world, the coastal redwood trees of Northern California, have a remarkable ability to use fog as a source of moisture.
Forest Bathing in the Coastal Redwoods
Coastal redwoods offer a unique blend of sensory, emotional, and physiological benefits that make them a wonderful place for forest bathing.
