Articles
Interspecific Feeding: Why That Dark-eyed Junco is Raising a Cowbird
Dark-eyed juncos raising and feeding brown-headed cowbird juveniles are a common sight.
Hiking the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail
Available only by reservation, the 11-mile Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail hike offers coastal views, windswept Douglas-firs, and guided entry into a protected watershed.
Blue Birds in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Here are the four bird species in the Santa Cruz Mountains that are predominately blue.
Western Fence Lizards
Western fence lizards are common in Silicon Valley, often seen basking in the sun. Their blue bellies and quick push-ups are signs of territorial display.
Plants That Don’t use Photosynthesis in the Bay Area
Some Bay Area plants survive without photosynthesis, relying on host roots or fungi for nutrients—including rare albino redwoods and striped coralroot.
Guided Wildflower Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma
Spring weekend guided hikes at Máyyan 'Ooyákma–Coyote Ridge let visitors see native wildflowers, Bay checkerspot butterflies, and tule elk.
Birds in Flight: Great Egret Versus American White Pelican
Learn how to tell the difference between a great egret and an American white pelican in flight by examining their size, beaks, wings, and flight patterns.
Identifying Poison Oak Through the Seasons: A Hiker’s Guide
Learn how poison oak changes seasonally, and distinguish it from Himalayan blackberry to hike safely year-round.
How to Tell Scrub Jays from Steller’s Jays
Scrub jays or Steller’s jays? Learn how to identify these birds along Silicon Valley’s trails by sight, habitat, and calls.
Wildflowers in Silicon Valley
Open space preserves in the Silicon Valley are popular destinations for hikers wanting to see wildflower blooms in the spring.
