This is from 7K in CA. If you heard this, what would you think? If you guessed common nighthawk you win the prize package. It's wind in a dive moving through the feathers of male nighthawks. It's both to impress females and intimidate threats. And it carries a long way. Sounds like a mammal. Crazy

There's a condition that's growing in wild birds called Avian Keratin Disorder. It's caused by a virus and results in abnormal keratin growth in beaks. Often leads to death. This guy ("Beaker" of course) started showing up for feeds and I've seen other Stellar Jays let it eat first. Pretty cool.

The "hiker look" is now urban but if you want to really pull it off: Snot stains on the wrist of your jacket Tenacious tape covering rips on your down  Nothing is new, clean or matches Trucker hat from a gear company Your scent is wood smoke and sweat Some will cringe. Hikers will say Hi :)

A California Primer. It's California. Not Cali. It's the Sierra or Sierra Mountains. Not the Sierras. It's Northern California. Not NorCal. (It is SoCal) It's San Francisco. Not Frisco. It's the ocean or the Pacific. Not the sea. "The" comes before highway numbers. It's Newsom. Not Newsome. 😁👍

Remember Tiffany Slaton? Who survived for three weeks in the Sierra with a knife and a lighter? According to the Sheriff of Fresno County, who oversaw the operation, she was lying. Real outdoors people knew it immediately. But big media ran with it. And there won't be a follow up. That's wrong.

According to the awesome Alt National Park Service, 13.1 million people took part in No Kings Day protests around the nation. "So far, 71 MAGA agitators have been arrested, with 62 additional investigations still underway." Out of 13 million people? Well done America. We've got this.

Dusky-footed woodrats live in CA and parts of OR. Their multi-storied houses can get up to five feet tall and most often built around trees. They're usually occupied by one woodrat and includes a nursery, food storage and "bathrooms." This is at about 7.5K feet and not a large one. Cheap rent.

Watermelon snow, which I believe only happens between 10K and 12K from Utah to the west, is caused by a green algae. It creates a red pigment to protect itself from the sun and can actually speed snow melt. There's also a slight, sweet scent. This is at about 11.5K in the Sierra. #MountainMonday

If you're in California you should learn about Poodle dog bush. It can bite much harder than poison oak or ivy. Only grows in areas following a wildfire between about 3.5 and 7.5K. It lives for about 5-10 years and then goes dormant until the next fire. Pretty flowers but do NOT pet the poodle!

Spring and summer is rattlesnake mating season so keep your eyes open and you might get lucky. Came across a mating ritual while hiking with the female watching close by. The males rise up and try to push the other down to establish dominance and the right to mate. A long battle and fascinating.

Coyotes have a bad rap and it's totally undeserved. Nothing to fear. Ever hear what sounds like a big pack? Or a "kill?" Nope. It's the "Beau Geste Effect." They can quickly change their vocalizations (about 12) to make it sound like there's more than there are. Awesome animals. Great neighbors

Want to make sure you never leave anything behind that you pull from a pack or bag? An old backpacker taught me this. Never fails. When you leave take three steps. Not two or four. Three. Then turn around and check. Think about it and do it every time. Soon it becomes automatic. It really works.

If hiking, backpacking or any activity in National Parks, Forests or BLM is on your radar, and you want to be kept abreast of the attacks on our public lands, Alt National Park Service is the call. Launched in Trump's first term by park rangers. They're fighting the fight. bsky.app/profile/altn...

Roughly 130 million Americans over the age of 16 read below a sixth grade level. Around 36% of registered voters couldn't take a minute to check some boxes and drop a prepaid envelope in the mail. Or they voted "look at me" third party. So blame the media for Trump? Nah. Blame "us."

A great note just popped up on Twitter. (Never X). Your account is deactivated Sorry to see you go. #GoodBye Are ya'? Me too. For different reasons. I could feel the toxicity escaping through my pores when I clicked "Deactivate." A good feeling. Might reactivate just to deactivate again.