Jakalof Bay Jakalof was a small beach surrounded by Sitka Spruce and snow-capped mountains. Dune grass and cow parsnip grew from the ground while lichens hung from the branches of trees. Small islands surrounded the beach, some of which became accessible by foot when the tide was low enough. We unloaded the kayaks and then …
Read more “Part 2: My Experience on an Inspiring Girls* Expedition”
Homer → Kasitsna Bay Laboratory Inspiring Girls* Expeditions is a free summer expedition for girls and gender nonconforming youth ages 16-18 to explore STEM and art topics while learning outdoor skills in the backcountry. Expeditions are 12 days and take place all over the world, including multiple U.S. states, Canada, New Zealand, Kyrgyzstan, Austria, and …
Read more “Part 1: My Experience on an Inspiring Girls* Expedition”
I recently got the pleasure of meeting Dr. Young Ha Suh when she came and visited the Zuma Canyon Bird Banding Station in December. Young, a recent PhD graduate for her study in the behavioral ecology of Florida Scrub-Jays at Cornell University, was recently hired as the new ornithology collections manager at the Natural History …
Read more “An Interview with Ornithologist Dr. Young Ha Suh“
When I went to visit Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge with my young birders group a few weeks ago, I knew that we would have the wonderful opportunity of talking with biologists and park rangers who work with California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) on a daily basis. It was there that I once again crossed paths …
Read more “An Interview with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Park Ranger Daniel Cook”
Today, my birding group and I went to visit Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Kern County, California. The refuge, a former ranch, is a grassland habitat located at the foothills of the southwestern San Joaquin Valley. The land has historically been inhabited my the Chumash peoples who have used the area as a major …
Read more “Meeting California Condors at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge”
For me, having the fortune of living in a neighborhood with wildlife is an incredible experience! In fact, moving to the neighborhood I’m in now was probably a catalyst for my wildlife interests. My neighbors and I get the pleasure of sharing our area with Bobcats, Coyotes, California Mule Deer, Striped Racers (Masticophis lateralis), a …
Earth Day is April 22!!! While the extravagant celebration and activism may be limited to just this one day, every day really is a day to celebrate this planet we call home! Looking for ways to harness your inner environmental activist? Try this Earth Day bingo I created! For some examples of how to get …
Read more “Celebrate Earth Day With These Eco-friendly Actions!”
On April 3, 2022, Los Angeles Birders-Students joined a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist for California Condor Outreach at the L.A. Zoo. There, students including Bella, Thomas, and myself talked to hundreds of people about the amazing California Condor. Our parents and my younger sister participated in the outreach as well. (Quite) a Bit …
Read more “Volunteering at the L.A. Zoo: California Condor Outreach”
For anyone reading this blog post after the presentation was given, here is the link to the recording:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2stDn465AlE&list=PLh7t-m6ncxjVOXrv5Of_PCL2Iuju-kI_Q&index=6 As part of the Los Angeles Public Library’s Neighborhood Science initiative, three members of Los Angeles Birders-Students, including myself, are giving a presentation on L.A.’s rich biodiversity! The presentation is through Zoom and will begin at 4pm …
Read more “I’m giving a presentation on Los Angeles Biodiversity!”
Day 4 of the GBBC I will admit, I did not document any bird sightings on February 21. The weather was extremely cloudy and cold by my California standards (around 55ºF). Not many birds were out as they were probably staying warm. I wasn’t sure how many layers I’d have to put on and I …
Read more “Great Backyard Bird Count 2022: Day 4 and Reflections”
Organized by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a global four day event in which people all over can enjoy the beauty of nature and birds. GBBC is an excellent way to contribute to community science while getting to know your local bird …
Read more “February 18-21 is the Great Backyard Bird Count!”
November 21, 2021 Today, my family and I visited the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair in Pasadena to buy some local art and support my good friend Lily Yllescas. I originally met Lily though Pasadena Audubon Society, and we are both part of the non-profit organizations Los Angeles Birders and Los Angeles Birders-Students. Lily is a …
In the year 2020, about 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally , an estimated 685,000 women died of breast cancer in 2020. Please take action by donating to breast cancer research and educating others! Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world.Visit https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer for more information!Visit https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/facts-statistics/breast-cancer-statistics/ for some statistics.