The Topanga Fire, Part I: Rain, Wind and Fire
Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Nearly two weeks after the Topanga wildfire burned 24,000 acres of ecologically diverse Mediterranean habitat northwest of Los Angeles, the charred remains of thick chaparral continued to smolder. Around me black fingers of Yerba Santa, Ceonothus and Chokecherry projected from the barren earth, their skeletal remains reflecting the fury of the fire. Running through the stark landscape, it was hard to accept that fire is a much a part of the environment as the wind and the rain. Updated May 5, 2011 to include recovery photos from 5+ years after the fire.

Chaparral Snow
Saturday, March 11, 2006

This morning, at about 2000 ft. in the Simi Hills, periodic snow showers added a white accent to the black, brown, and greens of a landscape in the process of recovering from the Topanga Fire. The snow was wet, and not much was accumulating, but it was SNOW in March within a mile or two of the Simi and San Fernando Valleys.

Solar Eclipses, Saros Cycles and Chumash Rock Art
Thursday, August 15, 2002

The partial solar eclipse on June 10, 2002 was observed through much of the southwestern U.S., with up to 70% of the sun obscured in Southern California. How might this eclipse be related to Chumash rock art at Painted Cave, near Santa Barbara?

Mountain Lion Tracks
Friday, February 2, 2001

These mountain lion tracks show the round, clawless imprint typical of felines. A distinguishing characteristic of feline tracks is the bilobed front edge of the plantar pad.

Grinding Mortars & Water Holes
Monday, January 8, 2001

The challenge of finding water in Southern California's unpredictable climate.

Fish Kills
Monday, November 5, 2001

In early September, 2001, I was sitting on the bank of the Lower Kern River, downstream of the Borel Powerhouse, watching dead fish float by.

What Made This Track?
Monday, October 15, 2001

The most common tracks I see on trail runs are the footfalls of people, dogs, and coyotes. But anything that moves, or is propelled across the ground can make a track.

Ponds & Pictographs
Monday, February 19, 2001

Sometimes it is good not to have a plan. It leaves you free to follow intuition, impulse, and observation. One of the rewards can be unexpected discoveries or revelations.

California Prickly Phlox
Monday, January 1, 2001

One of the first flowers to greet me on excursions in the foothills of Southern California following the Winter Solstice and near the beginning of the New Year is California Prickly Phlox, Leptodactylon californicum Hook. & Arn.

Running in the Rain
Wednesday, January 24, 2001

Running, or walking, or just being outside in the rain is invigorating. Especially in Southern California.