Tag Archives: Wildlife

The Wondrous Orange-Bellied Newt

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Jack Elliott

California orange bellied newt (Taricha torosa). One of the great indicators of seasonal change in the Santa Ynez Range of Santa Barbara is the arrival of orange bellied newts to mountain streams. They don’t always live in water. Newts spend … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged California Newt, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Outdoors, Pics, Salamander, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildlife | 9 Comments

Pronghorn, Carrizo Plain National Monument

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Jack Elliott

Pronghorn on the Carrizo Plain National Monument, March 1, 2017. “We were taught how the pioneers went into the West. They opened their eyes and made up what things could be. . . .People think there aren’t frontiers anymore. They … Continue reading →

Posted in San Luis Obispo County | Tagged Adventure, Carrizo Plain National Monument, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Photos, Pics, Pronghorn, Travel, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Gaviota Coast Gallivants: Then Came the Fox

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Jack Elliott

June 2016 I take the kids to the zoo. It’s not a place I can appreciate any longer, but granny bought us a family membership. So we go. The kids scamper through the prison camp, er, zoological garden with great delight. … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Foxes, Gaviota Coast, Hiking, Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Mammals, Nature, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildfire, Wildlife, Writing | 13 Comments

Tarantula Mating Season, Santa Barbara County

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Jack Elliott

No photos on this blog have ever been staged, but in the interest of honesty I’d like to note that this tarantula, found walking a few yards away, was placed atop this branch in order to allow a better snapshot. … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Hiking, Hiking (2), iPhoneography, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Outdoors, Santa Ynez Valley, Spiders, Tarantulas, Wildlife | 5 Comments

Scotland, Shifting Baseline Syndrome & Your Local Wilderness

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Jack Elliott

Glen Sannox as seen from Cir Mor Saddle, Isle of Arran, Scotland. Such scenic sweeping grassland is not natural, but in fact the result of human agency. “The British Isles, a Roman outpost located at the edge of European civilization, was … Continue reading →