July 17, 1922

Published weekly by the National Park Service Volume I July 17, 1922 Number 2 W. B. Lewis, Superintendent. Ansel F. Hall, Park Naturalist.

TWO ARRIVALS IN YOSEMITE VALLEY

Two new plants appeared in Yosemite Valley this season. A Prickly Poppy, which is common on the desert east of the Sierra, and a water-loving Knotweed. This Knotweed, or Polygonum, which is the handsomest of its tribe, has taken possession of the swamp back of the Pillsbury Studio and now lifts dense clusters of bright pink flowers above the water grasses. No doubt the seeds of the Poppy were carried in over the Tioga Road with some auto party last summer. It is to be hoped that this lone cousin of the Matilija Poppy may start a colony.

MARIPOSA LILIES

The Mariposa Lily is one of California's most famous flowers. In the Yosemite Valley there are three species. A small white one comes in May and is soon lost in the rapidly growing grass. During June the pale flowers of the Nuttall Mariposa are abundant in the meadows. When this Mariposa is gone Venustus, the beautiful, lifts delicately tinted lilies above the tall meadow grass. Mariposa is a Spanish name meaning butterfly.

BLACK-EYED SUSAN

One of the most showy and most interesting flowers now blooming in the fields about the Valley is the Black-eyed Susan. This plant is a native of the Mississippi Valley, but owing to its ability to adapt itself to conditions brought about by civilization it has managed to hobo its way both east and west and is now a common flower over most of the United States. It has also found its way into European flower gardens and now travelers from distant lands may meet here in the Valley an old friend. The wide range of Black-eyed Susan coupled with her loveliness tends to make her a general favorite.

YOSEMITE RELIEF MODEL BEING PAINTED

Great interest is being manifested by the public in the painting of the large relief model of Yosemite Valley which may be seen at the Yosemite Museum. The topography is represented on so large a scale that the actual views may be obtained by sighting over the various points. All trails and roads will be represented as soon as the scenic effects are reproduced in natural color.

LIVE RATTLESNAKE MAY BE SEEN AT MUSEUM

A live rattlesnake, captured by Mr. Robins at Waterwheel Falls, may be seen at the Museum. Five other species of Yosemite snakes are also in captivity, and will be shown on request to any visitors.

MULE DEER OFTEN SEEN

Mule deer are often to be seen near the public camps. A fawn, lost from its mother, was recently taken to the Rangers' Clubhouse where it has found a good home. It should be remembered that this is the only species of deer found in the Park. Six specimens of the Valley Elk, a former abundant resident of the San Joaquin Valley are to be found in a paddock north of the Museum. These animals are displayed through the interest of the California Academy of Science which has been interested in saving the small remnant of this species to be found near Buttonwillow, Kern County.

MOLES AND GOPHERS IN THE VALLEY

Many burrowing animals are best known by their workings since they are seldom seen above ground. The earth mounds of both gophers and moles are often seen in the meadows. The familiar ridge left above the tunnels of the mole often helps in the identification of this animal. In the high country earth cores mark the winter work of the gopher when snow covers the ground.

Although the Western Tanager is a fairly common bird in the Valley it is not often that a nest is located. On one of the Nature Guide field trips last week a nest of this bird was located, and all had a fine chance to see the parent birds feed the young in the nest.

CHICKADEES COMMON AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS

The Mountain Chickadee with its clear whistled "O dearie" has been seldom seen or heard on the floor of the Valley this year. Those who take the trails to the higher country often ask about the song of this bird. A pair feeding young in the nest were located at Glacier Point.

WHAT IS THE BIRD ON CLOUD'S REST?

Nearly every hiker to Cloud's Rest meets a large jay-like bird gray, black, and white in color which cleans up the leftovers from lunches. This member of the jay family, which lives near timber line, is known as the Clarke Crow or Clarke Nutcracker. It was first discovered by the Lewis and Clarke Expedition to the Northwest.

MANY BIRDS DISPLAYING INTERESTING BEHAVIOR

The middle of July sees many deserted birds' nests and many young birds following their parents, calling for food. The food call of the Black-headed Grosbeak is often confusing to the bird student for it is very unlike the usual call of the adult.

CANYON WREN A BEAUTIFUL BIRD

As the season advances, bird students will hear the interesting song of the Canyon Wren, a bird that inhabits the rocky walls of the Valley. Its song is almost a chromatic scale, starting at a high pitch and descending by a series of slurs to a much lower pitch.

VIOLET GREEN SWALLOW NOW FEEDS OVER MEADOWS

One of the most brightly colored of the swallows summers in the Park. Many adults with young now feed over the meadows.

LARGEST OF WOODPECKERS SEEN

Several persons have been fortunate enough to see the Pileated Woodpecker or "Cock-of-the-Wood," the largest of our woodpeckers. The resounding call of the giant woodpecker should be a more familiar sound during the coming month.

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson