August 11, 1925

Volume IV August 11, 1925 Number 12

A PERSONAL INVITATION. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK IS YOURS! WE OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WANT TO HELP YOU TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR PARK AND TO UNDERSTAND IT IN ITS EVERY MOOD. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING

SERVICE IS OFFERED TO YOU free BY YOUR GOVERNMENT: Visit the Yosemite Museum! Here you will learn the full story of the Park ---- what tools were used by the great Sculptor in carving this mighty granite-walled gorge; who lived here before the white man came; how the Days of Gold led to Yosemite's discovery; how the pioneers prepared the way for you; and how the birds and mammals and trees and flowers live together in congenial communities waiting to make your acquaintance. Plan your trail trips on the large scale models in the Geography Room. The Yosemite Library in the museum provides references on all phases of Yosemite history and natural history. Popular lectures on Yosemite geology and other branches of natural history are given by nature guides at scheduled times each day. The nature guide on duty will be more than willing to answer your questions on any subject. Go Afield with a Nature Guide! Take advantage of this free service that will help you to know your Park. A competent scientist will conduct you over Yosemite trails, and from him you may learn first hand of the native flowers, trees, birds, mammals, and geological features. See Schedule of Nature Guide Field Trips. Visit Glacier Point Lookout ! From there you will obtain an unexcelled view of Yosemite's High Sierra. The binocular telescope will bring Mt. Lyell to within one third of a mile from where you stand; you can recognize friends climbing trails several miles away. The Nature Guide in attendance will help you to operate it and will explain what you see. A small library is at your command.

You will enjoy the informal nightly campfire talks given here. Attend the Nature Guide Campfire Talks! In addition to the museum lectures members of the educational staff give talks as a part of the evening program at Camp Curry and Yosemite Lodge. Non-technical explanations of how Yosemite came to be; what you may expect of Yosemite bears; how the local Indians lived; what birds you see about your camps; what trout you will catch in Yosemite waters; how you may best visit the wonderland of the summit region; and scores of similar subjects are given by the National Park Service Nature Guides.

ALL OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE BY YOUR GOVERNMENT. —TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM—

Volume IV August 11, 1925 Number 12

CLOUD'S REST WITH A NATURE GUIDE

By David D. Keck PARTY of eight enjoyed going with a nature guide to Cloud's Rest on the week-end of July 18-19. This was the only trip scheduled to that point for this season by the Nature Guide Service, but enough enthusiasm was created on the jaunt to warrant the giving of the trip later. The first day the party followed the Mist Trail and enjoyed the refreshing coolness coming from the sprays of Vernal and Nevada Falls. Lunch was eaten at Little Yosemite hikers' camp and the afternoon was spent in exploring far up Little Yosemite valley to the upper end of Lost valley. At each end of Lost valley the Merced river rushes over high cascades that are well worth seeing. At dusk the party saw more than a dozen deer at a pool that, in drying up, had uncovered bits of salt that the deer were licking. The night was spent at Little Yosemite hikers' camp and all enjoyed campfire in the evening as well as the very favorable accommodations. The following morning turned out to be cloudy, but the occasional breeze added to the comfort of the climb to Cloud's Rest and when the sun shone accommodatingly while we were on the summit we felt that the weather had indeed been favorable. The view from Cloud's Rest was very fine, showing the high peaks to the east to great advantage, and Merced lake and Lake Tahoe glimmered alluringly. The birds were most interesting, including white-billed nuthatches, northern white-headed woodpeckers, fox sparrows, two species of kinglet, Clark's crow and many kinds found only in the valley were abundant. The Alpine chipmunk was a new mammal to many of the group. The rose were among these. Cloud's Rest, with its crest at tree line, gives an interesting variety to the naturalist who observes the flora and fauna along the way. The Alpine phlox and Sierra primrose gave us a little of the Alpine flora.

TAMARACK AND COYOTE CREEKS

By D. D. McLean On July 11, Leo Wilson and I went to Tamarack Creek, about twelve miles west from Yosemite. Primarily we went fishing, but there were many things quite as interesting as fishing. Looking down into the Merced river canyon a Black-throated Gray Warbler came flitting up over the edge and perched in a small stunted fir on the brink of the stream.

Numerous species of flowers were in bloom in the meadows on Tamarack and Coyote Creeks. Many birds were seen as we went down the canyon toward the Merced river. Hermit Warblers were seen and heard at regular intervals throughout the trip.

Several families of Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatches made themselves very conspicuous by the insistent calling of the youngsters. Mountain Chickadees were feeding their families at the edges of several of the small meadows.

A tiny Winter Wren was scolding near the bank of the stream in a tangle of brush and old logs. A Tolmie Warbler for company showed much disgust at our presence so near his abode. Numerous Western Tanagers were seen at nearly all points, both along the road and near the stream. Of course the ever-present Sierra Junco was found there and the same could be said of the Audubon Warbler.

At Tamarack Flat we saw a princely male California Evening Grosbeak near the corral. Golden-crowned Kinglets were more often heard than seen in the thickets of fir along the road near Coyote Creek.

A pair of Wright Flycatchers were seen in some chinquapin and snow brush on the other side of the canyon. The locations were typical for both species; the Hammond preferred the darker, heavier forest, and the Wright in the more open brush.

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was tattling from the dead top of a large fir tree near Tamarack Flat. Nuttal's Solitaires were seen and several heard singing from the tops of the higher fir trees. One bird in particular was singing almost continuously from one of the tallest fir trees on a point jutting out into the canyon. The song was very deceiving in character, seeming to come from only a short distance, but when the bird was finally discovered it was found to be at least a hundred yards distant and fully one hundred and seventy feet above the ground. One White-headed Woodpecker came to drink at a small spring in a grove of aspens at one of the meadows and was followed by a Hermit Thrush. Several Ouzels kept just ahead of us as we went down the creek. While we were standing at the great bluff looking down into the Merced river canyon a Black-throated Gray Warbler came flitting up over the edge and perched in a small stunted fir on the brink.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels were chasing about over the logs and debris all through the forest. Two Long-eared Chipmunks were seen near the road, one at a very close range, so close, in fact, that we could notice its long ears and the large white patch immediately back of them.

Although we saw no deer, there is apparently a goodly population, from the numerous tracks and freshly used trails to and from the creek. At several points along the stream I saw tracks which I took to be Mountain Beaver.

While tearing logs to pieces in search of things of interest, we found some Yosemite Land Snails, some large Scorpions, and in an old stump we found one white-footed mouse.

Four different kinds of trout were taken—Eastern Brook, Rainbow, Loch Leven and Cutthroats.

The trip was very interesting, and certainly a success. The nature lover who wishes to combine fishing with natural history observation, can do well in visiting Tamarack Creek.

AFIELD WITH THE NATURE GUIDES

MABEL RETURNS

Last year a tame doe appeared in Camp Nineteen. She fed from camp and showed no fear when a half dozen children crowded to feed her. (Motion Picture of "Mabel" being shown to the visitors in Yosemite this year.)

In the year she led two fawns (also tame). One of these fawns became tame and followed the other, but the other one usually fled at a safe distance while the other and sister were fed. A number of deer were observed in the elk shed this spring. Apparently "Mabel" and her two fawns spent three weeks in captivity. Within four or five after these deer were caught, interesting—almost "Mabel" appeared in her old hiding place with her two fawns, now old enough to survive. She beds down in the same place, makes her usual rounds begging for food, and, as in the year, but one of the fawns is brave enough to feed from the hand. Although officially unmarked, this is undoubtedly the tame doe that prevented the camp fires, if habits and manner count. The tamer of the two yearlings has a bad habit of striking with the front foot when she does not like conditions, so that children have to be warned to keep from being hurt.

Need it be pointed out that animals have regular routine paths of travel. To emphasize the point: A deer can be looked for in summer in one canyon and a day later in another canyon ten miles away. It is little to be expected that the same deer makes the round of a certain territory fairly regularly except when migrating. Experience with one wild deer, which winters at some meadow, about seven miles down the Merced canyon, supports this view.

WILD DEVOTION

Suggesting lazy, languid days and parting on flowers— the pond lily. The broad and interesting— almost golden yellow bloom— these flowers speak of warm waters and summer days.

As though to show that sepals can be quite as effective in attracting the desired insects, the sepals of this lily are the most conspicuous. They vary in number but overlap in such a manner as to form a beautifully rounded cup, yellow gold within, green-gold without. In the center of this cup the stigma is found a broad and petaloid structure, under which, depressed, and the many stamen-like structures, and the true stamens with dark anthers.

As summer becomes autumn these flowers are gradually transformed into urn-shaped seed capsules, held more erect on stiffened stalks. The Klamath Indians, who have given them, as well as the plant which bears them, the name "Woktas." They roast the seeds to eat as pop-corn, or use them in the manufacture of flour for bread or porridge. Thus they delight the stomach as well as the eye.

The stems are porous, being made up of air spaces surrounded by tissue. This construction is of double value, for in addition to conducting air to the roots they allow the leaves to float easily on the surface of the water. As the leaves get older the water may recede, leaving them projecting above the surface.—R. D. Harwood.

Food Preferences may be of interest. "Mabel" is particularly fond of raisin bread, cake, potatoes, onions and fruit. When one man, hoping to entice her, purchased a sack each of rolled oats, he soon found he had made a mistake, for she refused this grain. Between meals at camp she browses on several trees, black oak and thimbleberry.

It will be interesting to see if our tame deer gives birth to fawns alive in this year and what she will do with her yearlings when there are babies to care for.—H. C. Bryant.

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS BRANCH MUSEUM

The splendid response accorded the Nature Guide work in Yosemite valley has prompted the Service to extend the work to favorable points beyond the "Rim." At Glacier Point is the new lookout and its powerful binocular telescope. A naturalist stationed there in July, 1925 aided more than 8000 visitors to a better appreciation of the wonders spread before them in that unequaled panorama.

A further venture has been made in stationing a nature guide in Tuolumne Meadows. Through the cooperation of the Sierra Club this added member of the educational staff is salaried and presented with the picturesque Parsons Memorial Lodge as museum quarters. A flower show, exhibits of trees, geologic collections and Indian artifacts, are labeled and displayed to enable the visitor to start on the right track in becoming acquainted with the place. Each afternoon the Nature Guide entertains guests there. He conducts parties afield every morning, so giving his guests opportunity to learn first hand of the living wonders that inhabit the Hudsonian and Alpine zones of the region. As these privileges become better known to Yosemite enthusiasts, the Tuolumne Meadows nature guide will be busy indeed.—C. P. Russell

GOLDEN TROUT CAUGHT NEAR MERCED LAKE

The golden trout, most beautiful of all trout, formerly found only in the headwaters of the Kern river, has been planted 150 miles to the northward and is now being taken by anglers in

YOSEMITE

National Park. Fishermen at Merced Lake, by climbing the Fletcher Creek trail, have been able to return with some of these fine fish taken from Fletcher Creek or from Fletcher lakes. One will have to go far to see scenery more grand or find more beautiful flora than may be found along the trail mentioned.

A FAWN GOES SWIMMING

Sunday, July 19, was a warm day in Yosemite valley; warm but not hot as weather is in some other portions of the State. Loafing in the shade by the river bank I saw a spotted fawn. Eager to get away he waded leisurely up the willow thicket across the river. Deliberately he moved to the river margin, and then wading slowly, with his feet free, he began a swim that took him fifty feet across a quiet bit of backwater. From all indications the action was prompted by nothing more than a desire to cool off.

Six days later mother and this same fawn were seen to ford the river. The water was about a foot deep and the current was swift; the doe walked slowly and the fawn, hugging close to its mother, going down river. Both were able to hold their footing. Both made the crossing without the least show of anxiety.—Enid Michael.

THE FLIGHT OF TERMITES

Winged forms of the termite were seen at Glacier Point off June 20. They appeared to be swarming from the stump of a sawed Jeffrey pine.

This swarming is in reality a nuptial flight as it represents the formation, or possible formation, of new colonies. These mature males and females leave the old colony and fly about seeking a decayed portion of some tree in which to start their tunneling activities. However, they fall such easy prey to birds that very few of them survive this brief winged state. These large awkward appendages are such that it is remarkable that they can fly at all. As soon as the female selects a colony site the wings of both male and female are deliberately broken off as though to safeguard against a future escape from duty.—R. D. Harwood.

A RATTLESNAKE'S MEAL

Although it is generally known that often animals feed is afforded rodents, it is hence often that one may have a chance to see what may be called a worthwhile meal by this snake. A report that a rattler had been killed with some large mass of food in the stomach was followed up and a dissection made with the result that still greater respect is had for the snake's ability to consume sizable mammals. The rattlesnake was little more than two feet long, although it possessed nine rattles. In diameter of belly it was about one inch, except where distention showed a large mammal had formed a recent meal. From the stomach was taken a large wood rat fully two and a half inches in diameter and nine inches in body length exclusive of tail. A look at the head and constricted neck of the snake made one wonder how so large an animal could have been swallowed. Only to one who has seen a snake distend the bones of the jaws and head in enveloping its prey does a feat like this seem possible. The firmly knitted jaws of a mammal would not allow of swallowing a mass of food larger around than the size of mouth and neck. Part of the flesh of the rat's head had been digested away, but otherwise the mammal was intact.

In addition to giving evidence as to the food of the rattlesnake, the episode convincingly proved that wood rats are to be found in Tenaya Gorge.—H. C. Bryant.

Warm weather during the past fortnight has been melting the snows in the high country back of Yosemite Valley very rapidly. From Glacier Point, range after range of snow-capped peaks is visible, but early explorers along the trails leading into the back country report the snows disappearing from trails and roads.

THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION ITS PURPOSES

1. To gather and disseminate information on the wild-life of the Sierras. To develop and enlarge the Yosemite Museum (in cooperation with the National Park Service) and to establish subsidiary units, such as the Glacier Point lookout and branches of a similar nature. 2. To promote the educational work of the Yosemite Nature Guide Service.

3. To publish (in cooperation with the U. S. National Park Service) "Yosemite Nature Notes."

4. To study living conditions, past and present, of the Indians of the Yosemite region.

5. To maintain in Yosemite Valley a library of historical, scientific, and popular interest.

6. To further scientific investigation along lines of greatest popular interest and to publish, from time to time, bulletins of non-technical nature.

7. To strictly limit the activities of the association to purposes which shall be scientific and educational, in order that the organization shall not be operated for profit.

MAY WE SEND YOU EACH ISSUE OF YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES?

Your check for $2.00 sent to the Park Naturalist, Yosemite National Park, will help to pay the cost of its publication for one year and make you a member of the Yosemite Natural History Association for the same period.

FROM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUT-DOOR RECREATION

Called by PRESIDENT COOLIDGE

"THAT THE CONFERENCE ENDORSE NATURE STUDY IN SCHOOLS AND THE EXTENSION OF THE NATURE STUDY IDEA TO EVERY AMERICAN SCHOOL AND FAMILY;

THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUMS OF NATURAL HISTORY IN NATIONAL PARKS WILL INCREASE THE EDUCATIONAL RECREATIONAL VALUE OF THE

PARKS".—Resolution of the Conference.