1930

The Yosemite Muse.im Volume IX

APRIL,

1Q30 Number 4 Department of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur, Secretary National Park Service Horace M. Albright, Director

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Published monthly Volume IX April 1930 Number 4

BEAR FACTS

By C. H. Oneal, Ranger - Naturalist "Bears! Bears!" The shouting of "Whoof" she wheels on her rear this word never fails to quicken the quarters and gallops off. Peace has pulse of the drowsiest camper in been restored. The garbage has Yosemite, Timid ladies shudder been saved. and cease their conversation Men As the lights go on at the "bear and children appear from all sides pits" three hungry garbage eaters to view the mysterious intruder. are feasting. Quietly and stealthily Admired by many, feared by a few. there appears at the rim of light an hated by the camper that has been enormous bear. Poising a moment robbed, the bear never fails to draw to tet his august presence be noted attention. The first acquaintance he advances. Over-awed the other of the average person with the bears scatter leaving him in posbears is usually somewhat dra session He is the champion. But matic. wait-- with the greatest unconcern The camp rs quiet except for the In walks a new visitor. Straight to snores of the men wearied with the choicest morsels he goes withday of sight seeing Bang" A gat out a tremor. He is small, weighbage can has toppled over Evert/ ing but a few pounds, and poone springs to the edge of his bed sessed of neither bulging muscles Excited whispers are heard every nor rapidity Will he be crushed where. "Bears! Beat's! " Again for his bravery? No! His opposounds the magic word Nearly nest retreats. A new champion everyone turns out more or less reigns. With his black and white clad in flimsy draperies. Armed stripes glistening in the light and with stove-wood, old shoes. or fryhis plumed tail aloft he eats his fill ing-pans. they advance upon the unmolested. truths Suddenly, someone cries, The actions of bears at times are "There she it " As if by signal the almost human A female hear was bombardment commences Wh. I begging food as I came from the chance has the bear With uverhangii:^ rock at Glacier Point a5

Falling twigs attracted my atteopushed by the mother the cub fintion to a nearby tree. There on a ally nursed from the side with its limb about thirty feet from the head on her foreleg. A remark ground was a young cub. Calling from. young lady describes the to the people adjacent we watched process, "Why, she nurses it just The older bear advanced to the like a mother does her baby." The tree. Evidently suffering from ticks, cub's stomach full, they scampered she gave herself a thorough down the hill and out of the way of scratching against the tree, then curious humans. she looked up at the cub. As if it Eears are living contradictions was a cue, it backed down. Some They are heavy and seemingly slow. one remarked, "Wouldn't it be nice but when properly stimulated they if she nursed it." No sooner the are capable of terrific rapidity Die thought than the act. The cub cite locking and appearing to invite started nursing immediately while friendship, they in an instant lure the rnohter hear_ was in a normal this quiet demeanor and may maim standing position. Then the old a. person for life. Powerful, cruel, bear sat on its haunches, holding cunning, temperamental, but withal its front legs aloft. Glancing backfascinating and dynamic they haler ward she saw a chance to lie down our attention as no other of ore In this position the nursing was wild animals here at Yosemite Na continued. Partly sliding and partly Iional Park.

YOSEMITE BIRD REPORT FOR FEI3RU.ARY

By Enid Michael, Ran :2er - Naturalist The month of February in the is filled with the soothing ratable Yosemite Valley started off with a of falling water. golden stretch of spring-like clays F'rurn 8 until 9 on these sunny Under the warming influence of the mornings Yosemite Falls puts on sun a thraw carne in the land b'- its supreme show, for then it is yond the rim. Waters gathering that long slanting' rays of the sun from melting snowbanks tilled mingle their magic in the inlet down the sunny slopes to join forces Rainbow colors first bloom in the in the granite trough that cradles fountain plume below the notch, Yosemite creek. Yosemite Falls then as the sun climbs in the blur came to life and in almost springeky the colors drift ' down the veil time glory it leaped from its high In the play of the morning breeze notch. But still lacking the mighty the mist curtain sways back one volume of full spring strength, the forth and as the curtain shifts the waters failed to leap clear and ii sect veil wavers on the wind were fountained into is boiling mist drift. Occasionally at the whirr of r_rass where they struck the ledge some wandering gust a fleece from helr,w the notchPlumed and the curtain is ripped free tc :Ise. aerated, this cloud of "water dust " away as filtered gold-dust gold cores leisurely, listlessly, ever dust more golden than the pollen floating downward, and yet with clouds that sweep from hlnoniin,•. : ll Its :get; rat leisure the valley cedars

Y0SEMl ' 1 L. NATURE NOTES

A vision, a dream, a floating colformed a filmy haze against the umn of spun silver veiled in a mist background of evergreens. Under of rainbow hues. Gold-dust sifting the oaks new lawns were spreading at the top, then tints more green faintly green and deer were browsthan burning copper blend into the ing in the meadows, taking a tonic deep shades of purple. Slowly the of spring greens. Other spring inrainbow curtain drops until it fades dicators were moths, bees and butfor the day into the seething vapors terflies. The sun-filled days awakat the base of the fall. ened a ground squirrel from his February being one of the winwinter sleep. He came out of his ter months, we naturally expect at burrow on the 16th and he was no least some stormy weather, but afdoubt surprised to find spring apter 16 days of perfect weather we parently here. A thin covering of of the valley began to have a feelfrozen snow still lay in patches on ing that the storm gods were off the meadows south of the river. In on a lark. By the middle of the many places a network of ice tunmonth there was hardly a patch of nets could be seen through the snow to he found on the north side glazed snow sheet. Much tunnel of the valley, and even on the work, however, had melted away. south side of the river there was leaving bare ground to cross from much open ground. one snow patch to another; a conOn the morning of February ll dition that would just suit that lit-,n the ceanothus thicket near the tie killer, the pigmy owl, but a most feeding station, jays, juncos and dangerous condition for. the tunneltowhees were practicing their digging meadow mice. spring songs. The hard-voiced jays The cow elk in the paddock were whispered only the softest of love showing their first touch of spring notes and juncos joined in to make fever on the morning of the 16th a merry spring chorus. Now and They gamboled across the pasture then a towhee would tilt his head like spring lambs and one old cow upward and spill his trill of notes. that felt particularly frolicsome Two days later the first robins of tried to promote a may dance. She the year were squealing and chuck pranced and skipped about among ling in the oaks. Strangely enough the caves and cows but was unhowever, with all this perfect able to arouse the others to the weather, birds were unusually proper pitch cf gaiety and so the scarce California woodpeckers and dance was off. One would hardly blue-fronted jays were common expect cows to skip about with any enough in the oaks about the new degree of grace, but calls cows arc village, but a two-hour walk in othleally graceful animale. er sections of the valley would The canyon wren that lives in probably not disclose more than a the rock slide back of the barns dozen birds, including perhaps six was in full voice on sunny mornor eight species. ings during the middle of the By the middle of the month the month. gaunt gray eottonwoods were.be On the morning of the 18th a ginning to take on a pink flush ruby-crowned kinglet was sounding throughout then e l ewns, and the his bugle song. And on the same Kellogg oaks, In the distance, wile morning the first hand-tailed }aids swelling en Ihv hero hrnnchor, i,.geen of the sear 0. %ens s. i

2S YOSEEII''h NATURE NOTES Flickers were numerous for the Summary of Birds Seen first time this year and their highRing-necked Duck —A flock of pitched roll of notes were often from one to nine birds occasionally heard. After weeks of absence the noted on the river. Only one male tracks of the little spotted skunk in full plumage. were again to be found in the dusty Great Blue HeronA lone bird hails noted frequently. Probably present February 19, the chain of sunthroughout the month. <it cached days was broken. At Band-tailed Pigeon --A single bird (loin clouds began to drift in from seen February 18. the west. The sun managed to Goshawk--A lone individual on shire for an hour and t3e,t th<• the first day of the month. cloud curtain spread across the Sparrow Hawk— A lone bird notsky. All day the gray mantle hung cal o: several occasions. over the valley, but no rain fell Horned Owl- -Heard just twice nnt.l just before dusk. Birds were during the month. scarce A two-mile walk about the Pigmy Owl---A lone bird on the upper end of the valley disclosed second day of the month. only seven species, but among these Belted Kingfisher—Two preset was the willow woodpecker, a bird throughout the month. not previously seen this month. Hairy Woodpecker — We never February 21 was a dull overcast day with 'very little sunshine failed to find one or two birds it, Walked across the valley. From the cottonwood groves along the the Sentinel bridge a lone female river. ring-necked duck was seen. She 'Willow Woodpecker Rare thi Was a very shy bird. Near Roe month. A lone bird on three moo island, and then again beyond the sions. island, a willow On the woodpeckerwas White-headed Woodpecker -- A lone individual present daily about encountered. morning'st the mouth of Indian canyon. Ocwalk, covering a distance of about three miles, fifteen different speeasionally lone birds were noted in cies of birds were noted. other sections. February 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 Pileated, Woodpecker -- A lone Were cold` stormy days with rain male frequently noted. falling most of the' time During California Woodpecker—Common these days there were times when in all the Kellogg oak groves on the ground was white with snow, the north side of the valley. but the snow that fell was soggy. Red-shafted Flicker--No doubt and soon melted u> ay. On the a few individuals present through 23d three pipits were seen in the out the month, although there were areaddcv near the alh paddock. days when we failed to see a single Pipits are rate birds irr Yosemite bird. valley and they usually appear here Blue-fronted Tay—The most cons during siormy weather. mon bird of the month. In spite of the long stretch of California Purple Finch A long fair 'weather' only 33 species of bird noted February 4. birds' were noted number is Pine Siskin—In the alders :dole: three below the Febtuary average the river a flock of 25 birds e` the last-10 vent's.' noted on several occasions.

YUh1' NI 1'1 NATURE N(YfE~

Slate-colored Junco - A lone in, Golden-crowned Kinglet Present dividual frequently seen with the daily. FIocks of from 10 to 12 birds flock of Sierra juncos. likely to be seen in any section of Si.cr:a Junco---A flock of about the valley.,10 birds present daily about the Townsend Solitaire--A lone bird mouth of Indian canyon. Anothei noted February 6. small flock near the barns. Seldom Western Robin---A few individnoted elsewhere. uals found their way into the valley Sacramento Towhee—Five birds during the stretch of perfect present daily at the mouth of Inweather. dian canyon and three or four near Varied Thrush--A beautiful male the zoo. bird was seen on the last day of the Audubon Warbler---Three birds month. noted on the first day of month. Western Bluebird—At least one American Pipit - Three birds flock of 10 birds present throughfound feeding in the Sentinel meaout the month. Possibly two or dow on the morning of February 23. three flocks. Water Ouzel -Possibly a lone bitd It was a cold morning in Yosempresent from the eighth until the ite Valley and all the pools and end of the month, but there were streams were frozen over. When days when we failed to locate him. we stepped out of the house we Heard singing beautifully on Febfound a little flock of Western blueruary 23. birds flying about the building next -Canyon Wren--Rare this month door. The birds were acting in a Possibly a few individuals present strange manner. Each bird in turn throughout the month. One bird would drop down from the roof and heard in full song. then on fluttering wings would Sierra Creeper- -Present daily. lnhover under the eaves. At first we dividuals likely to be found in any were at a loss to understand this section of the valley. unusual maneuver, but after watchRed-breasted Nuthatch---Probably ing for a few minutes we discova couple of pairs present throughered the object of their strange beout the month. havior. The bluebirds were thirsty Mountain Chickadee -- Present. and they were hovering under the throughout the month. but in varyeaves to sip a drink from icicles ing numbers. February' fifty that hung clustered from the drip were seen and again about this of the roof. number on the last day of the Often we have seen deer munchmonth. The average number noted ing snow and once we saw a bear on a day :: was perhaps six' licking the ice on the frozen river Ruby-crowned Kinglet---Lone individeala noL^d almost daffy, but at margin, but this was the first time no time were more than a few inthat we ever saw birds drinking dividuals noted. from the end of an icicle.

YOSEM 1'1'E NATURE NOTES YOSEMITE'S SKY ROOF

By Clifford C. Presnall, Ranger - Naturalist Yosemite Valley, with its carpet preceding days. Just as the blueof wild flowers, its granite walls gray light of evening was disapfrom which are hung draperies of pearing in the notch to the west, spray-whitened falling water, and between El Capitan and Cathedral its polished domes and cloud-piercRocks, the eastern sky was painted ing spires is so commanding a with the deepest turquoise blue-spectacle as to make the observer such a blue as is sometimes seen

forget the beauty of thesky that in Crater lake, or in Parrish paintroofs this outdoor temple. The very ing. Against this dark yet vivid perfection of a California sky tends background there stood out in to dull our appreciation of it; its vigorous contrast the gray bulk of typical clearness is a modest virtue Half Dome, its noble lines sharply which is not realized until clouds defined by the glistening white of blacken it, or, more often, emblazon freshly fallen snow. Above the it with the flaming tints of sunrise dome the first stars of the evening and sunset Here in Yosemite, howshone with a frosty brilliance, like ever, we see only a small part of exhuberant snow crystals that healthe sky. Most of the morning and tated to join their brothers resting evening colors are hidden behind on the mountains beneath them. great canyon walls rising un all Gazing in awe at this heavenly sides, and it is only occasionally beauty, the greetings of a passing that the beauty of the sky transfriend seemed to come from ancends that of the valley. other world—a prosaic, gasolineSuch an occasion was noted by scented world which for a few minseveral persons on the evening of utes called in vain to me, worshipJanuary 27, when the air was unping at the beautiful shrine of usually clear after the storm of the nature.

STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

By R. H. Rose, Ranger - Naturalist The announcement of a recent sociated with geologic exhibits, act of the California State Legsfield and lecture work in the lature hich provides for the estional parks of California realize tablishment of a new geological how difficult it is to find literature survey should meet with the hearty u: early gelogical studies in the api =oval all who are interested national parks and vicinity Such in the national parks of California. information is needed in order thrt The new organization is known,is an adequate historical background the georgic branch of the State may be supplied. The geologic division of Mines and is under 'ii branch is publishing as its first direction cf Olaf P. Jenkins, geolobulletin an extensive bibliography gist. of the geology of California which Those of us who have been aswill serve as a guide book to awl II-

aI able geologic information. The tically the only industry of imporpublication is now being prepared tance in California. The commendby Dr. Solon Shedd, curator of the able scientific accomplishment of }draaner Memorial Geological LiWhitney and his capable staff was hear at Sianford University. not looked upon with favor by the Progress in educational work rcgold mining interests, which strongquires that ranger-naturalists >rcly influenced the Legislature of that sent not only the geology of the day, and the pioneer survey was isolated regions comprising the abruptly discontinued in 1874. parks in which they are doing In 1880 the State Bureau of work, but also that they show Mines was created by an act of the clearly the relationship between the Legislature. A museum containing geological history of the parks and a comprehensive collection of minthat of the Cordilleran region as a orals of the state, models and drawwhole. Audiences will have greater ings of mining machinery, and a appreciation for lectures that are library f works on mineralogy, prepared with this broader perspecgeology and mining were the tmtive in mind. portant features of the new organThe geology and topography of ization. The headquarters of the Yosemite and the other natic.oal bureau and its various departments carlie C.I. California will be beautiare located in the Ferry building in fully shown in their relationship to San Francisco. The creation of the the geologic and topographic fcaGeological Survey of California i, tures of the state as a whole. Is a move on the part of the State soon as accurate maps now in Legislature that is in harmony with course of preparation are comthe progressive spirit of the great pleted. -t' state of California. The Legislature California had an active geologiis to be commended upon makirg cal survey which was created by an this far-sighted move. act of the State Legislature in 1850. The new survey, now organized The pione survey was under the as the geologic branch of the State direction of J. Q. Whitney, for division of Mines, is in its infancy whom our Mt. Whitney was named. The initial appropriation of $20.000 It is hard to appreciate the diffifor the biennium is very small. This culties under which the old survey amount must he materially nlabored. The Golden State was n.,t creased before the survey can actraversed by the network of rapidcomplish the important work betransit lines as it is today. Travelfore it. To every - -llar the state ing was done for the most part by of California expends. in geologic stage coach, horseback or on feat. field work and mapping; the United Accurate and detailed work was States Geological,Survey addan not possible under such hadicahs. equal a :.ount. Our national survey However, we owe a great deal to is one of the most efficient and the men of the pioneer survey for thorough going scientific organizalaying the foundation for the vast tions in the ' world. Their "fiftyamount of :splendid work that has fifty" technical and financial asbeen done slave i1': time, n>ore pa •- sistanee to the California Geot,cTlictilarl;, din•il>;: II' Iitel quarto of cal Survey will mean much it coital. ). In the days of the ni" The active cooperation of rho ui '•v gal' editing rvno• pi „ National I'arlt Service 'nwnrd

success of the new organization will of this survey California has proved be of great benefit The new suit to the world her willingness to convey will be of immense economic tribute toward the advancement of

and scientific value to the people of the state. By th establishment scienceBLACK ANTS AS FIRE FIGHTERS By F. S. Garl, Ranger According to my observations of common was happening. big black ants, they are the most I then threw my lighted cigarproficient fire fighters to be found, ette, which was a "taller made" one, and it would pay the majority of in about the same place where the us to study them more closely as match was. The ants attacked thin to their habits. in larger force than they did the Last summer Jack Moody and I match, and biting, and kicking with were on a patrol trip in the souththeir feet they completely destroye :l eastern part of the park. On our the cigarette. Some of them ti c way home we came over the Mee-- burned to death, while others were ced pass trail and came to a little burned so badly that they wonLl meadow where there was good kill each other. But fot every c tr horse feed and water, so we anthat was killed or disabled th 'ru packed our horses and proceeded was another to take his place. to have lunch. While eating we After the fire was out they sent noticed a big black ant hill. Upon "men" out to pick up the dead, just lighting a cigarette after lunch I as if it were a battlefield. All this threw the lighted match close u, took place in about half an hour, the hill. We were surprised to see so you can see they have a wellabout 50 ants start for the fire and trained ganization, which in jump right into it, the ants kicking and biting. While this was guutg eludes fire-fighting and everything on, the others kept right on with what struck me was the orderly their work as though nothing unmanacr• in which this was handled.

YOSEMITE

if I could paint these scenes I see if I could paint you what I see On God' s broad canvas, spread for Eternal fame would come to Inc. me; ll 1 could s eak these sounds 1 neat These chits, which [tower in aweAnd bring their music to your ear; some might. The whisper in the pine tree tall. Those distant peaks with snowThe eadenciof the waterfall, crown white, Some hidden songster's cheerful note Rock domes which grace His temple The mating call from robin 's throat. vast, The s(-ulding of a saucy jay, Clear streams, in beauty unsurThe chatter of a chipmunk gay, passed. The murmet of the clear Merced Which tumble from the Valley rim The aspens quivering overhead; Or chatter down through canyons These sounds which Nature hun t; dim. to me, These scenes uI take and rock and You 'd hero as Heaven's own dean tree, phony. Their wander and their majesty; l i"yii I(1 I )ewhirfi,