1945

THE MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE NATURALIST DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION VOL. XXIV MARCH, 1945 NO. 3 PARK ALBUM

By Lt. John S. Spears A finer, faster lens has caught The sunset's glow atop Half Dome Than ever fan possessed who sought The picture there, to carry home. A firmer print of Badger's snow Of Grizzly Giant and the falls Than ever picture card could show Is in my heart when memory calls. There are no photographs of men, So clearly featured in their frames As those whose lines I see again When memory speaks familiar names. Whether on foreign plain and hill Or somewhere in our own great land— Yosemite is with me still As those who know can understand. * Lt. Spears, now in the European war theater, is a former seasonal park ranger of Yosemite National Park.

THUMBNAIL SKETCHES OF YOSEMITE ARTISTS

By Elizabeth H. Godfrey, NPS Staff Harry Cassie Best Harry Cassie Best was born in the small village of Mt. Pleasant, near Peterboro, Ontario, Canada in 1863. His talent was inherited from his mother, whose parents, believing that artistic expression was a godless waste of time, forbid her to follow her natural inclination to paint, draw, and combine colors. Nevertheless, after her two sons, Harry and Hood, she had the satisfaction of watching them develop through rigid application and self-education the talent that she had been forced to hide "under a bushel." When Harry Best was 12 years of age his family moved from Canada to a farm in North Dakota, near Grand Forks, where he and his brother attended the public school. Both displayed talent for music, and by ear and self-teaching could play most any instrument. Harry Best played the violin and horn well. At 17, Harry Best returned to Winnipeg, Canada, and worked as an apprentice to a tinsmith. While laying a tin roof on a skating rink, he became fascinated by a band that played for the skaters, and decided that the life of a musician was far more fascinating than that of a tin-smith. A short time later, he and his brother and three other young men had formed an orchestra, and were earning their expenses traveling from one Montana mining camp to another, playing for dances. Their travels took them to Portland, Oregon, and when in that vicinity Harry Best had the opportunity to see Mt. Hood, resplendent in sunset colors. He stood gazing in awe at the snow-clad mountain, and all the innate, artistic impulses inherited from his mother surged within him. He might capture those fleeting colors on canvas. He bought paints and brushes but the colors faded into oblivion before he could paint them. There was the only one way — memory, and he spent hours memorizing their radiant tones. The discovery that he could paint was as joyous as when a miner strikes gold. Without hesitation he abandoned his ambitions for a musical career, and was determined to become an artist. He laid his groundwork by observations from nature. He learned the greatest of artists—a few lessons from Rodriguez and other San Francisco artists, and five years' experience as a cartoonist on a San Francisco newspaper—the latter being bread and butter medium. In the field, he had contact with, and was close friend of Homer Davenport, destined for future cartoonist fame. Harry Best made friendships with a group of young contemporary artists, among whom was Thaddeus Welch. In 1901, Welch invited Best to accompany him to Yosemite Welch had been there before, but to

To Best the scenery eclipsed any. In 1907, before departing for Europe thing he had ever dreamed of. with his wife and three-year-old Welch made a few sketches, and daughter, Virginia, for a six-months' then gave up, saying that he was on stay, Mr. Best was invited by the eminent vacation, and looking up to paint astrologer, Professor Simon the precipitous cliffs was painful to Newcomb, of Washington, D. C. to his neck. exhibit his paintings in the gallery Harry Best's attention was also distracted by of the Cosmos Club, of which he was this. In walking through the Old a member. Village, the center of activity, he Mr. Best's paintings created quite stopped at the photographic studio a sensation in Washington and (a tent) of Putman and Valentine. In charge was pretty Anne Ripley of many were sold including "Afterglow on Half Dome," to Franklin K. Los Angeles, who having successfully Lane, who was later appointed Secretary run her employer's shop at the of the Interior. Hotel del Coronado the previous The last day of the exhibit was for year, last winter, had been sent to Yosemite the sole benefit of President Theodore for the summer season. It was love Roosevelt. He had graciously at first sight, and after a whirlwind invited Mr. Best to hang some of his courtship, the couple was married at paintings in the White House, but as the foot of Bridalveil Fall on July 28, 1891. that would have entailed considerable inconvenience, the special exhibit was arranged. The President The newlyweds were so enamored with Yosemite that they could was impressed with Harry Best's think of no better place in the world work, and purchased "Evening at to make their home. The following Mt. Shasta" to hang in the White year Harry Best obtained a concession House. from the State to construct a studio. The Bests continued on their trip on the Valley Floor. This he to Europe, where Mr. Best spent three maintained until his death in 1936. months in Italy and three months in He painted hundreds of Yosemite Paris painting and studying the work landscapes in all their seasonal of the old masters. They returned to moods and changes. He had special Yosemite in the spring of 1908. pleasure in painting the violet and The winter months were spent in blue haze that veils the Yosemite Santa Barbara or San Diego. One cliffs with atmospheric charm, and year while in San Diego, Mr. Best the alpenglow on snow-capped painted a picture entitled, "Ramona," domes and spires which falls like his artistic interpretation of the heroine halos of the setting sun, and contrasts in Helen Hunt Jackson's memorable with the turquoise blue of the novel by that name. The painting winter sky. was the subject of much interest

and enthusiasm in San Diego and guessed that he had passed the age received considerable publicity. For mark. six months it was exhibited at Ramona's Mr. Best was interrupted in Marriage Place, Old Town, San painting constantly during the day Diego, California, and was viewed by numerous friends and customers by thousands of visitors. It now tripping in and out of his cheery studio. hangs in a private home in Pasadena, He was never too busy to stop California. his work and engage in friendly conversation. In 1916, the Best family visited He was generous with his Honolulu where Mr. Best exhibited paintings—selling them to friends from his paintings for six months at the a small sum, or sometimes giving University Club. Among the many them away as presents. sold was the painting, "Innocence," On October 14, 1936, after spending — a semi-nude, which brought him a delightful evening with his several thousand dollars. At this grandchildren in his daughter's time Mr. Best made a number of home in San Francisco, Mr. Best was sketches of the volcano Kilauea. In stricken with a sudden heart attack, 1920, shortly after the death of his and passed away almost instantly. wife, Mr. Best again visited Honolulu Since his death, Best's Studio has with his brother and daughter. On this occasion he completed his paintings been operated by his daughter, Virginia, and her husband, Ansel of Kilauea and other Hawaiian Adams. There are still to be seen on scenes. the walls a number of paintings by Following the marriage of his Mr. Best. daughter, Virginia, in 1928, to the He was perhaps the last of that well-known photographer Ansel group of pioneer painters of the Adams, Mr. Best continued to live in West, who had the unique opportunity Yosemite alone, deriving happiness of showing to the world the beauty in his work, and participating in the and color of such amazing natural social life of the community. He enjoyed wonders as Yellowstone, Grand Canyon bridge, and during the skating and the Yosemite. His paintings season cut graceful figures on the of Yosemite and other scenery are open air rink at Camp Curry up to monuments to his name, and he will and including the winter preceding remain one of the outstanding Yosemite his death. With a full head of hair artists long after those who that was only slightly gray, and his knew him personally have passed youthful spirit, no one would have on. Sources Note--A considerable portion of the above material was furnished the writer by the artist's daughter Mrs. Virginia Adams. JAMES, George Wharton, "Harry Cassie Best—Painter of Yosemite Valley, California Oaks and California Mountains," —"OUT WEST," January 1914.

SPIKE BUCKS STAGE A BATTLE

By Myrl V. Walker, Associate Park Naturalist On Christmas day two spike bucks ness of the thrusts were almost unbelievable. were observed in the open area south of the school house, participating Suddenly one of the bucks seemed in what at first appeared to be to get a slight advantage. It was a fight to the finish." The terrific noted that the other was slowly retreating. The force of the battle was so apparent, step by step, but still carefully a number of people soon gathered to watch the progress of the battle. the "break" they had each been playing for, for now the one who had gained the advantage watched with some concern. The two bucks appeared to be about the same size, and they each had spikes of approximately the gave a terrific lunge and actually same length, so that they were apparently scooted the other one over the well matched. When first ground as if he were on ice, sliding observed each was standing his him along for forty to fifty feet. ground very well, with legs out At this point the vanquished some-stretched and well braced, and meeting how regained his balance, extricated his opponent head on. They were himself from the charging opponent, fighting with lightning like thrusts of turned tail and ran—thus breaking their short, sharp antlers which were off the encounter. The winner followed for a short distance but soon parried each time by a quick turn of the head and a resultant counter. stopped, for it was apparent that both This rapid fire attack at close quarters participants were nearly exhausted. continued without let-up for three They stood with open mouths and or four minutes, neither one being tongues hanging out, panting heavily, able to push his opponent more than and wobbling on their outstretched legs. a step or so. The speed and vicious

FOOD HABITS OF YOSEMITE MAMMALS AS INDICATED BY THEIR TEETH

By Lt. (jg) Richard G. Miller

PART II

Flesh Eating Mammals (Carnivora) The Sierra Nevada black bear, which varies in color from jet black to light brown, is abundant in Yosemite National Park. It is an animal of great interest to Park visitors, yet few people seem to be aware of the imposing dental equipment of this creature. An average adult bear has heavy canine tusks, measuring more than an inch from gum line to tip, and jaws that are very powerful. The incisors are heavy and strong and protrude forward from the jaw. These features together make the animal a formidable enemy, capable of grasping and tearing. The broad flat crowns of a bear's molar teeth show no scissor-like specialization as the teeth of some meat-eaters do, but seem to be intended for mastication of a variety of food. The molars, instead of cutting meat, are used for grinding such various foods as grasses, berries, roots, and animal prey and carrion. The incisors, broad and blunt, are used in grasping or raking berries from bushes, cutting roots or stems of plants, and in breaking away wood in getting at insects or honey. The black bear is a voracious feeder and takes food in great quantities, gorging himself whenever the opportunity occurs. In the fall, this practice reaches a peak, and serves to build up the layer of fat which carries him through his winter of inactivity. The black bear captures some small animals and occasionally kills fawns when the opportunity arises. It also captures fish in shallow streams, although this practice seldom has been reported of Yosemite bears. The handicap of poor eyesight has led the bear to become a scavenger and a bully. Frequently it feeds on the remains of another predator's kill. In fact, it is not above driving a lesser animal off and taking over its unfinished meal.

The bear is really equipped with The grizzly bear of early days had tooth and claw to indulge its own food habits similar to those of the preferences, a fact learned by many black bear but was much more able a camper in Yosemite Valley and to provide his own kill. The California which holds true throughout the grizzly, now gone completely park. The black bear is the largest from the Sierra, was more of a meat of Yosemite predators. eater, less a scavenger. Its extermination resulted from shooting, trap- The great teeth and claws of even ping and poisoning by stockmen in the most ordinary bear, its speed of protection of their cattle and sheep. movement and unpredictability put The California grizzly was larger it entirely outside the realm of the and more magnificent than the black teddy bear, appearances to the contrary. bear and in the days when it was It is to be kept at a distance found in the Sierra could be readily and not encouraged. It is dangerous identified by its size. Today, however, and for good reason it is forbidden with skulls of both animals before us, by law to feed bears in the National the most apparent difference Parks.

is in the teeth. In the black bear, the last molar is never as much as 1 1/4 Animal California gray fox Mountain coyote Northwestern mountain lion, (cougar) California wildcat California badger Pacific fisher Mountain weasel California spotted and striped skunk California ring-tail cat inches long, while in the grizzly it was never less than 1 1/4 inches. In other carnivorous mammals the incisors for cutting, the canines for grasping and tearing, and the molars for chewing are present, as in the bear, but their numbers may differ with the species. The food habits and mode of life vary considerably, but they are essentially meat-eaters, and can be recognized as such by their teeth. Some carnivorous mammals of Yosemite, together with an outline of their principal foods, are noted below : Food Small rodents, quail, grouse, large insects, berries, nuts and fruit. Rodents, moles, deer. Deer, rodents. Small rodents, porcupine, birds. Rodents and other burrowing animals. Porcupine, squirrels, snowshoe rabbits, frogs, fish and all small forms of wildlife. Rodents, moles, shrews, birds, insects. Rodents, insects, lizards, birds, frogs, fruits. Smaller animals, birds, insects, fruits. Part III—Moles and Shrews (Insectivora), and Bats (Chiroptera), will appear in the next issue

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