Yosemite Nature Notes · Volume 37, Number 1
January 1958
YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES VOLUME XXXVII - NUMBER 1 JANUARY 1958 WINTER, YOSEMITE VALLEY SNOW ON INCENSE-CEDAR
—Ansel Adams
White fir — showing how branches replace broken top. —Harwell
YOSEMITE
in its 37th year of public service. The monthly publication of Yosemite's park naturalists and the Yosemite Natural
NATURE NOTES
History Association. John C. Preston, Superintendent D. H. Hubbard, Park Naturalist Robert F. Upton, Assoc. Park Naturalist W. C. Bullard, Asst. Park Naturalist W. W. Dunmire, Park Naturalist Trainee
VOL. XXXVII JANUARY 1958 NO. 1 THE WOUNDED FIRS OF GLACIER POINT
S. A. Karlin Time and time again park visitors Second, there is mistletoe. This ask the naturalists at Glacier Point parasite is known scientifically as about the dead tree tops in that vi- Phoradendron bolleanum. The mistletoe cinity. The usual question is, "Ran- apparently chokes off circulation of ger, did lightning kill the tree- water past the point of its attachment. tops?" The fact of the matter is that In this manner the tree top lightning seldom strikes this area. becomes water starved and eventu- Actually it is difficult to give the in- ally dies. Multiple tops may arise quiring visitor a satisfactory answer. when the terminal growing bud is "What, then, is responsible for the killed. This is typical among most injured trees?" conifers. Multiple tops develop in a It must be pointed out now that the simple manner by the uppermost trees in question are mainly two living whorl of branches turning its species of fir: red fir (Abies magnifica) growing ends upward. Trees with and white fir (Abies concolor). The such tops have but a slim chance of naturalist can only offer two reason- survival because the root systems able explanations: must be able to keep up with the First, there are the bark-boring demands of newly-formed and vigbeetles. Many of the dead fir tops orously growing multiple tops. Soil have portions of the bark weathered environment may not be favorable off. In these exposed areas beetle to such an increased demand. Even canals can clearly be seen. Usually when conditions are good the old these trees have a specific beetle mistletoe infection may send new enemy. This is not so in the white parasitic roots downward and deep and red fir for it is attacked by the within the sapwood. The tree reacts beetles called Scolytus subscaber and by putting out numerous short, twist- Scolytus ventralis. These girdle the ed branches in the infected area. tree from within and interfere with This growth is short-lived. The end the movement of food and water. product is a tangle of dead branches This eventually kills the tree-top and twigs often called "witches in many instances the entire tree. broom."
Fir with multiple top. It is an odd sight indeed to see an Perhaps nature has a system of apparently healthy lower half of a checks and balances working here. fir tree with a dead top. There seems This is difficult to determine. When to be sufficient vigor in the lower we have a series of wet years, the trees have plenty of moisture in the half of the tree to keep ahead of the sap which is used to drown out the beetles and mistletoe. Perhaps, dur- beetles. It is during dry years that ing the destruction of the tree's top, the beetles get out of hand. Perhaps a large portion of the root system human inroads in the form of too was affected by the diminished food many pathways have also disturbed supply usually manufactured in the accumulation of humus on the tree top. An eventual result would ground. This can make the soil less be the dying back of part of the root suited for proper root development. tips. All of these factors weaken the The Glacier Point firs are under tree. A weakened tree falls easy attack! They have been wounded by victim to the enemies of the forest: beetles and mistletoe. Will they also fungus disease, insect invasion, and fall victim to other forest enemies? fire. Time alone will tell. Broken tops of firs are quite common. —Bullard
1957 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IN YOSEMITE
By W. J. and Erma Fitzpatrick The annual Christmas bird count taken in and adjacent to Yosemite National Park between El Portal (elevation 2,000 feet) and the top of the ski lifts above Badger Pass (elevation 7,900 feet) and including Yosemite Valley, was conducted on December 28, 1957 under the same ideal conditions as last year. Clear skies, no wind, and relatively mild temperatures characterized the occasion. Temperatures ranged from 28° to 55° with snow and ice being encountered only from about 4,000 feet upwards. Eighteen observers, working in five parties, recorded 65 species and 3,504 individuals. The species count constitutes a new record for this event; the previous high being 60 species listed in 1954. As usual, the larger numbers of both species and individuals were seen in the upper Sonoran zone in the vicinity of El Portal. Outstanding finds were that of yellow-shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus borealis), and a spotted sandpiper. The yellow-shafted flicker, seen at El Portal, was a new record for the Christmas Count and is, so far as we are able to ascertain, the only reported occurrence for the Yosemite area. The spotted sandpiper was a new record for the Christmas Count and constitutes a new December record for the Yosemite area. The detailed count follows: Great-blue Heron, 1; Cooper Hawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 7; Golden Eagle, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 2; California Quail, 5; Spotted Sandpiper, 1; Mourning Dove, 52; Pygmy Owl, 2; White-throated Swift, 10; Belted Kingfisher, 3; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 23; Pileated Woodpecker, 26; Red-breasted Sapsucker, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Nuttall Woodpecker, 2; White-headed Woodpecker, 8; Black Phoebe, 9; Steller Jay, 71; Scrub Jay, 27; Mt. Chickadee, 59; Plain Titmouse, 8; Common Bushtit, 17; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Brown Creeper, 21; Wren-tit, 11; Water Ouzel, 13; House Wren, 1; Winter Wren, 2; Bewick Wren, 2; Canyon Wren, 5; Rock Wren, 1; California Thrasher, 2; Western Robin, 44; Varied Thrush, 26; Hermit Thrush, 6; Western Bluebird, 20; Mountain Bluebird, 15; Townsend Solitaire, 6; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 219; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 38; Cedar Waxwing, 18; Hutton Vireo, 2; Audubon Warbler, 24; English Sparrow, 21; Brewer Blackbird, 4; Evening Grosbeak, 22; Purple Finch, 19; Linnet, 33; Pine Siskin, 69; Lesser Goldfinch, 2; Spotted Towhee, 44; Brown Towhee, 42; Lark Sparrow, 105; Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 3; Slate-colored Junco, 4; Oregon Junco, 220; Gambel Sparrow, 6; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 58; Fox Sparrow, 2; Song Sparrow, 7. White-headed woodpecker. —Harwell
RANGER, WHERE ARE THE FISH?
By Dick Jackson, Ranger Naturalist During the many pleasant duties mind that John DeWitt, Yosemite of the summer seasons, the ranger museum assistant, and I planned a naturalists are often confronted with short trip into the "north country" of the problem of supplying an answer Yosemite. to the popular question of, "Where Leaving Yosemite Valley one evecan we find some fish?" ning shortly after work we journeyed Yosemite National Park has a fine by auto to Hetch Hetchy, elevation trout planting program which sup- 3660 feet, the starting point of our plies the fishermen with quite a var- fishing trip. The first four miles foliety of kinds and sizes of trout. But lowed the road to Lake Eleanor, this is not an adequate answer for climbing up above the reservoir. the fishermen. In order to supply One cannot help but marvel at the myself with some of the information beauty of the massive walls of rock that the fishermen might want to forming the sides of the Grand Canknow I felt it would be best to get yon of the Tuolumne, especially with out and try some of the lakes and the glow of the setting sun late in streams. It was with this motive in the evening. A fine view of Kolana Hetch Hetchy Reservoir from the north trail. —Anderson
Jack Main Canyon near Paradise Valley has many small unnamed lakes like this. —Anderson. Rock is the reward of this part of the from the distant ridges, seemed to hike. Meeting a well marked trail realize that the evening was coming motion we continued on up the to a close. Jack Main Canyon trail with Beehive Our awakening in the early morndestination for the first evening. ing was almost as sudden. A deer The still of the evening was broken made a quick trip through our camp, by the whistle-like song of the poor- while at the same time mother nawill (Phalaenoptilus nuttalli). After ture was releasing some of her moishearing a continued series of songs, ture from the clouds above. The few we were fortunate to spot our whis- drops of rain were just enough to tling friend along side the trail on a make the morning air fresh and cool. rocky terrain. This was my first op- As we enjoyed our warm breakfast portunity to observe this rather un- around the campfire our thoughts usual, whiskered bird. As darkness drifted back to some of the early approached we were happy to see a history of the old cabin at Beehive, friendly camp-fire in the distance as the wonderfully cool natural spring, we neared the beautifully meadowed and the interesting activities of the area called Beehive, elevation early pioneers and cattlemen. A 8800 feet. After a warm cup of coffee quick re-packing of our gear and we and some chatting around the camp- were on our way up Moraine Ridge fire we were ready for sleep. Seven heading towards Paradise Valley. miles of walking and 3000 feet of The hike along Moraine Ridge, climbing makes one appreciate a down to Paradise Valley, and up to good warm sleeping bag. Even the start of Jack Main Canyon was mountain coyote, with its weird calls one which was well rewarded with
many interesting features of nature. out into the open, we spotted on a The late July climate seemed suit- glacial polished granite ridge just able for an abundance of both plants in front of our view the king in his and animals; many species of both domain. A splendid four point buck, were observed. We felt that it was with beautiful physical growth as somewhat unusual to spot five evidence of his plentiful food supply, coveys of mountain quail (Oreortyx looked us over once or twice before picta) at different places along the moving slowly on over the next trail. The most memorable part of ridge. A sooty grouse hen (Dendrathe hiking trip developed as we drop- gapus fuliginosus) and her covey of ped down from the dry Moraine chicks were not quite as anxious to Ridge and moved up into the cool eye us as we moved up towards the Paradise Valley, elevation 8000 feet. upper part of the valley, but instead Many small, shaded meadow areas moved hurriedly along under the swallowed up the trail, and I never low-growing plant life. The hen will forget the freshness of one of tried very hard to lure us away from these little glens with its head-high her chicks as she moved slowly in bracken fern and corn lily, and the opposite direction, faking an insmaller under-growth coloring from jury and then flying away suddenly the spirea, lupine, senecio and paint- after her young were safe. brush. The trail was hardly visible After a pleasant lunch stop along through the plant growth, but as we the slow meandering Paradise Valfound our way through the glen and ley stream, we left the valley and This meadow, once a lake, is in Jack Main Canyon south of Wilmer Lake. —Anderson
Innumerable meadows such as this are passed on the Jack Main Canyon and are typical of the high country. —Anderson moved up over the last two miles of the beautiful country and therefore our trip. Here we reached our destin- unaware of the size of the competiation for the second night, Avonelle tion at the other end of my fishing Lake, elevation 8500 feet. We were line. The nice big rainbow won in quite interested in sampling the size record time as he freed himself of of fish, so after hurriedly setting up the silver "Wobble-right" lure after camp we whipped out our spin- a couple of high shaking leaps into ning outfits and started working the air. In the next half hour around the lake. Not meeting with four more of the big fellows were insuccess in our first hour of casting, terested in taking a chance with the we continued to throw lures at the silver lure, and always they were fish. But now we started to notice successful in either taking the lure and comment upon the nestled with them or shaking it loose with a beauty of the lake. Avonelle is a series of violent leaps out of the lake with deep blue color, surround- water. Having had the opportunity ed by steep granite cliffs, seldom to get a good view of these tacklevisited by the hikers of the north busters while attempting to land country. It is not on a regular trail. some of them, we noticed that the The fishermen must leave the Tiltill run of size seemed to be between 16 Valley trail and cross-country over and 24 inches. Their coloration was easy terrain for approximately the very dark, characteristic of a deep last half mile of the trip. My first lake, and the band of coloring down strike caught me looking around at their sides was extremely bright and
beautiful. As the shadows of late af- work. (We were not up early only ternoon began to hit the granite walls because of the thought of catching of the opposite side of the lake we more fish; we had slept all night on made haste to prepare dinner and a nest of big black ants!) A couple get in some more fishing during the more hours of working for the big late daylight hours. The fish were ones was enough to let us know that not active near the surface, so we they were not too active, so unhapdecided after dinner to once again pily we had to eat breakfast, pack attempt to lure the big fellows out of up, and return to Yosemite Valley. the deep water with our spinning out- On our way back through Paradise Valley we could not resist throwing fits and lures. The evening became our lines in the water. We were well still and peaceful as the water sur- rewarded with rainbows from six to face turned to a glass-like mirror 12 inches, and spotted some in the finish. Meeting with little success I stream up to 15 inches. decided to retire to my sleeping bag After climbing some five thouearly while my partner continued to sand feet and hiking approximately throw a few more "Flat-fish" lures forty miles we were pleased to reat the big ones. The slumber of the turn to our soft beds, but only with night was rudely interrupted as my the expectation of returning soon to partner held two wet Rainbows over Paradise Valley and Avonelle Lake my head. He was ready to hit the where we know there are a lot of hay after having successfully won fish to catch. To lure the big ones the battle with two of the seventeen out of the deep holes is worth many inch fellows. hours of trying. You can be well as- The next morning we were up sured that I will be back after some bright and early, ready to catch a of these fine trout in Yosemite Nafew more before we had to return to tional Park. How about you? Rewards like this one are waiting in the backcountry. —Anderson
THE SELF-APPOINTED GREETERS OF YOSEMITE
By C. F. A. Powell, Ranger Naturalist Large and conspicuous, deliberate and colorful, raucous and alert, the Steller Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) of Yosemite are a constant source of amusement and comment by Glacier Point visitors. Although obviously a jay, visitors constantly ask the genus and species of the large blue birds, often 12 to 13½ inches in length, with the elegant, black, pompous crest. Bolder than many birds, as colorfully changing from day to day as Yosemite's cirque lakes, these gregarious birds make themselves as obviously a part of the Yosemite scene as Half Dome or the high peaks of the Sierra. Described by one visitor as the birds with the blue-grey breast, another will counter with the observation, "I saw one that was a dark cobalt blue." True it is, that the color variations of these jays range from blue-grey to in some cases a definite, sleek, cobalt blue. Even more striking than color, perhaps, are the attitudes, activities, and calculated behaviorisms exhibited by the Steller jays. To the jays has been attributed a relatively keen sense of intelligence and sagacious behavior that sets them apart from many birds that act only on instinct or habit. To support this claim one has to but see the large numbers of Steller jays that inhabit the Jeffrey and sugar pines, and the red and white firs, not only around Glacier Point, but in the Transition and Canadian life zones anywhere in California. Their very abundance is testimony to their adaptability and to their success in competition. Steller Jay In a small red fir (Abies magnifica) at the Glacier Point campground as many as twenty-three Steller jays have been seen at once, perched each morning and noon for a period of six weeks. Seemingly not just any red fir would do; this particular one was located within easy proximity of the four ranger naturalist cabins. Ranger naturalists being rather permanent summer residents, daily trips to the garbage can were usually necessary after breakfast and lunch. Wisely, the jays maintained a vigil for crumb or crust lost on those trips to dispose of scraps. Be the tidbit cereal, meat scraps, bits of fruit or vitamin pills, the omnivorous jays were vocally appreciative for the handout. The children of the rangers had on occasion made the jays' vigil especially profitable. Much to the delight of the children the birds would group en masse around the deliberate handout and greedily and impolitely grab the food, fly to the
The western tanager makes friends easily. —Harwell nearest perch, gobble their scraps If an expectant crumb was not and return to grab again. forthcoming, or if a naturalist Although, seemingly, twenty-three attempted a little early morning jays would prove an uneven match sleep or a belated lunch, the Steller for one seven inch chipmunk, the jays became indignant and downjays indeed respected the very pres- right demanding. Early morning ence of this familiar mammal. A knocking on the cabin door, or a perlong-eared chipmunk (Eutamias quad- sistent tapping at a window or on rimaculatus) that had made a home the roof was not uncommon. At first in a nearby log was also apprecia- it seemed as though someone were tive of an occasional crumb. While playing a joke. Persistent, repeated the chipmunk fed however, the jays knocks dispelled this idea however. would not approach. Berate the chip- Finally it was proved to be neither munk they would, complain and joke nor accident for the jays knew fuss, but not until the chipmunk had when it was breakfast and lunch chosen politely, had eaten well, and time; they deliberately and repeathad scampered on would the jays edly knocked and tapped for "crumb venture to the remaining scraps. service." Other birds did not intimidate the Although strongly gregarious, jays however. Jays were observed these jays also exhibited individuwillingly sharing, greedily but with- ally rewarding endeavors at times. out comment, with Robins (Turdus Nuts, grains, fruit, garbage, dead migratorius), juncos (Junco oreganus) and decaying animals, large insects, a sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuligino- bird eggs, nestling birds, small sus), and an occasional western tan- snakes, frogs, and mice are but a few ager (Piranga ludoviciana). of the foods enjoyed. Individual
jays were observed on old logs rel- political campaigns, club convenishing the insects they could un- tions and sports events. Jays aren't cover. A pine nut or an acorn taken always raucous. They can be adfrom the ground was observed to be mirable mimics. They are at times relished. As self sufficient as these mild and plaintive, soft and chuckbirds could be however, a camper ling or even sweetly whispering. or picnicker needed only rattle a They give evidence of a variety of lunch sack to attract an expectant communications. Just let a bear or gallery of hungry jays. deer invade an area of twig, root, Although the word "jay" (from the mud, and pine-hidden jays' nests. French jai) means gullible, stupid, The warning chirps of the jays warn and an impertinent chatterer, it is man and forest creature alike of the personally felt that far too much larger intruders. criticism is heaped upon the Steller As native "public relations specialjay. ists" for Yosemite National Park, the Objectionable to some are the jays' Steller jays continue to do an outtotal disregard for other birds, even standing job. Greeting every visitor to the point of eating nestling birds. they can't help but be noticed, and Those who object however, are those people continually enjoy their openwho readily enjoy steak, veal, eyed, expectant chirping. They are chicken, and pork chops. As is usu- amused as the jays appropriate a ally true in nature, the jays them- crumb or berate the unsuspecting selves have often provided a tasty soul that interrupts a quest for crust. entree for other predators. Four To the list of questions often asked fledgling jays that fell to their doom about the features of Yosemite, must from a nest by the Glacier Point Ho- be added this rather unpredictable, tel became just such a repast. yet remarkable bird. Although jays can be impertinent chatterers and noticeably raucous, * Pickwell, Gayle, Birds, Whittlesey House, there are those that object who enjoy McGraw Hill Book Co., New York, 1939. The sooty grouse was not intimidated by the jays. —Harwell
NATURE'S BATHTUBS
By Dick Jackson, Ranger Naturalist Hiking in Yosemite National Park water tumbles into a large pothole. quite often provides the adventure- These stream-bed cobble-stone formsome visitor with an unforgettable ed potholes, some twenty to thirty acquaintance with unusual and en- in number, vary a great deal in size joyable features of nature. It was on and shape. Many are as large as a an early July day during the sum- bathtub, but some of the pools are mer of 1957 that a group of hikers large enough for several people to exploring possibilities for guided all enjoy the invigorating water togethday hikes had the pleasure of view- er. After a fine trail lunch and some ing and finding satisfaction in one relaxation enjoying the wonderful of the geological features of a Yo- views of Yosemite Valley and its sursemite stream bed. roundings from the lip of Ribbon Fall, The pleasant day started with an we could not resist the temptation of automobile trip from Yosemite Val- a brief splash in the inviting natural ley to the El Capitan trail junction on swimming holes. We found the clear the Big Oak Flat road, about two cool water in the potholes delightful. miles below Tamarack Flat. From A sun bath on the adjoining glacial here we hiked approximately four worn granite was especially appreand one half miles along the trail ciated after adventuring into the cold until we came to Ribbon Creek. Feel- water in the depths of the potholes. ing the need for lunch about this With the new energy acquired time, we decided to hike down the from our baths in nature's own bathcreek to the lip of Ribbon Fall. About tubs, the remaining hike to the sumone-fourth of a mile above the rim mit of El Capitan and back to our of the valley the stream bed begins car was easily accomplished. to flow over smooth exposed granite Many such outings in Yosemite that drops in elevation with a series National Park can offer similar reof stair step-like cascades. At the wards for a hiker's efforts. Won't you bottom of each descending slope the have a taste of adventure soon?
OUT OF YOSEMITE'S PAST
A One Picture Story At the turn of the century pageants were popular in Yosemite. Just what was being portrayed here at Mirror Lake is lost to time unless some reader may have the answer.
Spring Summer Autumn Winter A subscription for you or gift subscriptions for your friends will bring the Yosemite story, told accurately and interestingly, twelve times a year. Each subscription: 1 year $1.50; 2 years $2.50; 3 years $3.50. Revenue from the activities of the Yosemite Natural History Association is devoted entirely to assisting the park naturalist division in the furtherance of research and interpretation of the natural and human story in Yosemite National Park. Send subscriptions to: