April 1958

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES VOLUME XXXVII - NUMBER 4 APRIL 1958

—Ralph Anderson Upper Yosemite Fall through Black Oaks.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IN COOPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. OUT OF YOSEMITE'S PAST

A One Picture Story —Watkins An early-day picture of Mt. Watkins reflected upon Mirror Lake.

in its 37th year of public service. The monthly publication of Yosemite's park naturalists and the Yosemite Natural History Association. John C. Preston, Superintendent D. H. Hubbard, Park Naturalist Robert F. Upton, Assoc. Park Naturalist W. C. Bullard, Asst. Park Naturalist S. J. Zachwieja, Junior Park Naturalist W. W. Dunmire, Park Naturalist Trainee

VOL. XXXVII APRIL 1958 NO. 4 THE GREAT GRAY OWL

By Howard H. Cofer, Ranger Naturalist Although the great gray owl (Strix indeed, some weigh less than barred nebulosa) is the largest owl in Yosemite, owls (Forbush). When it is perched it was rarely observed here on a high exposed snag, it appears until recent years. It is more typically huge. Its head and face seem ima forest dweller of the northern part mense and its rather small feet are of the Northern Hemisphere. The heavily feathered. Its long wings and great gray owl as described in Birds tail increase its apparent size. Forof Yosemite (a special issue of the bush has said, "Its covering of thick Yosemite Nature Notes published in down and long fluffy feathers (par- August 1954) is from 24-33 inches. ticularly on breast) which make it Large, light gray facial discs marked seem so large and powerful, are faintly with dusky concentric rings; grown as a protection from the cold." eyes yellow; no "ear" tufts; above Most owls sit rather erect but the dark brown with light grayish mot- great gray often sits with its body tling; under parts light gray streaked inclined sharply forward, especially lengthwise with dark brown. Voice a when watching some object below. deep reverberating whoo given at The lack of "horns" and the round irregular intervals..." One synonym head also gives him a more gentle for the Great Gray Owl is Scotiaptex appearance than the great horned nebulosa nebulosa. Scotiaptex is from owl, and several accounts indicate two Greek words which mean "the he is milder in manner. Some observ- Eagle-Owl of darkness"; nebulosa is ers regard him as stupid. Dr. Dall Latin and means "cloudy" or "gray." claimed that he caught them by Much of the size of this "Great hand during the daytime, while up Gray Ghost" is due to his fluffy fea- in the Yukon region. The Ed Cordners thers for when he is denuded he were able to approach within twelve neither looks as large or weighs as feet of one in Peregoy Meadow in much as the great horned owl. In- Yosemite; close enough to obtain a

good photograph while it was perch- ity, had scattered out through the ed on a dead snag. According to Mr. adjacent woods." Robert McIntyre, Mr. Jupe obtained Mr. Charles Michael, who served 450 feet of colored movies at ranges many years in the Yosemite Post down to thirty feet while observing Office, and who was a very capable him for a period of three days in the ornithologist, never had a chance to vicinity of Crane Flat in Yosemite. see the great gray owl. Mr. Fitzpat- The owl was never frightened and rick, present Yosemite Postmaster, did not leave the area, but was cur- who made his start with birds under ious and rather nervous. Mr. Michael, went without finding It was during 1915 while Grinnell this owl for fifteen years. His first oband Storer were making their classic servation was in 1945. Since then he survey of The Animal Life in the Yosemite has seen the great gray many times that the Great Gray Owl was but has never found them nesting. first identified in the Yosemite Sierra. However, the parent birds have been They claimed "... the bird was ap- observed feeding their noisy young parently quite at home, and nesting." in August. The youngsters had reach- They further stated "... a large nest ed the stage where they could fly. of sticks, one hundred feet above the Mr. Fitzpatrick believes they are perground on the close-set branches of manent residents of the Yosemite a fir next to the trunk, was found, Sierra even though no mid-winter which, it is thought, belonged to the records have been made or nests owls." A male and female were sighted. The latest date recorded was taken and, "... as an indubitable in- November 28 and the earliest March dication of her breeding during the 31. There are not many opportunities current nesting season, the female to make observations in mid-winter was found to have a large bare due to the snow. tract on the lower surface of her The most common areas where the body, including the belly and insides great gray owls are seen in Yosemite of the thighs, from which the larger are along the Crane Flat and Glacier feathers had all been removed. As- Point roads. This is deep red fir forest sociated with this condition, directly country, typical of the Canadian life beneath the bare skin, were layers zone, with elevations of 6000 to 7000 of fat, though the bird was otherwise feet. One was observed in late Oclean. As is well known, many birds tober sitting on a tree stump beside show, during the nesting season, the the road near Crane Flat, watching same or similar adaptations for the the cars pass by (McIntyre). The better performance of the functions writer's contact with the great gray of incubation. The male great gray owl occurred the evening of July 11, owl lacked any such modifications, about 7 p.m., while driving on the and we may infer that in this species Tioga Road, just a short distance the female alone performs the duty above Crane Flat. He appeared sudof incubation. The reproductive or- denly from a small opening in the gans of both the birds indicated that forest and nearly flew into the open the time of egg-laying was long past. window of the car. At least it appear- It seems more than likely that a ed that way to the four of us in the brood of young had been reared in car. I swerved the car and Mr. Owl the vicinity and, approaching matur- swerved to the extent that we did not

collide, however. With a slow, heavy The great gray seems to be active flight he circled back into the open- more in daylight hours than is true ing from which he had emerged. This of most owls. This may have come was the extent of our encounter at about as a necessity since in its this time but it started me checking typical range of the Far North the on him. sun never passes below the horizon The Yosemite Museum has two in the summer. specimens of young owls in their The food of the great gray owl in study collection. These were found its more common northern territory, by Ranger Evans in Ackerson Meadow which is just outside the park, seems to consist primarily of small boundary. They had been killed by mammals as well as small birds. hunters and, as is often the fate of "Dr. W. H. Dall took no less than predatory birds, they had been hung thirteen skulls and other remains of on a fence. This was October 19, red poll linnets from the crop of a 1955. The elevation of this area is single bird" (Fisher). Mr. Fitzpatrick around 4500 feet, which is below the thinks the chief food during the sumusual zone where they have been mer in Yosemite is the pocket gofound in Yosemite. pher. On one occasion he observed Although the sexes are alike in an owl catch and devour two gophers in a matter of a few minutes. plumage, the female great gray is A closely related species, the Lapp larger than the male, as is usual with owl, which occurs in Northern Europe owls. From two to five (the average and Asia, has been reported to wanseems to be three) white eggs are der over into Western Alaska. Acproduced which average about 2 x 1¾ cording to Bent, however, this is in. in size. The nesting season in probably an error and is instead the Yosemite is probably in April or Siberian gray owl. early May with only one brood being produced. Immature birds begin On your next visit to Yosemite, it molting in June or July and apparent- may be possible that you will see ly acquire adult-like plumage by the great gray owl. Maybe you will October or November. According to be the first to find its nest and in that Bent, adults apparently have a com- way help complete the picture of eviplete annual molt ending in Novem- dence about him. He is really quite ber and December. an unusual bird.

SPRING CHORUS

By Robert W. Carpenter, Junior Park Naturalist While riding my bicycle near When I arrived at the edge of the Camp 9 in Yosemite Valley one marsh the chorus stopped abruptly warm sunny day toward the end of as though a signal had been given February I heard a chorus of what by an invisible conductor. Nothing must have been hundreds of frogs. to do but wait! Picking a dry grassy Spring is my favorite time of year. It spot a few feet from the water I sat is the time of awakening for flowers, down in the warm sunshine and trees, insects, and animals, large and watched some spiders scurrying over small. Although February is not ex- the pine needles in search of food. actly spring, a few warm days will In a few minutes the croaking was bring some of these creatures out of as loud as before. Slight movements hibernation and dormancy. could be seen on the surface of the The closer I approached the marsh water. Looking closely I could see area near Camp 9 the louder the the forms of the frogs, one here, one chorus became. Deciding to stop and there, scattered all across the open investigate, I walked from the road, water. Moving slowly to the edge of the noise increasing with every step. the marsh I got within about four

—N.P.S.

Meadows like these support great numbers of frogs.

California yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii boylii).

—N.P.S.

feet of the closest frog. Its throat was weeks, until the females finally come expanded to a bubble almost the to the water for mating and laying size of its body. For each croak there eggs. was a contraction of the body. This Although I was familiar with the caused the movements that I had mechanics of frog voices, this was first seen on the water. The throat re- the first time that I had actually witmained expanded between croaks. nessed the action. To me this new Singing is produced as the air experience was just as though I had from the inflated throat pouch is discovered the singing of frogs. It forced out over vocal cords in the was the same feeling I had when I larynx of the throat. The expanded first heard the scolding of a chickasacs in the throat act as resonators ree, the raucous call of the Clark's increasing the volume of the sound. nutcracker, the chattering of the The chorus may be continued by the acorn woodpecker and the melodious male frogs, sometimes for several song of the water ouzel.

WEATHERING ALONG JOINTS

By Franklin Potter, Ranger Naturalist Along the Big Oak Flat Road 7.6 ly and the grains tend to protrude miles from the Merced Highway is farther from the rock mass. The disthe Big Meadow overlook. On the integrated rock which may be called opposite side of the road is located "granite sand" accumulates at the an unusually good example of con- base of the slope or other exposure. centric weathering in the granitic We have referred to the roughly rocks. rectangular pattern of the joints and Most rock masses are traversed by the resulting blocks composing this a series of cracks which are known granitic rock. Any angular boulder to geologists as "joints." Joints in or cobble at the earth's surface tends sedimentary rocks such as sand- to become rounded as it weathers stone, shale, and limestone may be and is reduced in size. This change due to compacting and drying either in form is due to greater weathering in the sediments or in the rocks at the corners and edges where the formed from the sediments, from several zones of weathering along strains induced during changes in the surface overlap and penetrate elevation, or other causes. In granite deeper into the rock. Similarly the and other igneous rocks the joints unaltered granite or granitic rock on are often formed by contraction dur- a cliff face tends to be converted from ing cooling of the formerly-molten rectangular to rounded masses and a mass and during changes in eleva- series of concentric shells or rounded tion of that part of the earth's surface. weathered zones develop from the Weathering is a common geologic joints into the previously unaltered process affecting rock at and near rock. As weathering continues, more the earth's surface. A homogenous and more disintegration (physical rock with no joints or pores can wea- alteration) and decomposition (chemther only on the surface or from the ical alteration) occurs along the surface inward, but in jointed rocks joints so that such areas extend farweathering processes can penetrate ther into the rock mass. The centers the rock along the joints. In many of the blocks that are bounded by rocks such as the granitic rock in the the joints project as rounded, convex exposure described above, the joints "bosses" from the rock mass. In form a roughly rectangular pattern. homogeneous, dense rocks this pro- Along each joint chemical and es- cess is most pronounced. pecially mechanical weathering pen- At several places in this exposure etrates the rock and slowly loosens on the Big Oak Flat Road a series it so that the mineral grains can fall of concentric shells or layers resemfrom the weathered zones along the ble the surface exfoliation or "peeljoints. Thus the fractured areas slow- ing off" of layers of granite from the ly become more recessed. Areas sur- domes in the Sierra. Exfoliation at the rounding the centers of rectangular surface has not as yet been satisfacblocks which are weathered only on torily explained. One suggestion atthe outer surface weather more slow- tributes the formation of such rock

layers to alternate expansion and mile or more below the earth's surcontraction occasioned by diurnal face. Thus the exposure of granite at heating and cooling. Over long peri- the earth's surface occurs only after ods of time alternate expansion and a considerable thickness of overlying contraction could cause layers of rock has been removed by erosion. rock to become separated from the According to this concept the resultmain mass. Another explanation at- ing reduction of pressure causes suftributes the formation of such layers ficient expansion in the granite to to expansion of the granitic rock as produce the exfoliated layers. Unthe weight of overlying rock is re- doubtedly further study will be duced by long continued erosion. necessary to produce exfoliation and Granite is an intrusive igneous rock some time in the future a satisfactory produced by slow cooling of a previ- explanation may be available. ously molten mass at a depth of a —Ralph Anderson Exfoliation and fracturing along joints at Royal Arch Lake.

HITES COVE — HENNESS — OLD INSPIRATION POINT TRAIL

[map]

THE HENNESS TRAIL TO YOSEMITE VALLEY

Carl P. Russell Yosemite mail carriers of the [Merced] river, thence up the river to 1870s, '80s and '90s have left a few Hennessy's [has deteriorated to "Henness" vague references to a winter route in present usage] Ranch, six miles from from Mariposa which gave access to Hites, then will follow the river for a Yosemite Valley on those occasions mile or so, and diverge from the stream when snow blocked the usual [ascend into the mountains] and intersect routes. Rarely, a reference is encoun- the Mariposa Trail at the "Hermitage" tered which indicates that a few [Grouse Creek]. The entire distance from sightseers also followed the now-for- Mariposa, by this route is given as gotten trail. (See Homer W. Wood's thirty-nine miles, eighteen of which is by "Gay Nineties" article, Yosemite a wagon road. Aside from the distance NATURE NOTES, January, 1951, pp. saved, the advantage is that it avoids the 2-5). Present-day maps may show heavy snow region of the ridges and parts of the route, but, of course, they hence can be traveled earlier than any reveal none of its history. As a matter other route. of fact, very little of its history is This item was abstracted by the known. The following news item from Mariposa historian, May Corcoran, THE MARIPOSA FREE PRESS, March 24, while she was employed in the Ban- 1871, may possibly stir some interest croft Library by the Western Educaand encourage investigation. tional Headquarters, National Park Service, during the 1930s. Unfortun- NEW ROUTE TO Yosemite. — A sub- ately, she did not comment upon the scription has been started for the purpose effects of the trail on travel trends. of raising funds to construct a good trail Wagon roads reached the Valley a from Hites Cove to the Yosemite valley. few years after the Hites Cove Route There is already a wagon road nearly to was opened; nevertheless, the "snowthe Cove from Mariposa, by way of Clark free" route found some use for thirty and Cook's sawmill. It will be completed years. Some details of that use must this summer. From Hites Cove the trail have been recorded somewhere. will cross the dividing ridge to the main Map drawn by Dorothy Rice Armato from sketch by Dr. Carl P. Russell.

YOSEMITE

McGurk astride his Pinto

CAPTAIN JOHN J. McGURK By Lloyd W. Brubaker, Ranger-Naturalist About a mile off the Glacier Point work as a farm hand and cowboy. Road, to the left as you approach The hills called him back, however, Bridalveil Creek from Badger Pass, and he became a "hog-man," which is a tumbledown cabin on the edge the Mariposa Miner said was several of a meadow. The meadow is called degrees higher in the social scale McGurk Meadow, and the cabin than a sheep man. For several years must have been John J. McGurk's, McGurk raised hogs and a general although no absolute proof of this commotion in and about Oakdale, can be found. then called Fresno Flats. There he John, or Jack as he is often called, graduated to raising cattle. In 1896 must have been quite a man in his McGurk moved to Nipinnawassee in day. He purchased the land from Madera County, got married, and Hugh Davanay in 1895. Two years settled down. His wife, it is said, civilater U. S. troops took over the ad- lized him considerably. He served as ministration of the area. They found a deputy sheriff under Sheriffs J. F. his title clouded and he was removed Clarke and J. J. Mullery of Mariposa from the land. It seems that a Mr. County and John Barnett of Madera Thomas M. Again wrongly described County. It appears that he was quick the land when he filed for 160 acres with his trigger finger, which was for a homestead. The land that Again probably a valuable asset to such a filed for was on Illilouette Creek, one position in those days. He earned the township east. The Illilouette land title of "Captain" when he commandwas all straight up and down and ed the Anti-rustler Company of Mariworthless. Again, presumably not posa. He was just plain hemp poison knowing of his mistake, sold the land to cattle thieves. to Davanay, who in turn sold it to In 1941 an item in a Madera paper McGurk. When McGurk was so rude- says that Jack McGurk was the Honly made aware of the mistake, he orary Grand Marshal of an Old forced Davanay to reimburse him for Timers Day parade. The ribbon he the erroneous title. Davanay could received for this honor is in the Yosemite not induce the Land Office to trade Museum. No further infortitles; so he was unable to dispose of mation on McGurk's life has been unthe cliffs of Illilouette. The end result earthed by this writer. was that the land called McGurk The Yosemite Museum contains Meadow, on which the cabin stands, several other items of interest of never did leave public ownership. McGurk's. These have been donated McGurk led an interesting and by Mrs. E. T. Schaller of Ahwahnee, busy life in this area. He was born Madera County, California. They in- May 1, 1856, on the right bank of clude a pair of leather leggings, a San Antonio Creek, Calaveras deputy's badge, boots, and a very County, California. He ran away fine pistol of .44 caliber that is on from home about 1868 and went to display. Mr. M. B. Evans (Yosemite

NATURE NOTES, April 1951) describes ged appearance, a man among men, the gun and notes that it did not have an old timer whose brief stay in Yosemite much in the way of holster wear. Evi- left both landmarks and legdently McGurk did not carry a gun ends of interest to the visitor-historian. except when exercising authority as His old cabin will be repaired this deputy sheriff. The accompanying summer, that it may help tell the photograph of McGurk astride a story of this colorful character. pinto pony shows him to be of rug-

JERSEYDALE BALD EAGLE

By Allan E. Shields, Ranger Naturalist The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos A pair of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus canadensis) is observed in Yosemite leucocephalus) had built a crude nest of fairly frequently. During this past limbs, sticks and twigs on a foundasummer, I saw them on four different tion of large Ponderosa Pine limbs occasions while conducting hikes which formed a whorl at the spot near Tuolumne Meadows. The Bald where the trees had been broken Eagle is only rarely reported. Thus off. Thus the nest rested on the platthe following incidents may be of es- form as though it had been built on pecial interest. the top of a tall pine post. On June 22, 1957, my eldest son Oakley was hunting for butterflies As we watched through binocin the vicinity of Jerseydale, an area ulars, we saw the female calmly viewjust southwest of Yosemite National ing the small throng of human dis- Park near the South Fork of the Mer- tractors, but only her top half was ced River, but considerably above visible. Then we saw the male in the the river (elevation 3800-4000 ft.) top of a Ponderosa Pine tree some While sauntering through the forest, 175 feet tall. We found him only behe was alerted by a giant shadow cause he screamed at us. He and had only time to duck to one screamed once more, then soared side when the great bird flew close off. above him, screaming. Oakley stud- On Friday, August 2, we again ied the area and located a nest. visited the place. Of course the nest A few days later, several of us was empty. We felt privileged to found the spot again (1½ miles down have seen the national bird in an the Hites Cove Road from Jerseydale unusual habitat. But Oakley was Road, then South 200 yards). Seven- most honored. Imagine being atty-five feet above the ground this tacked by the national symbol!

PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE AT THE YOSEMITE MUSEUM

All mail orders should be addressed to, and remittances made payable to, Yosemite NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION, Yosemite NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA. Prices include postage, insurance, and on proper items, California State Sales Tax 3%, plus 1% County Tax.

GENERAL

Adams' Guide to Yosemite Valley, Illustrated $1.65 Auto Tour of Yosemite Valley, Self-Guiding - Beatty and Harwell .30 Auto Tour of Yosemite National Park - Ditton and McHenry .60 Campsite Finder (Western) - Hartesveldt 1.65 Climber's Guide to High Sierra (Sierra Club) 3.25 Devils Postpile National Monument - Hartesveldt .30 Exploring Our National Parks and Monuments - Butcher (paper) 3.75 Exploring Our National Parks and Monuments - Butcher (cloth) 5.40 Going Light - With Backpack or Burro - Sierra Club 2.25 Happy Isles Nature Center, Your Guide to - Hubbard .20 National Park Story in Pictures - Story .80 National Parks, The - What They Mean to You and Me - Tilden (cloth) 6.20 National Parks, The - What They Mean to You and Me - Tilden (paper) 1.15 Nature Trail - Inspiration Point, Self-Guiding - Carpenter .20 Nature Trail - Mariposa Grove, Self Guiding - Wason .20 Outdoor Hazards - Real and Fancied - Hood 4.25 Place Names of Yosemite Valley - Hartesveldt .30 Rocks & Minerals, How to Know Them - Pearl .65 Rocks & Minerals of California and Their Story - Brown-Allan 3.00 Starr's Guide to John Muir Trail and High Sierra Region 2.25 This is California - Obert 8.00 Waterfalls, Famous, of the World - Brockman .60 Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada - Ansel Adams & John Muir 12.70 Yosemite Story, The - Scott 1.20

ANIMAL LIFE

Animal Tracks, Field Guide to - Murie 4.30 Birds of Pacific States - Hoffman 5.40 Birds, Western, Field Guide to - Peterson 4.30 Birds of Yosemite - Stebbins .85 Fishes of Yosemite National Park - Evans-Wallis .50 Mammals, Field Guide to - Burt and Crossenheider 4.30 Mammals of Yosemite National Park - Parker .60 Reptiles and Amphibians of Yosemite National Park - Walker .45 Survey of Sierra Nevada Bighorn - Jones .60

TREES AND FLOWERS

Broadleaved Trees of Yosemite National Park - Brockman .60 Cone-bearing Trees of Yosemite National Park - Cole .45 Ferns, Field Guide to - Cobb 4.30 Flowers of Coast and Sierra - Clements 4.85 Sequoias, Yosemite, Guide to the - McFarland .50 Trees of Yosemite - Tresidder and Hess 2.20 Wildflowers, Common, of Yosemite - Beatty, Harwell and Cole .25 Wildflowers of the Sierra (80 color photos) - Hubbard .55 Wildflowers, Western, Field Book of - Armstrong 5.40

HISTORY AND INDIANS

Ghost Mines of Yosemite - Hubbard (paper) 1.20 Ghost Mines of Yosemite - Hubbard (cloth) 2.50 Gold, Guns and Ghost Towns - Chalfant 3.80 Indians, Yosemite, Yesterday and Today - Godfrey .35 John Muir, Protector of the Wilds - Haines-Morrill 2.00 Miwok Material Culture - Barrett and Gifford (paper) 2.20 Miwok Material Culture - Barrett and Gifford (cloth) 3.25 Mother Lode Country, Guide to the - Brockman .60 100 Years in Yosemite - Russell (paper) 2.20 100 Years in Yosemite - Russell (cloth) 3.25 One Thousand California Place Names - Gudde 1.15 Steve Mather of the National Parks - Shankland 5.45 Wilderness World of John Muir, The - Teale 4.85 Yosemite: The Story of An Idea - Huth .35

GEOLOGY AND MAPS

Geologic History of Yosemite Valley (Prof. Paper 160) - Matthes 5.75 Geology of Yosemite Valley, Brief Story of - Beatty .25 High Sierra Camp Areas, Pocket Guide to - Clark .60 High Sierra Camp Areas, Trail Guide to - Clark 1.15 Incomparable Valley, The - Matthes (paper) 2.15 Map of Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP, Topographic - USGS 1.15 Map of Yosemite National Park, Topographic - USGS .60 Map of Yosemite Valley, Topographic, shaded (geology story printed on back) .60 North Country of Yosemite, Pocket Guide to - Clark .60 North Country of Yosemite, Trail Guide to - Clark 1.15 South Boundary Country, Pocket Guide to - Clark .60 South Boundary Country, Trail Guide to - Clark 1.15

FOR CHILDREN

A Day with Tupi, An Indian Boy of the Sierra - Hubbard (paper) 1.20 A Day with Tupi, An Indian Boy of the Sierra - Hubbard (cloth) 2.50 Animal Friends of the Sierra - Hubbard (paper) 1.20 Animal Friends of the Sierra - Hubbard (cloth) 2.50