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by Mike Heine The western monarchs (Danaus plexippus plexippus) are currently dispersing inland, seeking out milkweed to lay eggs and complete another generation cycle on their endless migration. While not genetically distinct from the monarchs that inhabit east of the Rocky Mountains (a natural if somewhat permeable population boundary), western…

By Mike Heine Elk (Cervus canadensis) are the second largest species of deer in the world and native to a large part of the northern hemisphere. In coastal Northern California there are two native subspecies - the Roosevelt elk, which is the largest, and the endemic tule elk, the smallest.…

Bear with us for a moment. It’s time to put away your picnic basket and talk about the American black bear (Ursus americanus). North America’s smallest bear, the American black bear is also California’s only living bear species. They inhabit forested areas all over the North Coast, moseying through the…

The western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) is one of California’s most common toads. They may look mean with their warty appearance, but, please, don't give them the boot! These docile forest creatures are perfectly content with a life of hibernation and snacking. And the other critters in their habitat know to…

Don’t mess with Newt! Say hello to the California newt (Taricha torosa), a local celebrity. You may have seen them bumbling along the forest floor during the rainy season. These newts range from San Diego up to Mendocino County. With their clumsy gait and cute, doleful eyes, you would think…

Did that boulder just sneeze? No! It’s a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) lazing on a sunny beach. Elephant seals can be found resting on beaches all over Northern California. They earned their name because of the uniquely long nose on males -- called a proboscis. But their size counted…

Banana Slug next to a banana. Banana is on the right. :) If ever there was a mascot for the cool, damp forests of the West Coast, it’s the banana slug, a common name applying to several species in the genus Ariolimax. The most common in Northern California’s forests is…

Yikes, what's with this bright red, three-foot-long creature flopping around MY backyard? How the heck did it get here? Well, it’s a fascinating fish-story if there ever was one. Let’s take a moment to tell the tale. These behemoths are colloquially referred to as “salmon,” the most common along the…

Your browser does not support HTML5 video. Humpbacks.  They’re big, imposing, and can weigh 33 tons. But as filter feeders, they pose no threat to me, you or Pinocchio … unless you’re a shrimp. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are gentle giants that tend to avoid confrontation, but sadly they were…