See the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse - Greetings from Wyoming!

August 21, 2017
A roadside pull out on the Wind River Reservation.

Clouds stream by, covering the sun... did we pick the wrong spot?

First Contact:
Kind of Cloudy

The temperature begins to drop
The morning birds become quieter.

 

The sky clears!

Darkness slides over the road and the nearby farm.

Crickets start to chirp - extreme shadows!

A few seconds before totality! 
Bailey's beads!
Diamond ring!

Second Contact:
Totality!

Third Contact:
Diamond ring again!

  Darkness peels away and the sun hits you like a hammer.

A rooster crows restarting his day....

For more info on eclipses, and Wyoming - Visit us and subscribe at TheEarthMinute.com

The Earth Minute presents: Preview to the American Total Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017

In Hot Water - Yellowstone Basin - Visiting Yellowstone National Park  

Storm Brewing over Grand Tetons National Park, WY 
See Yellowstone Hot Pools Bubbling (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming)
Listen to The Dragon (Yellowstone National Park)

Desert Tortoise Takes First Drink of Spring

Tortoise hibernation, or winter torpor, is an amazing adaptation. For 3-5 months they sleep without eating, drinking or eliminating waste. When they wake up in the spring, they need a long drink of water.

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This male desert tortoise has been hibernating since the first week of December 2016. He woke up this morning March 16, 2017.

Watch him drink. His eyes and nose are submerged. He lets the water bathe his eyes and sucks water in and out of his nasal passage to flush out his nose. The Aldabra tortoise, from islands in the Indian Ocean, is known to have a flap in its nasal passage that allows the tortoise to draw water up its nostrils and into its throat without pulling the water into its lungs. I think there is a good chance that other tortoises have this adaptation as well. If you look closely you can see a brown plume area in front of the desert tortoise's nose where it has pushed away the dirt on the bottom of the pan as it blew water out through its nostrils. 

Notice how much he drinks. How much lower the water level is along his body when he stops drinking. 

The creatures around us have amazing adaptations for survival. Definitely worthy of an extra minute to stop and appreciate.

More Earth Minutes with desert tortoises:
Backyard Breakfast - Reptile Style (CA desert tortoise & western fence lizard)
Desert Tortoise Hibernation
Signs of Spring (California desert tortoise)
   
and other tortoises
See Aphrodisia and The Temple of Aphrodite, Anatolia, Turkey (spur-thighed tortoise)

Visit TheEarthMinute.com for your weekly minute in nature. 

Catalina Clams in Baja, Mexico

Sometimes an Earth Minute is right at your feet.

I recently traveled to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Along the shores of the lagoon there were mounds and mounds of shells.

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Catalina clams were over harvested here in the last century. The clams were sold as food and millions of their shells were sold in the U.S. for decoration. The mounds of shells piled up in the desert are a testament to the enormity of the over harvesting. Similar mounds can also be seen of pen scallop shells.

Protection of numerous shellfish species over the past few decades has made a difference. Species like the Catalina clam and pen scallop are making a come back. Today fishing combines with tourism to support the local economy.

I went to San Ignacio for the whales. Earth Minutes with gray whales are coming!

Other Earth Minutes with protected species
Meet An Island Fox
Protected Island Fox
Meet a Dugong
Meet a Platypus 
American Bison
Snowy Egret 
Saltwater crocodile
How Tall is a Redwood Tree
California desert tortoise
Great Barrier Reef 

Visit TheEarthMinute.com for weekly natural experiences.

Pouring Rain in California 2017

It's true. When it finally rains in California, it pours.

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Thursday, Feb. 16th, we had our first big rain storm in years. No post because our electricity went out.

Soaking rains over the previous month have made a huge difference for the hillside. This rain is soaking in before running off. No mud flowing.  Two inches fell before noon, a total of four and a quarter inches for the day.

Spring flowers are already emerging and the plum tree is about to burst into bloom.

Have to love the rain.

Rain Earth Minutes:
Rain in New York's Central Park in Fall
Listen to a Rainstorm Approaching Kakadu National Park, Australia
How Do Trees Dream? 
Illinois Butterflies After the Rain 
Great Horned Owl Takes Shelter

TheEarthMinute.com your 1-minute weekly escape

Saved By The Endangered Species Act

Human survival and well being depends on a healthy robust environment. We know what works.


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Channel Island foxes were headed toward extinction in the year 2000. Seventeen years later, because of the Endangered Species Act and active conservation efforts from a broad range of government agencies, private and public conservation organizations, and community members, island foxes are thriving again.

Positive change and clean-up takes much longer and is far more financially expensive than prevention. Forests can not regrow overnight. Cleaning-up coastal waters takes decades. Bringing a species back from the brink of extinction is difficult.

We are going to hear a lot about "common sense" regulation in the next four years. Whether we like to admit it or not there are people who place their own personal gain over the health and well being of other people and the planet. The Environmental Protection Agency, Justice Department, Interior Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and Energy Department are supposed to act on behalf of the least represented, to protect those with the least-heard voice.

What good is military might if we poison ourselves with chemical-laced water and toxic air?

If you stood under a clear blue sky today, thank the Clean Air Act and continuing updates of vehicle emissions standards.

If you could drink your tap water, thank the Clean Water Act.

If you saw a bird fly overhead that was something other than a starling, European house sparrow, or a feral rock dove, thank the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.

If, in the last five years, you saw a bald eagle, brown pelican, elephant seal, California sea lion, sea otter, grizzly bear, gray wolf, American bison, sandhill or whooping crane, peregrine falcon, gray whale, Florida key deer, or a Channel Island fox, thank the Endangered Species Act.

We've made too many positive steps toward a cleaner, safer planet. Let's not let it slip away.

TheEarthMinute.com 

because we are part of the Earth's community.

Take an 18th Century Carriage Ride Through Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

On the morning of December 31st, we took a ride back in time.
A carriage ride through Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. 

We bundled up a into our open carriage and took a tour along the streets where only foot traffic and horse drawn vehicles could go.

Take a minute and come back to the 18th Century with us!

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For More trips through time and space...
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Listen to The Earth Minute in an Antique Clock Shop - Pacific Grove, CA

Stroll Kew Gardens, London (Palm House) 

Walk Back in Time, Seoul Korea (palace and gardens)
 
New Year's Torch Parade, Snow Summit, Big Bear CA  

Take a Trip out of Victoria Harbour - in A Zodiac - to visit local residents: ORCA

On a beautiful, sunny July afternoon, we donned orange cold weather suits.

 

Why?

To take a zodiac trip across choppy waters to visit some special local residents.

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Whale watching for  Orcinus orca (killer whales)!

 These resident orcas are fish eaters – They are salmon specialists. About 80% of their diet is Chinook salmon. 

The orcas that visit the waters surrounding San Juan Island are known as the Southern Resident Killer Whales.

The males like this one,

are much bigger than the females, 

and have a larger and more developed dorsal fin.

For more water adventures:
 visit us at TheEarthMinute.com 

Catch a View and Catch a Pike, Squanga Lake, Yukon, Canada 

Birds and Marine Mammals of CA Channel Islands (long & short-beaked common dolphin, blue & fin whale) 
Sea Birds on Great Barrier Reef, Michaelmas Cay, Queensland, Australia
Plunge into a California Tide Pool (sea stars, swell shark, sea cucumber, garibaldi fish)  
 
 

An Earthly Take on Food

Take a minute to enjoy a colorful plate directly from the garden.

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This wonderful kaleidoscope of salads was created by our friend Peter for a gathering of friends.

Bring the Earth to your table with fresh veggies and savor a tasty Earth Minute. 

More Earth Minutes with a human touch:

Walk to The Getty Center 
Visit Southern California Flower Show 
How Do Trees Dream (fiber art) 

Autumn in Los Angeles

Yes, southern California has seasons! They are just different from the expected and therefore are typically discounted.

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Summer is a time of dormancy for our plants, not winter. Winter is our time of growth and renewal. With recent Fall rain, bulbs are appearing. 

It is also time to plant. Native plants are more likely to be successful if planted in the Autumn. This gives them all winter to establish themselves before the harsh realities of a dry hot summer. We're planting natives that we picked up at the CA Native Plant Society plant sale last weekend.

desert sunflower

Sages have been successful for us and they provide nectar for Valley carpenter bees and hummingbirds. We're trying a new Salvia leucophylla. This desert sunflower, Encelia farinosa, is a new species for us. Hopefully its flowers will provide nectar for bees and butterflies (Name this Butterfly). 

Some CA creatures are preparing for a long winter sleep. See more Earth Minutes with desert tortoises:
Tortoises in spring 
Sleepy Tortoise 
Tortoise and Lizard Buddies

Creating habitat is a year-round effort, but Autumn in Los Angeles is the time to start something new. Native plants attract wild creatures and bring Earth Minutes to you. More on native plants and native plant gardens.

Visit each week for a new Earth Minute

Swim Up a Salmon Ladder! Coho at Capilano Salmon Hatchery, Vancouver, BC

Swim Up a Salmon Ladder!

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Coho salmon swim up the salmon ladder back to the gravel beds  where they hatched.

 

The Capilano River in North Vancouver, British Columbia was dammed in 1954.  

Cleveland Dam blocks Capilano Lake for hydro power and fresh drinking water. This blocked the spawning ground stream beds for the native salmon.

Below is the first small dam to divert the salmon to the ladder.

It's really cool to see the salmon as they make their way upstream!

See the {above} "ladder step" to the left?

Capilano River Salmon Hatchery, 4500 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, B.C. Canada V7R 4L3

 For more fish Stories:

 Visit us and Subscribe to TheEarthMinute.com

Longest Day of the Year - Glacier Bay, Southeast Alaska 

(small marine fish chased by predator)
Catch a View and Catch a Pike, Squanga Lake, Yukon, Canada 
Floating the Outlet Stream - Squanga Lake, Yukon, Canada (arctic grayling)
Australian Great Barrier Reef Swim

 (parrot fish, zebra fish, giant clams, coral

Ravens Complain on the Power Pole

Common ravens Corvus corax have become more common in Southern California.

One very hot afternoon we heard incessant throaty calling outside the window.
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These three were sitting on the power pole across the street.

106 degrees Fahrenheit
41 degrees Celsius

Check out the "Hot Dog" in the video.... 
 For more ravens and birds check out TheEarthMinute.com

The Earth Minute: Ruffled Feathers - What's That Bird?

Visit Homes High Above Palm Springs (woodpecker nests)
Walking the L.A. River - Glendale Narrows (black-necked stilt, American wigeon)
Band-tailed Pigeons Take over FeederWatch
 Experience Mamukala Wetlands at Dusk (magpie geese, pied heron, royal spoonbill, great egret, whistling kite, plumed whistling duck, bush hen) 

Record a stream! Mount Seymour Provincial Park

How do you listen to a stream?
How do you record a stream? 
At Mount Seymour Provincial Park, we took a walk through damp British Columbia rainforest.

As we crossed a footbridge on the Baden-Powell trail,

I really liked the sound of the water trickling down the mossy logs and across the stones into a small rivulet.   Listen!

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Baden-Powell Trail blaze sign

 

I made a mental note to record it when we hiked back by.
Listen to the Stream!

 For another high def recording of another river, and other organic sounds...
 visit us at TheEarthMinute.com and tell a friend!

Listen to the River! Russian River Adventure Canoe Trip, Healdsburg, CA
The Voices of a River - Lamoille Canyon, NV

Walk back in time from Modern Seoul, Korea.

Walk from modern Seoul through the palaces and gardens of an earlier time.

 

Located in northern Seoul, South Korea - Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty built in 1395.
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The gardens are beautiful, and have surprises in the water!

 For more world travels - visit us at TheEarthMinute.com

Flying Foxes in Cairns, North Queensland, Australia
Catch a View and Catch a Pike, Squanga Lake, Yukon, Canada 

Night Sounds - Listen in at Massacre Rocks State Park, Idaho

It's hard to find a quiet place when you're on the road.
We camped at Massacre Rocks State Park in Idaho - a great stop.
Only issue -  the road is a bit close....

 This is park is right along the famous Oregon Trail. Listen in!

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 The insects were loud, but the road was a bit louder - even at 2 am!
 Watch the moon for a while and listen to the night.

 

 Fore more natural sound recordings, visit us at  TheEarthMinute.com.

Wind Across Western Mongolia 
 
See Yellowstone Hot Pools Bubbling (geothermal pools)  
Sounds of Summer - August in Illinois (high prairie insects)