What a handsome fellow! (Joe Oliver/Walnut Creek)

Joe Oliver, who lives in Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, CA, is a wonderful wildlife photographer.

Today, Joe shares an interesting perspective with us in this little show: “A Gobble of Wild Turkeys.”

Enjoy. /Gary
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During Hurricane Katrina, 250,000 pets were stranded. This illustrates why it is so important for all pet owners to plan what they will do in case of an emergency (like a big fire or earthquake) to keep their pets safe.

September is the sixth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) – the perfect time for you to think about the importance of having an emergency preparedness plan for your family and pets.
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Friends of the Earth warns that relying on carbon offsets can lead to climate disaster

I just received the following news release from Friends of the Earth. It’s very interesting. There’s a link to the report below. Please read it and let me know what you think. Thanks.
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Snowy egret hunting at Laumeister unit of Don Edwards S.F. Bay NWR. (Aric Crabb/staff)

Coming Sunday in Bay Area News Group newspapers — A special photo essay of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge by BANG staff photographer Aric Crabb.

Aric uses his keen eye and unique photographic skills to bring you his special views of SUMMER at the S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge … the third in a four-part series.

Aric loaned me a few of his photographs so I can show you a special preview of his Sunday SUMMER photos. Be sure and look for more in Sunday’s newspapers!
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Pacific treefrog

Petitions urge protections for native amphibians from deadly disease

This morning I received the following information from Defenders of Wildlife. Please check it out. It is VERY important to the survival of native amphibians in the United States and around the world. Thanks for caring. /Gary
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It’s that time again. Time for the 32nd annual John Muir Conservation Awards from the John Muir Association in Martinez, CA. I just received the following press release:

Martinez, CA—Our national parks began with John Muir. The man who inspired the world to treasure wild places also diligently worked to protect them. John Muir’s legacy is emulated in the people who work to make the planet a better, healthier place to live. Today, people committed to protecting the air, land, water, forests, wildlife, and the natural resources around them make communities more livable, more sustainable for everyone.

The John Muir Association (JMA) shines a light of recognition on some of these deserving people once a year by awarding its John Muir Conservation Award.
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Our biggest sunflower head (full of seeds!) was 19 inches across. We hang them on the back fence so the squirrels can eat the seeds. Photo by Lois

On Aug. 25, I wrote here about “Gardening: There’s nothing like your own backyard garden.” http://www.ibabuzz.com/garybogue/2009/08/25/gardening-theres-nothing-like-your-own-backyard-garden/

You got a look at what my wife, Lois, and I consider to be our best garden to date. We really LIKE to garden. You might call it our therapy.
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Pacific fisher taking the bait and also taking its own photo. Photo by Flickr user USFS Region 5 used under a Creative Commons License.

DFG Invites Public Comment Related to Pacific Fisher

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is seeking public comment on a proposal to list the Pacific fisher as an endangered or threatened species.

Fishers (Martes pennanti) are medium-sized forest carnivores that are in the same family as mink, weasels and otters. In California, they live in forested regions including portions of the Sierras, Cascades, Klamath Province, north coast redwoods and the Mendocino National Forest. Habitat loss, habitat modification, forest fragmentation and trapping for fur (up until 1945) are considered to be the main factors that affect the fisher population in California.
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Leghold traps are diabolically cruel devices and more than 85 countries have banned or severely restricted their use … yet they are still used in the U.S. Would you like to know why?

Camilla Fox, director of Project Coyote in Larkspur, CA, has written a very interesting article on this subject for the Animal Welfare Institute’s Q magazine entitled, “Trapped in Debate.” You definitely need to read this. /Gary

“Trapped in Debate” http://www.awionline.org/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/14155/pid/14136

Invasive quagga & zebra mussels. Photo by California Department of Fish & Game

I just received the following press release from the California Quagga/Zebra Mussel Interagency Team. We should ALL read this, especially boaters. It’s very important.

The California interagency task force working to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive mussels urges boaters to be especially diligent this holiday weekend. Anyone who visits a lake or reservoir must clean, drain and dry their boats, personal watercraft or any other equipment that comes in contact with the water, both before they arrive and as they are leaving a waterway.
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