A far corner of Redwood Acres Fairground in Eureka turned into a logging-sports performance field for 175 talented student-athletes from 10 campuses across the western U.S. from Wednesday to Friday, March 13-15. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Cal Poly Humboldt Logging Sports Team hosted the Collegiate Logging Sports Competition as part […]
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Once More into the Bay for the Perilous Plunge
A sunny and very timely break in Saturday morning’s rainy weather arrived just before wildly costumed Perilous Plunge participants gathered in Old Town for their parade to the foot of F Street in Eureka. From there, they would leap into the chilly water of Humboldt Bay. Their watery splashes in the 23rd annual fundraiser for the […]
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Bird Names for Everyone
Of all the birding news stories that came down in 2023, perhaps none was more unexpected than the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS) decision to change the names of up to 152 North American bird species, eliminating honorific and eponymous names. That means so long, Steller’s jay. Bye-bye, Brewer’s blackbird. Hasta la vista, Heermann’s gull. Why? […]
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A Dry(er) Trinidad to Clam Beach Run
After days of rain, Mother Nature cooperated, providing beautiful, warm sunshine for the 58th annual Trinidad to Clam Beach Run Saturday, Feb. 3. A total of 584 runners and walkers showed up at the starting line in Trinidad for the 5.75-mile run/walk. Given the ongoing rainfall this winter, race organizers were debating pre-race until Friday afternoon as […]
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Trinidad to Clam Beach Run
Congratulations! You survived the 10 darkest weeks of the year, and now it’s time for the 58th annual Trinidad to Clam Beach Run. Running or walking the 5.75 miles from Trinidad to the finish line at Clam Beach is a great opportunity to have a little fun, experience some of the best of our Humboldt […]
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Spark Birds
Those of us who are besotted with birds can often trace our interest back to one particular bird, our “spark bird.” Seeing that bird ignited a fascination with the species that’s impacted our lives in myriad ways, from where we live to what we do for a living and how we spend our free time […]
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A Daily Dose of Awe
One of my favorite outdoor activities is running in Sue-meg State Park. I start on Patrick’s Point Drive; the stretch of road between the two beautiful wooden signs marking the turnoff and the entrance station is like a red carpet laid out by the park’s welcoming committee. Past the entrance station, I turn left at […]
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Birding Facts and Myths
Once you get hooked on birding, you might be surprised to discover it’s not just about birds. You’ve studied the field guides. You’ve listened to so many bird song recordings you chirp in your sleep. Now you’re thinking about taking your obsession, er, hobby to the next level. Perhaps, while you’ve been watching birds, you’ve […]
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Look! Up in the Sky!
While we’re caught up in the daily grind here on the ground, there’s a lot of great birding happening above our heads. That’s where the big birds fly: the eagles, hawks and vultures that quicken the pulse of birders and nonbirders alike because of their sheer bulk and massive wingspans. However, conditions are seldom ideal […]
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David’s Chair Blazes Accessible Trails in Prairie Creek Redwoods
Wheelchair access is hard enough to find in our paved world. A park trail threading its way through 1,000-year-old evergreen conifers presents countless obstacles that can keep those with mobility issues from fully enjoying Humboldt’s old growth forests. Fortunately, as time passes, more barriers fall by the wayside. And what better time than a centennial […]
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Birding with Dogs
One of the things I enjoy most — besides birding and Giants baseball, of course — is spending time outdoors with my dog Aggie. In a perfect world, I’d be able to combine two out of the three and look at birds with Aggie by my side. But our attempts thus far have been, well, […]
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A Bird in Hand
You’re strolling around the neighborhood one morning when something odd catches your eye. You take a closer look and find a bird in the grass. It looks like a young one: Some of its feathers are stubby, others fluffy, and it hops along as if unsure how to fly. You’re worried it might end up […]