County environmental health officials are urging residents to be on the lookout for toxic algae in rivers and other fresh water areas following the recent death of a dog shortly after the animal went swimming “in a slow, stagnant pool of water off the Eel River near Scotia.” As the Department of Health and Human […]
Van Duzen
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Evacuation Warnings Remain in Effect for Several Areas Due to Flooding
Evacuation orders issued yesterday for sections of the Eel River Valley have been downgraded but several zones remain under evacuation warnings, including areas around the Van Duzen and Mad rivers, due to flooding. In a storm update today, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office cautioned residents that they should “remain cautious and prepared to leave again […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Spider Eyes
When my wife asked if I wanted to take a midnight stroll I was delighted. I was even more delighted when we saw a couple of unexpected predators. Not wishing to get into a conflict with the bear, we turned around and headed homeward, frequently looking over our shoulders. On the road home, we saw […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Wildfire Smoke Likely to Impact Air Quality
Parts of the North Coast, including Orleans and the Hoopa, Van Duzen and Mad River areas, may experience periods of unhealthy air quality conditions today and this evening due to wildfires. According to the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District, winds coming from the northwest will help disperse the smoke from the Carr Fire […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
HumBug: An Afternoon on the Van Duzen
Trying to stay up to date with the entomological fauna in my area, I went for an extended hike, braving ankle-deep waters and wading upstream from my usual haunts. I saw quite a few pale-faced clubskimmers (Brechmorhoga mendax), one of my many favorite dragonflies. You usually see them flying within inches of the surface at […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
HumBug: Love Songs
Walking through the woods near the Van Duzen River, something caught my eye low in the weeds along side the trail. On close inspection, I was surprised to see a cicada. I usually associate them with warm weather later in the year. It was pretty subdued so I was able to take plenty of photos […]