California sea lions, a regular fixture alongside many areas of the Golden State’s 1,100 mile coastline, are known for their playful dog-like antics and social manner. Tourists from all over … Read more
Beth Pratt-Bergstrom’s Archive
Give a Hoot for Yosemite’s Great Gray Owl
This year’s theme for National Wildlife Week, “Branching Out for Wildlife,” celebrates trees and their importance to wildlife and people. In California, we couldn’t think of a more remarkable—or more … Read more
Sutro Sam: San Francisco’s Celebrity River Otter
“There he is!” exclaimed an onlooker as the otter’s head peered above the water. The patient crowd gathered around Sutro Baths—the ruins of a 19th century public bathing pool on … Read more
Marine Mammal Mania!
Along California’s 840 miles of coastline, you can view a wonderful array of marine mammals. And the sightings recently have been unprecedented, from what might be the largest pod of … Read more
The Porpoises Who Left Their Hearts in San Francisco
Tony Bennett isn’t the only one to leave his heart in San Francisco. After an absence of over 65 years, the harbor porpoise recently returned to frolic in the waters … Read more
Wish They All Could Be California Squirrels…
Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! California is home to ten species of these cute and mischievous critters, including the state’s namesake animal: the California Ground Squirrel. In celebration of Squirrel Appreciation … Read more
Top Ten California Wildlife Moments 2012
California is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, from the grey whales swimming in its coastal waters, to the sandhill cranes soaring over the Central Valley, to the bighorn … Read more
What a bear really does in the woods…in Yellowstone
During my time in Yellowstone, I witnessed some truly extraordinary wildlife encounters. Yet none compare with the experiences of Doug Smith, the leader of Yellowstone’s Wolf Project. Doug has studied … Read more
Whales, Dolphins, Seals, Oh My! Marine Mammals at California’s Central Coast
Whales and other marine mammals have been sighted recently in abundance off the Central Coast of California-specifically Avila, Pismo and Seal Beaches. Photos and videos of humpback whales surfacing and … Read more
Facing the Reality of Climate Change: My Day With Al Gore
“Nature doesn’t do bailouts.” The former Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore made this simple yet powerful statement to our group after showing us startling images of the devastating … Read more