In our previous column we mentioned that springtime is a time of preparation for the season of abundance: summer. The emergence of insects and forbs prepares the Hill for the arrival of the next generation, the cute babies. Well that time, the cute season, has arrived at the James. We are in the height of…
It is that time of the year again, the time we typically call springtime. For those of you who follow the annual trip of the Earth around the Sun, you know that usually the beginning of spring is designated as the place in that trip where the tilt of the Earth is such that everywhere…
We live in a forest sanctuary on the Hill, a sky island that we, and many wild animal species, call home. Animals typically roam around in particular locations within these mountains. This specific area is their home range or territory. In the woodland habitat that surrounds Idyllwild, the boundary between the natural and built environments…
To look out on nature, be it a mountain forest such as we have in Idyllwild, a desert or even a tropical forest, what appears to many is a hodgepodge of plants and animals. Admittedly, nature can appear to be a bit messy at times, at least according to our often more organized propensities. For…
“The goal is not to try to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.” — Fred Rogers More than 100 years ago, scientists had already begun to flock to the San Jacinto Mountains to study the unique and diverse wildlife that inhabits our chaparral, mixed forest, riparian and meadow habitats. Our sky…
Greetings from the James Reserve. In continuing at our peeks into the natural world, this installment will be on another species of mammal found in the James and Idyllwild area, the coyote. I refer to them as song dogs in the title because we not only often see coyotes around our woodland homes but we…
Greetings and best holiday wishes from the James Reserve. In our last column, John gave you a peek into the world of mountain lions. In this article, I will share a breaking discovery about another top predator, the common ancestor of all birds. Here’s the spoiler — it had teeth. And also — wait for…
Greetings from the James Reserve. In the first installment of our column, we introduced the James Reserve and promised further “peeks into the natural world” in future columns. In thinking what this first “peek” should be, I have decided on mountain lions. I decided this because I have studied them for many years and as…
By Director Jennifer Gee & Assistant Director John Laundré Idyllwild is set in an ecologically fascinating area. It is a mountain island surrounded by a desert sea. This patchwork of contrasting ecosystems is a window into a rich biodiversity and endemism, life that is unique to a particular place. Scientists have long recognized the San…
