California Nature Photos
Scenic Vistas And Unique Wildlife Shots
GREEN CENTER & ECOLOGY HUB:
We must work together to protect the environment, since our survival hangs in the balance too. California Nature Photos wants you to get involved. Wildlife is pushed to the brink and we can make a difference. If we do our part and understand the truth, then we see all living things are connected together. We have to work as a team to affect real change. Please help. See the tips below and take a peek at the Sierra Club's website by clicking on their logo below.
LET'S ALL DO OUR PART:
We can all Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It's huge! Conserve water whenever you can and take a walk instead of taking a drive. Seek alternatives to heavy energy usage for your own sake. Install high efficiency light bulbs and unplug any electric appliance you don't use every day. Close your window shades during the hottest part of the day to minimize excessive heat gain so you turn on the AC less! Open your windows after sunset to reduce your indoor temperature and try to get cross-ventilation going with a fan in the window. Ceiling fans and whole house fans are also great! Try to reduce your overall energy usage during peak hours. That means you need to do your laundry, or use other large appliances after 7 P.M. (and early in the morning)
We need to recycle more bottles, cans and paper products, but did you know you should also recycle batteries and computer equipment? Most of these products contain some kind of hazardous waste, or heavy metal that can harm the environment if they're thrown into the landfill. Most cities, or counties have "cleanup days" and designated drop off sites for things like e-waste and household hazardous waste. Check out city, county and state websites to find out more about these kinds of programs. Remember to properly dispose of unused paints, stains and household chemicals.
Other ways to save energy abound. If you plan ahead, you can make a big difference. Combine errands and tasks so you drive less. Gas prices are insanely high, so we need to find ways to reduce our energy usage. Carpool when you can and use public transit. You would be surprised how many options are available. Ride your bike to work if you can. Find creative solutions to life's problems.
CHECK IT OUT:
You can check your local utility's web site to find out about other ways to save energy and protect the environment. In California, P G & E has information on this and many programs/rebates you can benefit from.
This area of the web site for California Nature Photos is also intended to be a forum to facilitate education about Nature and wildlife. Below you'll find topics on wildlife viewing and other tips to help make your time outdoors more enjoyable and safe.
WILDLIFE VIEWING:
There are a few basic rules of thumb to remember when going out into Nature to view, or photograph animals. First, you want to make sure you don't disturb, or affect the behavior of the animals you're watching. If they notice you and take action to get away, then you've come too close. For your own safety, never get too close to a wild animal. It's best to use a viewing scope, or zoom lens to watch animals and their behaviors at a distance. If we disturb animals in the wild, we may keep them from getting needed rest, or we may cause them to use energy they need to get away from a predator, or survive some other hardship. The world is full of hardships for animals and we have destroyed much of their natural habitat, so we have to be sensitive to their needs.
Another important thing to remember is we need to walk carefully in sensitive areas and respect, or obey signs that mark open spaces off limits due to habitat restoration and other management practices. Always consider there may be endangered animals and plants around, so tread lightly. Never take plants, animals or even rocks home with you. Don't disturb the natural environment and leave it as you found it for others to enjoy.
OUTDOOR BASICS:
Here are a few tips to remember when preparing to go hiking, biking, or when doing other outdoor activities. First and foremost, always travel with a friend and tell someone else where you're going, or your basic itinerary. It may seem like a no brainer, but always put on sunscreen 30 minutes before you're going to be in the sun and reapply during the day, especially if you've been sweating. Carry more drinking water than you think you need and always be prepared with proper footwear / gear. It's a good idea to bring a map, GPS unit, or compass if you are going off the beaten path and a cell phone can save your life if you get lost. Even if you don't have cellular reception, you can still hit 911 and there's a decent chance your ping will get through to the authorities.
Always carry some food, or energy bars etc. with you, because you never know what can happen out there and you should be prepared. We never plan to fail, but often fail to plan! If you're going up to the mountains in Winter, always bring tire chains, extra warm gear like jackets and boots, so you can get out of bad situations. An emergency blanket is always a good thing to put in the car during these kinds of trips and as mentioned before, make sure to bring plenty of food and water.
It's a good idea to have an emergency kit for your vehicle when you travel. A flashlight should be in your kit and some basic tools like pliers and screwdrivers. There are also inexpensive jumper cables out now with their own battery attached to them so you can start your car in the middle of nowhere if the battery gets run down. I have this setup in my truck and I've used it twice and let some other guy use it once too! I wouldn't go anywhere without it. I also suggest getting a small air compressor for your vehicle that works off your cigarette lighter, or as with the jumper cables, you can get ones now with their own rechargable battery attached. They can help you put air in your flat tire, or fill up an air mattress when you go camping. I keep one of these in my truck too. The bottom line is that you should take whatever you need to be prepared for the outdoors. There are many other precautions you can take to be safe when you travel.
There are many aspects to Education and Conservation of Wildlife. Here in California we lead the way, but there's still work to do. We can develop more ways to protect Nature and the animals around us if we care enough to get involved. Many of the best solutions are easy and simple! If we work together to save the plants and animals around us, then the work becomes lighter. Many hands make the work light!
In California there are many places to visit and learn about Nature and Wildlife. Many of our State Parks and Regional Preserves have education programs and hands on training, like trail maintenance, or stream cleanups. I suggest looking into the many options out there in your neck of the woods. You can find wildlife museums and guided Nature walks. You can see beautiful streams, meadows, wildflowers and much more right in your own back yard. Take a look around and enjoy yourself!
California Nature Photos is dedicated to helping protect the environment. We want Nature and Wildlife to flourish. Other tips and information will be posted on this page as time allows! To get back to the home page click below, or use this link: www.CaliforniaNaturePhotos.com
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LET'S ALL DO OUR PART:
We can all Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It's huge! Conserve water whenever you can and take a walk instead of taking a drive. Seek alternatives to heavy energy usage for your own sake. Install high efficiency light bulbs and unplug any electric appliance you don't use every day. Close your window shades during the hottest part of the day to minimize excessive heat gain so you turn on the AC less! Open your windows after sunset to reduce your indoor temperature and try to get cross-ventilation going with a fan in the window. Ceiling fans and whole house fans are also great! Try to reduce your overall energy usage during peak hours. That means you need to do your laundry, or use other large appliances after 7 P.M. (and early in the morning)
We need to recycle more bottles, cans and paper products, but did you know you should also recycle batteries and computer equipment? Most of these products contain some kind of hazardous waste, or heavy metal that can harm the environment if they're thrown into the landfill. Most cities, or counties have "cleanup days" and designated drop off sites for things like e-waste and household hazardous waste. Check out city, county and state websites to find out more about these kinds of programs. Remember to properly dispose of unused paints, stains and household chemicals.
Other ways to save energy abound. If you plan ahead, you can make a big difference. Combine errands and tasks so you drive less. Gas prices are insanely high, so we need to find ways to reduce our energy usage. Carpool when you can and use public transit. You would be surprised how many options are available. Ride your bike to work if you can. Find creative solutions to life's problems.
CHECK IT OUT:
You can check your local utility's web site to find out about other ways to save energy and protect the environment. In California, P G & E has information on this and many programs/rebates you can benefit from.
This area of the web site for California Nature Photos is also intended to be a forum to facilitate education about Nature and wildlife. Below you'll find topics on wildlife viewing and other tips to help make your time outdoors more enjoyable and safe.
WILDLIFE VIEWING:
There are a few basic rules of thumb to remember when going out into Nature to view, or photograph animals. First, you want to make sure you don't disturb, or affect the behavior of the animals you're watching. If they notice you and take action to get away, then you've come too close. For your own safety, never get too close to a wild animal. It's best to use a viewing scope, or zoom lens to watch animals and their behaviors at a distance. If we disturb animals in the wild, we may keep them from getting needed rest, or we may cause them to use energy they need to get away from a predator, or survive some other hardship. The world is full of hardships for animals and we have destroyed much of their natural habitat, so we have to be sensitive to their needs.
Another important thing to remember is we need to walk carefully in sensitive areas and respect, or obey signs that mark open spaces off limits due to habitat restoration and other management practices. Always consider there may be endangered animals and plants around, so tread lightly. Never take plants, animals or even rocks home with you. Don't disturb the natural environment and leave it as you found it for others to enjoy.
OUTDOOR BASICS:
Here are a few tips to remember when preparing to go hiking, biking, or when doing other outdoor activities. First and foremost, always travel with a friend and tell someone else where you're going, or your basic itinerary. It may seem like a no brainer, but always put on sunscreen 30 minutes before you're going to be in the sun and reapply during the day, especially if you've been sweating. Carry more drinking water than you think you need and always be prepared with proper footwear / gear. It's a good idea to bring a map, GPS unit, or compass if you are going off the beaten path and a cell phone can save your life if you get lost. Even if you don't have cellular reception, you can still hit 911 and there's a decent chance your ping will get through to the authorities.
Always carry some food, or energy bars etc. with you, because you never know what can happen out there and you should be prepared. We never plan to fail, but often fail to plan! If you're going up to the mountains in Winter, always bring tire chains, extra warm gear like jackets and boots, so you can get out of bad situations. An emergency blanket is always a good thing to put in the car during these kinds of trips and as mentioned before, make sure to bring plenty of food and water.
It's a good idea to have an emergency kit for your vehicle when you travel. A flashlight should be in your kit and some basic tools like pliers and screwdrivers. There are also inexpensive jumper cables out now with their own battery attached to them so you can start your car in the middle of nowhere if the battery gets run down. I have this setup in my truck and I've used it twice and let some other guy use it once too! I wouldn't go anywhere without it. I also suggest getting a small air compressor for your vehicle that works off your cigarette lighter, or as with the jumper cables, you can get ones now with their own rechargable battery attached. They can help you put air in your flat tire, or fill up an air mattress when you go camping. I keep one of these in my truck too. The bottom line is that you should take whatever you need to be prepared for the outdoors. There are many other precautions you can take to be safe when you travel.
There are many aspects to Education and Conservation of Wildlife. Here in California we lead the way, but there's still work to do. We can develop more ways to protect Nature and the animals around us if we care enough to get involved. Many of the best solutions are easy and simple! If we work together to save the plants and animals around us, then the work becomes lighter. Many hands make the work light!
In California there are many places to visit and learn about Nature and Wildlife. Many of our State Parks and Regional Preserves have education programs and hands on training, like trail maintenance, or stream cleanups. I suggest looking into the many options out there in your neck of the woods. You can find wildlife museums and guided Nature walks. You can see beautiful streams, meadows, wildflowers and much more right in your own back yard. Take a look around and enjoy yourself!
California Nature Photos is dedicated to helping protect the environment. We want Nature and Wildlife to flourish. Other tips and information will be posted on this page as time allows! To get back to the home page click below, or use this link: www.CaliforniaNaturePhotos.com
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