Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Field Guide to the Birds of North America
The “Field Guide to the Birds of North America” was first introduced to me by my brother, who is a Field Biologist for San Bernardino County. At the time, the two of us were camping along the 395 Highway on the Eastern Sierra, He brought his copy in the hopes of seeing some new bird species. After a few days of camping, we stopped at the visitors center at Mono Lake where I purchased by copy. Since then, this book is taken on every trip I take out of the city.
My copy of the third edition features over 800 species of birds all organized by family. The description for each bird contains an illustration by sex, descriptions and distribution map along with many variations and subspecies.
The 7th edition currently contains a total of 1,023 species, which is roughly 20% more than my much older copy. The latest version contains revisions in taxonomy revised to reflect the radical new American Ornithological Society taxonomy established in 2016. The update of taxonomy is the reason for the additions, so at some point I will break down to purchase the new version.
Whenever I go on a trip, I pull out the maps that I will need to explore the area. I also look for a bird watching checklist which typically contain a list of bird known to be in the area. These lists will make it dramatically easier narrow down birds you are looking for, and help in your identification.
Bird Watching
People engage in birdwatching for a multitude of reasons, each deeply personal and rewarding I personally enjoy listening to the birds while camping:
- Appreciation of Nature: Birdwatching allows people to connect with the natural world, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of birds and their habitats.
- Relaxation and Stress Relief: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Birdwatching provides an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse oneself in the peacefulness of natural surroundings.
- Physical Activity: Birdwatching often involves walking or hiking, providing a gentle form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
- Mental Stimulation: Identifying birds and learning about their behaviors, habitats, and calls can be mentally stimulating and intellectually rewarding.
- Community and Social Connection: Birdwatching can be a social activity, providing opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for birds and the environment.
- Conservation Awareness: Birdwatching can foster a sense of environmental stewardship by raising awareness about the importance of preserving habitats and protecting bird species and their ecosystems.
- Adventure and Exploration: Birdwatching often takes enthusiasts to new and exciting locations, encouraging exploration and a sense of adventure.
- Photography and Artistic Expression: Many birdwatchers enjoy capturing images of birds through photography or expressing their observations through various forms of artistic expression, such as drawing or painting.
Overall, birdwatching offers a myriad of benefits that cater to both physical and mental well-being while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
Book Summary
| Name | Field Guide to the Birds of North America |
| Author | Jonathon Alderfer |
| Publisher | National Geographic |
| Edition | 7th Edition |
| Pages | 592 Pages |
Resources
Cerro Gordo (Images of America)
High in the Inyo Mountains, between Owens Valley and Death Valley National Park, lies the ghost town of Cerro Gordo. Discovered in 1865, this silver town boomed to a population of 3,000 people in the hands of savvy entrepreneurs during the 1870s. As the silver played out and the town faded, a few hung on to the dream. By the early 1900s, Louis D. Gordon wandered up the Yellow Grade Road where freight wagons once traversed with silver and supplies and took a closer look at the zinc ore that had been tossed aside by early miners. The Fat Hill lived again, primarily as a small company town. By the last quarter of the 20th century, Jody Stewart and Mike Patterson found themselves owners of the rough and tumble camp that helped Los Angeles turn into a thriving metropolis because of silver and commercial trade. Cerro Gordo found new life, second to Bodie, as California’s best-preserved ghost town.
About the Author
Roger W. Vargo and Cecile Page Vargo are a husband-wife historian team who photograph, write about, and guide tours to historic areas. They have volunteered and worked in both Bodie and Cerro Gordo. Histories and images have been collected from public, personal, and private archives.
Book Summary
| Title | Cerro Gordo (Images of America) |
| Author | Cecile Page Vargo, Roger W. Vargo |
| Publisher | Arcadia Publishing |
| Pages | 130 Pages |
Robert Findley McLaury
Robert Findley McLaury, known as Frank McLaury (1857–1881) was a notable figure in the American Old West, primarily remembered for his involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Born in 1857 in the town of Belton, Texas, McLaury, whose birth name was Frank McLowery, was the youngest of four siblings. His family moved to Arizona Territory in the early 1870s, seeking new opportunities.
In Tombstone, Frank, along with his brothers Tom and an associate, Ike Clanton, became known for their involvement in various outlaw activities. The McLaury brothers were cattle ranchers and occasionally engaged in rustling, which contributed to their controversial reputation.
The most notable event in Frank McLaury’s life was the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which occurred on October 26, 1881. This 30-second shootout between the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan) and their ally Doc Holliday against the Clanton-McLaury faction is one of the most famous confrontations in Western history. The clash was fueled by longstanding tensions between the two groups, primarily over control of the town and its surrounding cattle interests.
During the gunfight, Frank McLaury, who was armed and prepared for confrontation, was killed alongside his brother Tom McLaury. Frank’s death, along with the broader context of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, played a significant role in shaping the legendary status of Tombstone and its associated figures.
Frank McLaury’s legacy is largely defined by this dramatic episode in Western history, contributing to the enduring mythology of the American frontier. His life and death continue to be subjects of fascination and speculation in both historical accounts and popular culture.
References
The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America)
The image of 20 mules hauling a train of wagons was once as popular as the golden arches are today. Everyone knew what it meant. It was the trademark of Pacific Coast Borax’s most famous product, a laundry additive called Twenty Mule Team Borax. The company’s advertising was dependent on one important fact: the connection between the Twenty Mule Team and America’s most notorious desert, Death Valley. From 1883 to 1888, teams of mules and wagons hauled borax out of the famed valley on the California-Nevada border. During those years, the teams were not famous; they were just a common means of transportation. After all, it was not the first time 20 mules hauled borax and it was not the longest or the most treacherous path. So what happened? How did this common form of transportation (the big-rig truck of its day) become transformed into an American icon? That is the story of this book.
About the Author
Ted Faye is a documentary filmmaker whose company, Gold Creek Films, specializes in stories of the West. Ted develops touring information, including audio CDs, signage, and brochures. He also helps communities to find and tell their stories. Ted was the historian to US Borax, and many images from this book are from the Borax collection at Death Valley National Park.
Book Summary
| Title | The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America) |
| Author | Ted Faye |
| Publisher | Arcadia Publishing |
| Pages |
William Harrison ClantonÂ
William Harrison Clanton also known as Billy Clanton was an American outlaw known for his involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Born in 1856 in the Arizona Territory, he was the son of a Confederate veteran, which shaped much of his early life and affiliations.
Clanton’s family, including his brothers Frank and Ike, were cattle ranchers and became involved in various conflicts with local law enforcement and other groups. Billy Clanton, along with his brothers and their associates, became entangled in the intense and often violent disputes that characterized the lawless frontier era of the American West.
The most notable event in Clanton’s life was his participation in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona. This legendary shootout was a pivotal confrontation between the Clanton gang and the Earp brothers, along with Doc Holliday. The conflict emerged from longstanding tensions between the two groups, who clashed over issues of law and order and local influence.
During the gunfight, Billy Clanton, Frank Clanton, and Tom McLaury, who were associated with the Clanton faction, faced off against the Earp brothers and Holliday. The shootout lasted only about 30 seconds but resulted in the deaths of Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury. The incident cemented the Earps’ and Holliday’s reputations as legendary figures in the Old West and marked a significant moment in the history of law enforcement in the region.
Billy Clanton’s life was cut short at the age of 25, but his legacy lives on as a symbol of the tumultuous and often violent nature of frontier life in the American West. The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral remains one of the most famous events in Western history, and Clanton’s role in it continues to be a subject of interest and debate among historians and enthusiasts.
References