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Author Archives: Len Mckenzie

Noted Wildlife Photographer Shares Secrets To Great Photos

Contributed by Len McKenzie — One of the pleasures of living in the western United States is our proximity to a rich abundance and diversity of wildlife, both large and small. While sharing outdoor space with some species can sometimes be challenging, and occasionally even threatening, for people, particularly in urban and suburban neighborhoods, opportunities to view wildlife in natural, ...

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Audubon Features Foothills Conservation In April Program

Contributed by Len McKenzie, YAAS — The rolling foothills of the western Sierra Nevada encompass a richly diverse and scenic natural and cultural heritage. The Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC), a local land trust founded in 1996 in Fresno County, now plays a significant role in protecting the natural resources, working lands, cultural traditions and rural character of this area’s expansive ...

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YAAS Presents Living With Wildlife Program In Oakhurst

Contributed by Len McKenzie — Californians, particularly in rural areas such as the Sierra foothills, are generally familiar with the pleasures and the challenges of living with wildlife. While viewing animals at close range, especially species not commonly seen, is usually exciting, some critters who live or venture close to our homes can become “problem” animals or nuisances, and occasional ...

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Audubon Showcases Diverse Life In Vernal Pools

Contributed by Len McKenzie — Generous rains this winter have spawned a luxuriant rebirth of plant life in the Sierra foothills and Central Valley, greening up the landscape and bringing renewed vigor to its ecosystems. Beneficiaries of this largesse include the picturesque and biologically rich vernal pools that are a distinctive hallmark of this remarkable setting. The Yosemite Area Audubon ...

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Audubon Program Showcases Ugandan Wildlife

Contributed by Len McKenzie — OAKHURST — Here’s the event we’ve all been waiting for, as it was cancelled last week due to inclement weather and is now scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19. Sierra foothill residents who have enjoyed Mariposan Matthew Matthiessen’s slide programs for the Yosemite Area Audubon Society (YAAS) or other local organizations know the John C. Fremont ...

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Matthiessen Features “Birds of Ecuador” In Audubon Program

MARIPOSA — Yosemite Area Audubon will offer Sierra foothill residents another virtual birding experience in an exotic locale at its monthly program in Mariposa on Thursday, Dec. 8. Birder and photographer extraordinaire Matthew Matthiessen, an engaging storyteller and world-class photographer who has previously captivated local audiences with entertaining slide talks featuring his birding adventures in Peru, Brazil, Cuba, Ethiopia and ...

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Audubon Program Features Matthiessen’s “Birds of Borneo”

Contributed by Len McKenzie, YAAS — Exotic birds, tropical rainforests, orangutans, the largest flower on earth—what better way to spend a cold February evening than to visit, through words and pictures, a place with all these and more? Mariposa resident Matthew Matthiessen, a captivating storyteller and world-class photographer who has previously regaled local audiences with slide talks featuring the birds ...

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Mariposa Farm & Ranch Tour Saturday, Sept. 26

Contributed by Len McKenzie MARIPOSA – Alpacas, foothill wines, hard apple cider, sustainably grown local vegetables and artisanal olive oils will share the spotlight this weekend on the 2015 Mariposa Farm & Ranch Tour, a project of the nonprofit Mariposa AgriNature Association. Scheduled from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, this year’s tour will showcase five county growers’ ...

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Mariposa Farm & Ranch Tour Celebrates County’s Ag Traditions

Submitted by Len McKenzie MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Mariposa AgriNature Association invites all county residents and visitors to participate in this year’s Farms & Ranches project at the properties of several local agricultural producers on Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Featured locations on the tour will include CostaLivos Mountain Gold Olive Oils in downtown Mariposa, Sierra ...

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Yellowstone Wolves Highlight Audubon Program

Steven Sage, a teenage student with a passion for wolves and experience in Yellowstone-area wolf research, will share his knowledge and love for these iconic animals at the May program of the Yosemite Area Audubon Society. Sage will present a slide show, “Wolves: A Keystone Species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Oakhurst ...

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