Submitted by Clyde Farnsworth COARSEGOLD — Bird watching appeals to many in the foothills. Some birds seem to be passing by, while others seem to be escaping the cold. In the latter category we have steller’s jay (with the crest on head). Another “stranger” is in the attached photo. Anyone have a name for this variety? Clyde Farnsworth is a ...

January 14 is National Dress Your Pet Day and Sally has been preparing for this big day for quite some time. In case your dog or cat hasn’t chosen their outfit for the big day, Sally wanted to help give you some ideas. I did quite a bit of research for this blog and learned that people not only dress ...

Contributed by Yosemite Area Audubon Society – “No one who has ever seen wild California condors circling majestically among the clouds will ever forget the riveting nature of the experience or question why we, as a society, should make every effort possible to promote the full recovery of this species,” wrote Noel and Helen Snyder, authors of Introduction to the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – So you’re driving along minding your own business, eyes on the road, hands at 10 and 2, not texting or eating a sandwich, and you get caught up in an accident and are whisked away to the hospital. Or you suffer some type of medical episode, and end up in the emergency room. That scenario is bad ...

Submitted by Robin Bell – Friends of Madera Animal Shelter  MADERA COUNTY — Foster homes needed to help dogs and puppies! An outbreak of distemper is affecting the health of many dogs at the Madera County Animal Shelter. This disease spreads easily through contact with bodily fluids including urine, vomit and nasal discharge from one dog to another. Madera County ...

Rain or shine, we all love our pets. This holiday season, while you’re busy decorating, cooking, and wrapping gifts, remember to watch out for holiday temptations for your pets. FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper talks about ways to keep your animals safe. Stocking stuffers and pet treats: If your dog receives a stocking full of pet treats, make sure he doesn’t ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – Bird lovers, photographers and others are invited to join the National Audubon Society’s 116th Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC is an annual international bird census that began on Christmas Day in 1900, and now takes place in more than 1,500 locations throughout the Americas. This season the Christmas Bird Count will be held in the foothill ...

OAKHURST – It was a perfect day for an outing of this sort, agreed the dog, the cat, the lizard, the snake, the bunny and the chicken. Nothing like an all-inclusive animal event to benefit the Eastern Madera County SPCA (EMC SPCA) and its ongoing efforts to build a shelter in Oakhurst. About 175 people came out to the Oakhurst ...

NORTH FORK – A mountain lion that has repeatedly preyed on local livestock since last spring was euthanized overnight in the vicinity of Wyle Ranch Road near North Fork, according to Federal trapper Randy Partch. The lion’s remains have been transported to Fresno where authorities with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will perform tests including a necropsy. ...

YOSEMITE – Four rescued fisher (Martes pennanti) kits were released yesterday north of the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. This historic reintroduction was a cooperative effort between the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW), Fresno-Chaffee Zoo, and the Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation. The reintroduction aims to increase the long term viability of the declining ...