Photos and Stories from the field by our AmeriCorps, Anna Shampain.
This photo was taken at Waldo Bridge at the Spenceville Wildlife Area during a drizzly day last week. The oak woodland had come alive with the rains and there were so many bird calls as we walked Dry Creek looking for salmon carcasses and redds.
After our first big rainstorm of the season (hooray!) we noticed that ladybug had clustered on the undersides of the trees and shrubs banking Deer Creek near downtown Nevada City. Ladybugs form these aggregations to conserve energy during the winter months when their aphid supply declines. Such a cool natural phenomenon to witness!
This photo is from another reference site on Oregon Creek where we collect macro invertebrate, algae, and water quality samples. There were the most beautiful fall colors banking the streams. We walked into the river canyon early in the morning and while we were sampling the sun started pouring into the canyon, making the whole scene glow.
Anna Shampain is our River Scientist AmeriCorps member.