Shane Brown is a lifelong naturalist and the caretaker at Big Oak Canyon, Earthroots 39-acre property in Silverado, California. This blog is a highlight reel of his experiences at Big Oak Canyon.
Wow, a lot has happened in a month! As our reality shifts with the unfolding pandemic, so too does the natural world undergo drastic changes as the days grow long and the plants and baby birds grow with vigor. Migrant birds such as Townsend’s warbler have been coming through, and I heard the first call of the pacific-slope flycatcher, a sound that will persist all summer, on March 14. As Earthroots has suspended in-person classes, and people are urged to stay home, I have been privileged to continue caretaking Big Oak Canyon. My focus has been, more than ever, on utilizing the resources that I have right at hand, and building resilience in doing so. I have spent time foraging, building up the gardens to grow food at Big Oak, and using the food I already have. I have also started a YouTube channel! Amidst the fear and grief that accompanies the pandemic and economic situation, I have had a lot of time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me and feel well and full of vigor. Here’s a look at some happenings both before and after the lockdown went into effect.
Big Oak Canyon Highlights
Projects
Trivia
Answers for last month:
What was the main economic activity for the first homesteaders in Silverado and nearby canyons?
-beekeeping
What common bird of the canyons goes into a state of torpor in the winter, and is named for the call that it makes?
-common poorwill
What kind of plant can become completely desiccated and spring back to full vigor in minutes after rain?
-moss
This month’s questions:
What two kinds of insects are known to live only on yucca?
What kind of local bird builds a long tube or sock-shaped nest?
What native fish used to migrate up the local creeks, like Silverado and Trabuco, in times of high water to lay their eggs?
Comment below with your answers!
