Welcome back to Field Notes!
July 1, 2026
Red-flowering Currants. The Ribes sanguineum is producing fruit! This hardy, deciduous shrub is native to western North America, attracts pollinators, and is a highly valued landscape plant for native ecosystems (we have several of them in the side and front yards). The shrub produces vibrant clusters of spring blossoms in red or deep pink, spicy-scented foliage, and dark purple-to-black berries in summer. Birds and wildlife love the berries, but they are a little bland to human taste, compared to true fruiting currants. However, I'm wondering if they would produce natural dye for a future project!
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| Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) |
July 4, 2026 🎆
America's 250th Anniversary. Today we're celebrating America's semi-quincentennial anniversary. The anniversary commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when the thirteen American colonies declared their freedom from British rule. This milestone reflects the founding ideals of liberty, equality, and self-governance, and honors the efforts of the Founding Fathers and early Americans who fought for independence and established the United States as a republic. We'll be attending a BBQ at the Pardee Home Museum in Oakland. The Pardee House is the historic home of California's Governor George Pardee (1903-1906). Ragtime and period music is to be provided by Frederick Hodges.
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| America celebrates its 250th anniversary! |
Today is also the perfect day to get out my copy of National Review's American Classics, and read The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, and The Bill of Rights and Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. I try to do this annually to refresh my understanding of these documents, and reflect on their goals and ideals. They are a guiding light in a tumultuous time.
July 6, 2026
Party at the Pardee. My husband and I had a great time at the Fourth of July bash at Pardee House in Oakland. We joined friends John, Dale, and Ziva the Guide Dog at the barbeque and musical event. This was our first visit to the historic home and gardens.
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| Pardee Home Museum in Oakland |
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| Gate to the backyard and water tower (EBMUD 1.0) |
The bracketed Italianate villa was built in 1868 by Enoch Pardee, a gold rush immigrant to California who practiced medicine in San Francisco and Oakland and served as mayor of Oakland. He and his wife Mary had one son, George Pardee. George was also a physician, served as mayor of Oakland, Governor of California during the 1906 earthquake, and later lobbied for a water district in the East Bay. He was a long time President of East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), and resident of Oakland. The Pardee Dam was named to honor him, and is still a dominant water source for the region.
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| Picnic in the shade of two grand old oak trees |
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| Ragtime and 1920s music provided by Frederick Hodges |
Tours of the Victorian home and tea parties can be arranged, but they weren't available for the July 4th bash. We sat under the spreading branches of a couple of old oak trees, and feasted on delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, cold salads, corn-on-the-cob, chips and guacamole, baked beans, and delicious desserts. We enjoyed ragtime music from the turn-of-the century, played expertly by Frederick Hodges. My dad loved Scott Joplin music, and I recognized quite a few of the tunes (ragtime music also has an association with Goldrush Alaska, so I am also fond of it). The intimate gathering of about 60 people was a wonderful way to observe America's 250th anniversary!
July 9, 2026
OTHG Hike to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. This week's Over-the-Hills Gang hike was at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, the site of an ancient volcano that was active 10 million years ago. Mari and I joined the group, led by Anthony Fisher, while Gaymond is on safari in Tanzania! The weather was overcast, foggy, chilly, and even windy at times!
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| Enjoying "the view" in the heavy morning mist |
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| Hiking through the misty forest at Sibley Volcanic Regional Park |
Our route took us up Round Top Loop Trail, to the Volcanic Trail, and then to the Quarry Pit. The trails are nice and wide, so it's easy to amble along side-by-side and converse. I missed seeing some of the usual views along the trail, but I enjoyed the moist air and moody fog swirling in the oak and eucalyptus trees. We shared the trail with quite a few dog walkers and their dogs, and both seemed to be enjoying the cool, moist air. Our group had our mid-hike cookie break in the Quarry Pit. After a trip around the labyrinth, we feasted on an assortment of cookies for quick energy (lemon, peanut butter, and graham crackers). Life is good!
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| "Annika Zinsley loved this place." |
Mari and I topped off the hike at TGI Oni Sushi in Montclair Village for bento boxes, and great conversation. While there, Gaymond was able to get an early-morning internet connection from Tanzania, and we were able to see a few photos of his posh safari accommodations and the wildebeest migration! These hikes are so much fun, and the pace and company are excellent. Check the website to learn more about upcoming events at East Bay Regional Parks.
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| Intrepid hikers on a misty, windy morning at Sibley |
July 12, 2026
Fauna and Rocks at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. While at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, we spotted an assortment of interesting plants, flowers, birds, insects, and geological formations. Here are a couple of snapshots.
This Black Swallowtail caterpillar looks like it is wearing a pair of yellow sunglasses on each segment! It is holding on tightly to a tall plant in the swaying breeze, possibly fennel. They love to dine on plants in the carrot family (Apiaceae) such as parsley, dill, fennel, and carrot tops.
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| Black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) |
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| Orinda Formation river gravels, sands, and mudstones |
The Sibley Volcanic Regional Park Welcome Center has a series of informative signs and exhibits that describe the ancient volcano and its natural history, and provide samples of the various rocks and formations in the park. A series of signs deeper into the park provide additional information. The description at the site in above photo describes "redbeds", or streaks and layers in river beds that were caused by oxidation of iron in the sediments. Redbeds sometimes contain fossils of plants and animals.
July 15, 2026
Heading for Alaska. A group of us is heading to Juneau, Alaska to celebrate my Dad's life! He died in December 2025, and July seems like the perfect time to celebrate his life. Dad was born on July 28, 1928, and would have turned 98 this month. My husband Rick, Aunt Char, and I are flying together on Alaska Airlines, and my sister Marianne, and my two nieces (Sarah and Thea) are flying from Oregon.
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| Heading for Juneau, Alaska for a celebration of Dad's life |
July 16, 2026
Beaver Patrol. It is great to be in Juneau, Alaska again! We're staying with Mom in our childhood home, with different family members flying in and departing on different days. Needless to say it is wonderful to be together!
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| The official Beaver Patrol headgear |
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| Trail system with access to beaver ponds |
My sister Marianne and I joined our brother Dave on Beaver Patrol out at Dredge Lake (where we used to swim and find tadpoles and tiny toads in our childhood). Beavers are an important part of the ecosystem in this area and they co-exist with housing developments and wooded areas near Mendenhall Glacier.
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| Cleaning out part of the pond-leveling system |
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| Dave describes how pond-leveling works |
Dave and his team keep tabs on beaver activity, and keep the beaver dams from flooding using a pond-leveling system. Complicating the effort is the annual build of water and flooding of the jökulhlaup (or glacial outburst flood) from Suicide Basin behind Mendenhall Glacier. Marianne and I had a great time meeting the team and walking the trails with them. We saw beaver dams, lodges, scent mounds, and more (but no beavers). Dave is a retired biologist and very knowledgeable. We ended the day with taco chips and dips, enchiladas, refried beans, green salad, and ice cream sundaes.
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| Marianne by a work-in-progress |
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| A glorious slime mold (possibly Brefeldia maxima, or tapioca slime mold) |
July 17, 2026
Jensen-Olson Arboretum. The weather has turned sunny, warm and beautiful. When that happens, Juneau-ites head outdoors! My nieces Sarah and Thea arrived on a morning flight from Oregon, and our whole group headed out the road to the beautiful Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Pearl Harbor. It is an old homestead that opens its doors to visitors, eager to see the beautiful gardens and spectacular views. Many plants are in full bloom by mid-July.
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| Entering the Jensen-Olson Arboretum |
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| Mom and Aunt Char enjoying the garden |
We spent a relaxing afternoon at the arboretum, and it felt like time had suspended! We ended the outing with a short drive to Eagle Beach to see the Chilkat Mountains, and then returned home for a delicious meal of crab dip on crackers, smoked black cod, baked potatoes, green salad, and ice cream sundaes. Yum!
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| Kitchen garden with a view |
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| Rick enjoying the view |
July 19, 2026
Wildlife Cruise. Another beautiful day! This time our group took a wildlife and whale watching cruise, a fund raiser sponsored by the Juneau Symphony. Our catamaran left from Auke Bay and cruised around Shelter Island.
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| The busy marina at Auke Bay |
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| Heading out into the bay |
The cruise included snacks, music played by several musicians from the symphony, and a silent auction with some pretty awesome items. We saw lots of whales and birds, and just enjoyed the warm weather, great company, and beautiful weather.
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| A small gathering of symphony musicians |
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| Looking for whales and wildlife with a 360 degree view |
We ended the adventure with dinner at Canton Asian Bistro and lots of great conversation!
July 22, 2026
Macauley's Fish Hatchery at Salmon Creek. On the way home from our last dinner together at The Hangar on the Wharf, Dave, Mom, Aunt Char, Rick and I stopped at the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery. I had never visited the hatchery, and found it so interesting. The fish have returned to breed and finish their life cycle.
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| Sculpture of a mama bear and her three cubs at the hatchery |
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| Birdseye view of the fish ladder leading to the hatchery |
I'm pretty sure that Mr. Macauley was my seventh grade science teacher many years ago. He provided our class with an introduction to the scientific method and the fun of exploration. Great to see he has used his training and knowledge increase the fish population!
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| Window into the fish ladder journey |
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| The terminus of the journey |
July 23, 2026
Heading for Home. Our time in Juneau has come to an end. Our family had such a great time together exploring, enjoying life, and getting caught up with each other. The celebration of Dad's life was perfect, as we shared memories, music, and a delicious meal of Mexican food at Mar y Sol (Dad would have loved it)!
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| Returning to Oakland, California |
Rick and I are flying out today and are looking forward to seeing our son Jason and Bobo the Husky. Aunt Char is staying on with Mom for another week, so we will see her again soon in the San Francisco Bay Area. Looking forward to that since we have some August birthdays to celebrate!
July 27, 2026
Cooking with Mushrooms. For my latest adventure in cooking with mushrooms, I made portobello mushroom burgers with all the fixings. Portobello (also spelled portabella) is not a distinct species, but the fully mature, opened-cap version of the white button and cremini mushrooms. The scientific name for the mushroom is Agaricus bisporus.
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| Medium sized portobello mushrooms from the grocery store |
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| Marinating the mushrooms |
I followed a recipe that called for marinating the mushrooms in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic and herbs, and then either grilling, broiling, or frying and topping with cheese. I had intended to just make mushroom burgers, but had requests from the family to include beef patties as well. I served both on a bun with tomatoes, lettuce, and the usual condiments to taste. Yum - perfect summer fare!
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| Portobello and beef burger, served with cantaloupe and potato salad |
July 31, 2026 🌞
Landscape Maintenance. Time for summer cleanup, and lots of outdoor living. By now, many of the annuals are spent (except for a few California Poppy and the Clarkia, which keep on blooming because of light irrigation). Most of the perennials are still in flower. I'm afraid that our vacation in Alaska wreaked havoc with our yard in July— all the foliage seemed to double in size during the ten days we were gone! That's OK - we will just move the tasks into August and September as needed. It is important to live life to the fullest, and not just work to death.
☐ Weed the garden paths and beds (ongoing task). Check the driveway for weeds developing in the cracks and remove them. Note: the paths and beds look pretty good, thanks to ongoing efforts, but I'm postponing the driveway cleanup portion of the task until August (fallout from our trip to Alaska)!
🗷 Cut back invasive ivy from the street, especially in the lower yard. Note: I was able to hard prune the ivy before we left for our trip.
☐ Trim the hedges in the side and lower yards. Note: the hedges look pretty good as they are, so I'll postpone until they start looking a little raggedy. Might be a good fall cleanup task.
☐ Prune the perennials in the front yard, such as Yarrow, Heuchera, Manzanita, Sea Thrift, Cotoneaster, and Juncus. Prune the native shrubs in the lower yard. Note: I'm also postponing the native shrub trimming until August (more fallout from our trip to Alaska).
☐ Add mulch or wood chips as needed. Note: ditto – postpone until August.
☐ Update: City of Oakland's annual vegetation inspection. I'm afraid I was too optimistic about being in good shape for the fire inspection. We got dinged on the "combustible grasses" near the house (we let them go to seed for the birds). We have 45 days to trim back the seed stalks. Fire safety is taken very seriously in this part of the country, for good reason. Surprisingly, the small wood pile that is close to the house was not an issue.
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