After observing something in the field, and then uploading to iNaturalist I often craved to explore, learn, and understand the creature, insect, plant or topic at a deeper level.
This is a collection of my findings.
Drive, Drive Drive to Howell’s Tauschia
This rare plant sure made us drive, drive, drive to reach it, reminding us it really is all about the journey. Come along on the journey of appreciation for the small and spikey Howell’s Tauschia.
Two New Species of Nudibranch Described from California
Unlike my last new species post (April Fools, if you didn’t notice the date ;), these two new species are real, and they live right off the coast where many of us tide pool: Doto urak and Doto kwakwak. Neither of these species in the Doto family are very common and only have a few…
Three months in Humboldt County, CA, what us two Nomadic Naturalists got up to
You can do a lot with three months based in Humboldt county, California, even during the fall and winter. If photographing rare insects, parasitic fungi, and recaps on our ongoing Nomadic Naturalist projects sounds intriguing, read on.
Hearts in Nature, because we all need a lil love nowadays
A second round collection of hearts I’ve found in nature has arrived. This time with more meaning. I hope you enjoy the lil stories and context to where each was found, then go out and find your own.
Ahh the things we’ll do for an onion….
What would you do to observe a new-to-you rare onion? Well, on this day in May of 2024 we put in a lot of miles, beat up our car, beat up our muscles, and would do it again for the Minnesota Mountain Onion.
A Very Snail-y Spring, BioBlitzing SoCal’s Rare Snails
We didn’t set out to see as many snails this winter and spring as possible, but that’s what happened. Southern California’s rare snails got some extra attention this year. It was lovely meeting and photographing some of them.
Winter Nudis. Sea slugs from ’23-’24 winter in San Diego, California
Curious about what sea slugs can be found during the winter in SoCal? Here are the slugs we found while tidepooling in San Diego this winter. Hint: lots of tiny cuties!
Baja Buddies: the Boojum Tree & Cacti
While driving through Baja California the Boojum tree, and the tall and lanky cacti really stood out in the diverse landscape. If interested in exploring their desert adaptations or just admiring the photos, this post is definitely worth your time.
California’s Flaming-Trumpet, Collomia rawsoniana
Some botanical trips take us to the most random and remote parts of California. This beautiful and elusive plant was no different! The Flaming-Trumpet, Collomia rawsoniana is truly a botanical beauty!
Floral Friday: Ramshaw Meadows sand verbena, Abronia alpina
A sand verbena in the alpine of the Sierra Nevada Mountains? What? It’s pink and purple, and forms a beautiful little cluster? Read all about this fascinating plant worth a backpacking trip to meet. Let me introduce you to Abronia alpina.
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Chloe Van Loon's Nature Blog 
Thanks for the great blog! I arrived at it while reading the book Grass Beyond the Mountains by Richard Hobson. (1951) He writes about his experience dreaming of going to Itchas from Wyoming in the 1930s and then travelling with his friend there. Is an amazing read. All the moose that they must hunt and their quest to find them in the Itchas, the cariboo, wolves and extreme cold. And the stories of the people who lived in the area. probably less than 12. and how truly friendly the “beer parlours” were in Williams Lake with a population of 500 people. If you have not read the book, I heartily suggest it….
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Thank you Barry! I much appreciate you taking the time to read my post and leave this great comment. Since writing this post I have read Grass Beyond that Mountains, and absolutely loved it! I plan to read it a few more times, perhaps before or after visiting the Itchas again. As you alluded to it would have been such an interesting, exciting and tough time to live out there. Truly rough and tough people! I plan to one day read Richard’s other books, as I’ve also heard great things about those accounts. So fun to be transported back to that time, even if I have no experience wrangling cattle, I enjoy it all nonetheless!
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