Not considered a beautiful bird, the common Turkey Vulture, a scavenger, is an important part of the Deer Creek ecosystem. They do the dirty work of…… Read more “Turkey Vulture – Carrion Cleaner”
Grizzly Entertainment & California Bear Extinction
“The grizzlies are the commonest kind of bear found in California, and are very large animals, weighing sometimes sixteen or eighteen hundred pounds.” “Hunting them is rather…… Read more “Grizzly Entertainment & California Bear Extinction”
Scurvy in California’s Food Capital
By the 1750’s it was well understood that eating citrus fruit prevented scurvy. “Yet the 1849ers, in their rush to riches, chose to ignore common wisdom (fresh fruit…… Read more “Scurvy in California’s Food Capital”
Invasive Species Choke Natives – Blackberry, Hydrilla, Scotch Broom, Starthistle, Mussels & Moths
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-ftiWffNTc The California Floristic Province is considered a world biodiversity hotspot. It contains a large number of ecosystems that include alpine forest, mixed evergreen forest, riparian forest,…… Read more “Invasive Species Choke Natives – Blackberry, Hydrilla, Scotch Broom, Starthistle, Mussels & Moths”
Jenny Lind Dramatic Hall & Deer Creek Floods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_RTh7PqCwg 1851: Summer “A theatre was erected by C. Lovell and others over Deer Creek, on the lower line of Main Street.” 1852: March “The storm changed…… Read more “Jenny Lind Dramatic Hall & Deer Creek Floods”
Ustumah, Deer Creek Dry Diggings & Nevada City
The Nisenan people called the area Ustumah. August 1849: According to, California Place Name, Deer Creek was named by Isaac Wistar and Mr. Hunt after leaving a…… Read more “Ustumah, Deer Creek Dry Diggings & Nevada City”
Timbuctoo / Smartsville / Mooney Flat – Hydraulic Mining and the First Environmental Law
Although the Mooney Flat is nearest to where Deer Creek enters the Yuba River, we’re including Smartsville and Timbuctoo in our history because immigrants and mining activities…… Read more “Timbuctoo / Smartsville / Mooney Flat – Hydraulic Mining and the First Environmental Law”
Bobcat – Lynx Rufus – Shy Rodent Controllers Susceptible to Rat Poison
In Nevada County, we are mostly unaware of the small solitary wild cats that control rodent populations. Their stumpy tails inspired the common name – bobcat. Rufus,…… Read more “Bobcat – Lynx Rufus – Shy Rodent Controllers Susceptible to Rat Poison”
Spiders – Organic Pest Management with Strong Silk
Spiders have been the earth’s most common land predator for over 400 million years. New research estimates that the combined weight of all spiders on the planet (as of…… Read more “Spiders – Organic Pest Management with Strong Silk”
