Even though the summer heat is stifling, there is still a world of natural wonders to be enjoyed. Here on the valley floor, wildlife is active in the morning, but moribund by afternoon: the gray squirrels hanging out in dirt scrapes at the base of oaks, the deer deep in riparian patches, and most other animals difficult to be found.
Interestingly we have (yet another) new weed now inhabiting Shasta County that follows this same morning-active pattern—a beautiful flower with the common name of mud-plantain. The plants flower just after dawn, but every single flower is wilted by midday, never to open again.
We are trying to follow a similar morning-active pattern for Chapter activities: we have two early morning, high-elevation field trips on schedule for July, and hope that you will retreat inside in the afternoons—perhaps to write your comment letter regarding the Redding Riverfront Specific Plan? And, of course, to pay tribute to active Chapter members Gary Matson and Winfield Mowder, who were murdered 25 years ago.
Get out, enjoy, and get home quickly! ~Don Burk, President
