Winter in California has seen its share of extraordinary weather events and devastating losses from fire. In Santa Cruz County, there have been massive waves eroding the coastline and damaging seashore structures. There was even a tornado event that overturned cars in Scotts Valley. A related event occurred in Moss Landing when lithium-ion batteries burned at an energy storage plant, releasing clouds of microscopic particles of nickel, cobalt and manganese in the mudflats and tidal marshes at levels roughly 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal! Yikes!

Below are some soothing images from this winter. Mother Nature is indeed resilient, but we need to understand the messages she sends us, and work harder to protect what's left.

Coast redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) are some of the most unique and versatile tree species on Earth. Their ancestors have been on the planet for around 245 million years! How do organisms survive this long?  How do plants and animals adapt over a gazillion years? They must mutate! Let's look at some mutations that are visually very odd!

In the image above, it looks like a redwood tree growing off another redwood tree. The living tissue of the cambium layer (beneath the bark) contains unsprouted bud tissue that carries the tree's genetic material. So when the branch sprouts, in some circumstances, it begins to grow like another tree, moving upward toward the sun.

Nearly white-leaved albinos are another mutation. They are that way because of a rare genetic mix-up. The tree and its needles lack chlorophyll. They survive largely as parasites, mooching off the parent tree with which they share roots. They also contain heavy metals like cadmium, copper, and nickel.

What causes horizontal wavy ridges or curls on the bark and interior of a few coastal redwoods? 
Don’t know. Most likely it's a genetic mutation. These patterns can also be seen by neighboring redwood trees growing out of the same root system (clonal group).

What plant has the most base pairs?
The itty bitty fern called Tmesipteris oblanceolata, pictured below. It has a whopping 160 billion base pairs in its DNA. ​The redwood has 26.5 base pairs in its DNA.

The researchers collected T. oblanceolata from the island nation of New Caledonia. It’s just a few inches tall. 

​Everyone who lives in California knows—there’s too many people. Sure, there are beautiful remote parts of the state that feed the soul. However, it’s a challenge to find freedom, quiet, and space among a population of 39 million. After months of social interaction as a park docent and guide, I needed to recharge my batteries, and get the hell out of California.

Hubby and I hit the road, and over three weeks, and 6 states, we built memories of sunsets, scenery, wildlife, and grandkids (the other type of wildlife). The experience fulfilled an urge to connect with nature, and play.  Surprisingly, it was exhilarating when some highways were devoid of cars for miles!

​Below is a series of photos taken mostly in Montana, with no humans, cars, or buildings. Animal pics taken safely from the car. 

Fungi sense and respond to various stimuli such as light, chemicals, and touch. A relatively new discovery indicates they also have a connection to sound. Low frequency sounds seem to increase productivity of plants.
Sound waves can be used to stimulate growth of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil to enhance plant growth. ​It is the mycelium, those tiny white hairy tendrils, that responds to sound waves. 
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